The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-05-08

CURED into: in short. treated you as you do
me9''
You exaggerate the case, Annie. Men
and women are differently situated. !
should think you would be glad to be saved
the trouble of earning a livelihood"
Butjustconsiderth disadvantages fan
empty purse. Put yourself in my place.
How would you like it,"
why, if only had to ask, frst-rate.
We'll, then. suppose you let me carry
the pocket-book for a week
"AIl right. I'll do it, just to show you
that it is easy enough. Here's the pocket
book And lie gave it into her hand.
but I'll take a quarter first to begin on.
What do you want Of a quarter?
Cigars
WELL, here are two ten-cent pieces; try
to make that do. Did you ever reckon up
low much your cigars cost you in the
year. Let us see. You smoke at least two
a day, at an average Of ten cents apiece,
which amounts to one dollar and forty cents
a week. Now, ffty-two time one forty
makes seventy-two dollars and eighty cents
a year, to say nothing of those you give
your friends. \ hundred dollars 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 mex morning Mr.. Gray had gone
sorne distance from the house before lie re-
membered that he had only twenty-five
cents.
''I'll risk it," said he to himself; per
haps III not want to buy anything. I'll
show Annie that a man can do without
money.
Hello, Gray" cried a voice. interrupt
ing his reflections. What is the brain
study about?'
1t was his old friend. Frank Raymond.
The two men had not met since Mr.. Gray's
marriage, and as Frank was TO remain III
town for . week, Mr.. Gray invited him
home. He lit a cigar. and handed its mate
to Frank. as he did this.
The two conversed Of old times nntil
they reached Mr.. Gray's place of business,
when they separated, Frank agreeing to be
at the Gray's at six {. clock. Annie was ap-
prised of his coming by a note from her
husband.
Going home that night, as was his in
variable custom, he ran into Benton's to
buy some cigars. Benton was surprised to
see him drop the dozen he had taken up.
''Are they not good2. inquired the dealer.
I'VE think them oar choicest
They are good. But on second thought
l will not take any tonight
Mr.. Gray had always purchased his
cigars as he used them: but now he wished
he had a box at home. However, he de
cided to ask his wife for some money, and
run out and fill his ease without his friends
knowledge. Twenty-four hours had passed
and he had already begun to experience a
feeling of shame, and a disclination TO ask
for money. \ thought Of Annie crossed
his mind. ''Pshaw, she doesn't have to
treat friends to cigars, he muttered.
Frank Raymond was already at his
house. and Annie had a tempting little sup
per for them: and Annie was looking her
prettiest.
When supper was over, he took Annie
aside and asked for a dollar. which she
gave him, grudgingly. Then he excused
himself for a moment, and bought some
cigars. They were wretched affairs, how
ever, and filled the house with a villainous
odor, for he had to get them at a new place.
Benton's being toe far OFF.
The next day the two friends started out
together, when Mr.. Gray, with an air of
having forgotten something, said. Excuse
me a minute"
'I1l go back with you if you have for
gotten anything. said Mr.. Raymond.
Mr.. Gray clapped his hand on his pocket,
Il thought I had forgotten my pocket
book, but l haven't" he said; so it's all
right" And then he hurried on. his
checks tingling with shame at the deceit,
But he could not risk having his friend so
back 18th him and stand by while he asked
for money.
Mr.. Gray was lucky that day. He had
no calls for money, and he had half a dozen
of those horrid cigars left, a 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 he realized the old adage, 1T
never rains but it pourS. FOR from being
asked to change a bill to getting his coat
ripped and asking for credit at his tail
or's, the day was a series of mortifica-
tons.
Annie was unaware OF all this. In fact,
she thought her husband was falling to
realize the situation. So when, at night
Mr.. Gray asked her for money to spend
the next day, she wiekedly put him off
with some excuse, and ingeniously evaded
the request until he was forced to prefer it
before his friend.
You want a dollar or two! What do
o want with a dollar or two9
There, Annie. don't bother a fellow.
I'm in a hurry.
But with grave deliberation She drew
out a quarter and laid it down, then an
o.her and another next two dimes.