The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-21
4 STORY FOR HUSBANDS.

AsAuOSuy ubWL lilo tllo aust. l-
JOAQUIN MILLER
4 STORY FOR HUSBANDS.
Mrs. Gray stood looking ont Of the
window. while her husband put on his
hat and gloves, preparatory to going
down town. They had just risen from
Q nicely-spread table, and the room was
neatly and tastefully furnished.
There was nc indication of poverty
there. yet Mrs. Gray's voice and man
ner were faltering as she asked for
some postage stamps.
How many?" asked her husband,
cnrtly.
Three will do. I thought 7 would
write to mother and the girls
did you W reckon up, my dear,
how much you spend for postage stamps
ia the course of q year?" asked Mr..
Gray, as he Lit his fragrant cigar.
We'll, let us see. You write ut least
FIVE letters . week, which is fifteen
cents, and fifty-two times fifteen are
seven dollars and eighty cents q yoar,
TO shy nothing Of paper and envelopes.
! haven't a correspondent in the world,
outside my business"
4Yourfriends, = said the wife, live near
you, while mine are in another state. Do
you wish me to give up writing to them ?"
and her face took on an extra tinge of
color.
BY no means. I merely mentioned
the cost Of the thing. But I must go.
Good-by..
albert, " she said timidly.
MI. Gray turned back.
Can you leave me five or six dollars?
] want to go down town to-day"
Five or six dollarsl" exclaimed MI.
Gray in establishment. what on
earth can you want with FIVE or six dol
lars??""
II knew you would wonder but I have
needed some money for q long time to
get q few necessary articles
II gave you two dollars last week"
Il know it; and / used it for materials
to work up for our church fair. u
Church fddlesticksl u said MI. Gray,
contemptuously. well, I can't see
what You need with five or six dollars"
Here is q list of what need," said
airs. Gray, handing q little slip Of pa
per to her husband:
One pair kid gloyes..............s2 90
One pair kid Shippers 9 "
Eight pair Balbriggan hose. ........ ..... l 90
cilesla 81
Crepe de lisse. ........ SO
Total rs IS
aCrepe de lisse! What is that?"
Fulfilling for the neck
will it wash?"
NO.
Il thought so. A sheer waste Of
money. What fools women arel What
would q mar think Of putting a piece Of
stiff, white, papery nothing around his
neck, that cost fifty cents? aud four
dollars for gloves and slippers? Well,
I must say, Annie, you are growing K
travAgant. ! pay for your dresses, bon
nets, and all the essentials, without a
murmur; that is" said he, with snndry
recollection to the contrary, when they
come within reasonable bounds. But
these little things-things which are of
no earthly ACCOUNT should think yeu
might do without"
They are what no lady can do with
ont. The slippers are to save my nice
walking boots. You yourself noticed
my gloves last Sunday, aud said you
detested q soiled or torn glove. Stock
ings are rather necessary in our land,
and
Say no more. But why is it that
these wants come all at once?"
For the simple reason that hitherto
/ have bought them myself, with money
earned by plain sewing. But since my
illness, in the autumn, it hurts my
side to sew much, and I have to give
it up"
Mrs. Gray enjoyed her husbands
Mortified look.
PLAIN sewing! Annie, I thought you
had more pride"
had too much pride to BEG of you
whatI could earn myself, " she said with
Home spirit.
Well, here is four dolalars and a half.
Try to make that do" And he hurried
Mrs. Gray sighed.
aHe q WE'LL" she said, "but men
seem to think women are like children
mot to be trusted with money!
Meanwhile Mr.. Gray was soliloquiz-
ing: Strange how extravagant wom-
en- are, Annie is Of the best in the
world, but she does not know the worth
of money any more than a child. That
four dollars and . half will be spent be-
fore night. Women can't keep mon
ey.
Mrs. Gray went down town, as in
tended; but she walked instead of rid
ing, in order to save her money. While
down, she felt faint and hungry from
her walk, siiis. would have liked q lunch,
but she had no money to spare.
down town to-day" asked Mi. Gray,
1t night.
Yes, she replied,
Spent every cent, III be bound"
jokingly.
No, I have exactly two cents left:
but I walked both ways, got no crepe
de lisse, and went without luncheon,
although faint with hunger"
Mr. Gray looked shocked.
Why did yon not come to me
because it was ont OF the way; and
because, to tell the truth, I felt too
cross"
Gross with me? 2
Yes, with ron" And poor Annie's
grievances burst forth.
10 b goins along the street hum