The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-10
A STORY FOR HUSBANDS.

JOAQUIN 0uIxR
STORY FOR HUSBANDS.
. Mrs. Gray stood looking out Of the
window, while her husband put on his
hat and gloves, preparatory to going
down town. They had just risen from
y nicely-spread table, and thereon was
neatly and tastefully furnished.
There was no 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,
CURLY.
Three will do. I thought would
write to mother and the girls"
Ibid you ever reckon up, my dear,
how much you spend for postage stamps
in the course of a year," asked Mr..
Gray, as he lit his fragrant cigar.
"Well, let us see. You write at least
five letters week, which is fifteen
cents, and fifty-two times fifteen are
seven dollars and eighty cents year,
to say nothing of paper and envelopes.
I haven't correspondent in the world,
outside my business"
"Your friends, said the wife, live near
Won, while mine are in another state. Do
you wish me to give up writing to them?"
and her face took on an extra tiage Of
color.
"By no means. I merely mentioned
the cost of the thing. But must 60.
Good-by."
"Albert," she said timidly.
Mr.. Gray turned back.
"Can you leave me five or six dollars?
I want to 60 down town to-day"
Give or six dollars!" exclaimed Mr..
Gray in astonishment. "What on
earth can You want with five or six dol
lars?"
~ knew you would wonder, but have
needed some money for q long time to
get n few necessary articles"
II gave you two dollars last week."
~ know it; and used it for materials
to work up for our church fair"
Church fiddlesticks!" said Mr.. Gray,
conte,aptuously. "Well, can't see
what you need with FIVE or six dollars. :"
Here is list of what 1 need" said
Mrs. Gray, handing little slip of pa
per to her husbands
One pair kid slipppers. Observation-Disclosures. W
Eight pair Balbriggan hose. ........ ..... w
Silesia ........................ ~
Crepe de lisse. observation-disclosures. ~
Total ...............................s5 IS
'Crepe de lisse! What is that?"
"Rufiing for the neck"
will it washP"
mo"
II thought SO. A sheer waste of
money. What fools women arel What
would a man think of putting piece of
still, white, papery nothing around his
neck, that cost fifty cents? and four
dollars for gloves and slippers? Well,
l must say, Annie, you are growing ex-
travagant. pay for your dresses, bon
nets, and all the essentials, without q
murmur; that is" said he, with sundry
recollection to the contrary, when they
come within reasonable bounds. But
these little things-tlings which are OF
no earthly account should think ysu
might do without"
"They are what no lady can do with
out. The slippers are to save my nice
walking boots. You Yourself noticed
my gloves last Sunday, aud said you
detested a 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 have to give
it up"
Mrs. Gray enjoyed her husbands
'.Plain sewing! Annie. Thought yor
had more PRIDE"
Z. 81 had too much pride to BEG of you
what ! could earn myself, " she said with
some spirit.
"Well, here is four dolalars and a half.
Try to make that do" And he hurried
of.
Mrs. Gray sighed.
"He means we'll" she said, "but men
seem to think women are like children
not to he trusted with money!"
Meanwhile Mr.. Gray was soliloquiz'
ing: "Strange how extravagant WON
en- are, Annie is one of the best in the
world. but she does not know the worth
of money any more than 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. Will,
down, she felt faint and hungry from
her walk, and would have liked lunch
but she had no money to spare.
ooh, by the way, Annie, did you &
down town to-day?" asked Mr.. Gray
at night.
"Yes, she replied.
"Spent every cent, I'll be bound.
jokingly.
"No, I have exactly two cents left
but ] walked both ways, got no crepe
de lisse. and went without luncheon,
although faint with hunger"
Mr.. Gray looked shocked.
"Why did you not come to me?"
Because it was out of the way; and
because, to tell the truth, ! felt toe
cross"
"Cross with me?"
"Yes, with you" And poor Annie'f
grievances burst forth.
ITO be going along the street hun.
grier than any beggar, while my hus
band is known rs the successful Mr.
Gray! To have no money in my peck
ct, because my husband thinks I an
not to be trustedl Before I married 70,
I was in business the same a. you
that is, I earned my living by teach
ing; you earned yours by trading
Nov, suppose. when we marriet
you bad given up your bust
ness to assist me, or because it interior