The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-10
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me?"
"You exaggerate the case, Annie.
Men and women are differently situated.
I should think you would be glad to be
saved the trouble OF earning livei.
hood.
But Just consider the disadvantages
Of an empty purse; Put yourself in my
place. How would you like it?"
Why, II I only had to ask. first.rate.
well, then, suppose you let me car
ry the pocket-took for week"
"All right. I'll do il, just to show
you that it is easy enough. Here's the
pocket. book" And he gave it into her
hand. ''But I'll take quarter first to
begin on"
What do you want of quarter9"
"Cigars."
"Wcll, here are two ten.cent pieces;
try to make that do. Did you ever
reckon up how much your cigars cost
you in the year. Let us see. You
smoke at least two day, at an aver
age Of ten cents piece, which
amounts to one dollar and fifty cents
. week. Now, fifty-two times one for
ty makes seventy-five dollars and eighty
cents year, to say nothing of those
you give your friends. A hundred dol
lars will scarcely cover your expenses
in that line"
"As our old friend, Abigail Stillman
says, who'd a. thunk it, said Mr.. Gray,
laughing; but he was surprised to find
the sum so large.
The next morning Mr.. Gray had
gone some distance from the house l,e-
fore he remembered that he had only
twenty five cents.
"I'll riik it, said he to himself; "per-
haps I'll not want to buy anything.
I'll show Annie that man can do with
out money"
Hello, Gray!" cried voice, inter-
rupting his reflections. "What is the
brain study about"
1t was his old friend, Frank Ray
mond. The two men had not met
since Mr.. Gray's marriage, and as Frank
was to remain in town for week, Mr..
Gray invited him home. He Int q cigar,
and handed its mate to Frank, as he
did this.
The two conversed of old times until
they reached Mr.. Gray's place of bust
ness, when they separated, Frank agree
ing to be at the Gray's at six o'clock.
Annie was apprised of his coming by u
note from her husband.
Going home that night, rs was his in
variable custom, he ran into Benton's
to buy some cigars. Benton was sur
prised to see him drop the dozen he had
taken up.
care they not good?" inquired the
dealer. ave think them our choicest. I"
"They are good. But OH second
thought I will not take any tonight"
Mr.. Gray had always purchased his
cigars as he ased them; but now he
wished he had a box al home. How
ever he decided to ask his wife for some
money, and run out and fill his case
without his friends knowledge. Twen-
ty-four hours had passed, and he had
already begun to experience feeling Of
shame, and disinclination to ask for
money. 4 thought of Annie crossed
his mind. "Pshaw! she doesn't huve to
treat friends to cigars" he muttered.
Frank Raymond was already at his
house, and Annie had a tempting little
supper for them; and Annie.was look
ing her prettiest.
When supper WAS over, he took An
ME aside and asked for dollar, which
she gave him grudgingly. Then he en-
cused himself for moment, and bought
some cigars. They were wretched af-
fairs, however, and filled the house with
o villainous odor, for he had to get
them at new place, Benton's being
too for off.
The next day the two friends started
out together when Mr.. Gray, with an ais
of having forgotten something, said,
Excuse me- q minute"
"Ill go back with you if you have for
gotten anything" said Mr.. Raymond.
MIR. Cray clapped his hands on his
pocket. II thought I had forgotten
my pocket book, but /! haven't,
he said $50 It's all right" AND
then lie hurried OH, his cheeks
tingling with shame at the deceit. Bnt
he could not risk having his friend &c
back with him and stand by while he
asked for money.
Mr.. Gray was lucky that day. He
had no calls for money, and lie had q
half dozen of those horrid cigars left
q couple of which he smoked on the
street after his friend left him. In fact,
he concluded to risk another day IN the
same way. But on this day lie realized
the old adage, sit never rains but il
pours," for from being asked to changs
a bill, to getting his coat ripped and
asking for credit at his tailor's, the da,
was series of notifications.
| Annie was unaware of oil this. 1r
fact, she thought her husband was fail.
ing to realize the situation. So when
at night. Mr.. Gray asked her for money
to spend the next day, she wickeday PM
him Oft with some excuse, and ingen.
iously evaded the request until he was
forced to prefer 1t before his friend.
"You want dollar OF two2 What
do you want with dollar or two?"
"Thsre, Annie, don't bother fellow,
I'm in hurry"
But with grave deliberation she drew
out q quarter and laid it down, then an.
other, and ANOTHER, next two dimes.
"Let me see-thrae quarters-seven.
ty-five, ten is eighty 6ye-ten-ninety.
five, and here is Scent piece-pipety.
eight cents. Will that do?"
"Yes." And Mr.. Gray hustled them
into Ills pocket, and hurried from the
room.
He was in hopes Ibis friend would in
quire into the cause of the scene, whel
he would tell him of the compact, ant
how it originated. 1t would then pas
as q joke. But Mr.. Raymond did no
make any remark. Instead he though
to himself:
Good gracious! What girl she is
And I thought her SO pretty. neve
supposed that Albert would make sucl
meek husband. Catch mo getting
married and having quarters doled ol
to me in that way!"
He pitied his friends embarrassment
but did not appear to notice it. Instead
he chatted unconcernedly of old friend
and past times. Suddenly turning
corner, they met two mutual acquaint
ances. Hand shakings and inquire
followed, and the four had so much I.
ssy that Mr.. Gray decided to send
note to his partner, and spend the fore