Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-07-30
MY. IMITATION WIFE,

/ MY IMITATION WIFE.
! had just adjusted my tie and was
preparing TO leave, when my mother
came in.
"Going out, are you. Tom?" said
she.
ayes, ma'am."
"Where, to another party?''
eyes. a'am.'
'That makes three this week,
doesn't it Tom?"
eyes, ma'am. We're hurrying to
get through. Coin to take Miss Beau
fort tonight, and then Pm done with
the Jolly clubs parties.
/ Mother, somehow or other, did not
seem to think very much OF what
said.
"Tom, wish you would get mar.
ried," she said with a troubled face.
/ I believe you would stay at home
some"
"Well, I am awful tired, mother, and
completely worn out"
'Then why don't you quit it?''
"Best reason in the world, mo ther
+ l am neither engaged nor in love, but
I'm willing to be-
| 1t was getting late, so Istarted aft ter
this, but the look on mothers face set
me to thinking.
My mother is the best woman in the
world, even if do say it myself, and I
felt worried about her.
She was right. / was out nearly
every evening. This evening at a re-
ception, next time s. ball, then q
theatre party, and so on. Of course
l could afford it, for my salary as
cashier at Harris was a liberal one.
WASN'T saving a cent, and my own
nome folks never saw me except at
the table. Even poor, old, patient
mother was complaining.
But was having lots Of fun. There
was that Beaufort girl. She was a
fine one. Could dance any kind, talk
about anything you wanted, and
make you have the finest time in the
world. Then there was Vene Wright.
She would take i'll the base ball with
q fellow, go rowing, skating, anything
for fun.
Then Vene had money. That was
an important item.
Why shouldn't l tackle Miss Vene
on the subject of matrimony.
"Thomas, old son." said l to my
self, "Vene is the one'
But Vene, somehow or other, did
not exactly suit the case, and my
mind reverted to Miss Beaufort.
Miss Beaufort was smart, pretty, styl-
lsh suited better, but I knew nothing
=! about her financial standing. This
was an important matter to me in
those days.
Meanwhile the coupe had neared
Miss Beaufort's. I had never been
there before, and to my surprise found
it to DO a very unpretentioIs house.
lcontess l was disappointed. lex
pected to drive up to an elegant man.
sion, be ushered into a fine reception
room with servants in livery, and
there await the coming of Miss Beau-
FORT
Then I expected to make a bold
dash for Miss Beaufort's heart-pro-
pose, and possibly be accepted or de-
clined by the time the party was over.
But not So
A little lady with gray hair opened
the door, and she WAS introduced by
Mic Beaufort as mamma Miss Beau
fort was ready and waiting, 50 we
walked out to the coupe.
''Mr. Silver" said she, "don't you
think there ls great amount ofsnob-
berry in society, and lots OF downright
foolishness?"
"Well, yes" said I.
"For instance" said she "here is an
elegant coupe that you have brought
for me, and yet the party is only two
blocks away"
This certainly was very refreshing.
I had actually squandered five dol
lars to have this coupe for Intervening
ard she did not even so much as no.
ticeit. I know Vene would have enjoy
ed ride in it.
"Nfr. Silver" said she to me again,
:this is the last party l am going to
this winter"
.'.WelL why?" said l. "Aren't you
going to take in the German club ball
and the others?'
mo-" said she. "Mamma hasn't
the money; she can't afford it,"
"Mr. Silver" she continued, 'can
you afford to spend SO much money
on society,".
I Hooked at her. There was honesty
] fairly shining out of her pretty black
! eyes, even if she wasn't very polite.
t So answered her honestly.
mo, Miss Beaufort, I cannot !
haven't saved o cent this winter, and
Iget bigsalary, too
/ WELL" said she. II have met you
/ out so frequently, / feel quite we'll &C.
quainted with you, and l expect !
! have been q little impolite."
! t'No," said ]. 81 am glad that you
! take that much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject. I had
splendid time at the party, and en-
/ joyed Miss Beaufort's company very
much. = found her level headed and
bright if she was too frank. /. ....s a
I I. Next day I told mother about it..
4 She said that she admired Miss Beau
fort for her common: sense, if she
hadn't seen her. Then she referred to
my getting married again. St %ss
Suppose, " said she, ttyou pretend
for q week or SO, that you are mar
ried, and see how it goes. It. ]. u +.
An imitation wife, said /. z..=s.
ss'Why not: said she & will write,
4 the name Of q young lady onsa card.
/, seal it in an envelope, and You can
Il lock it in your desk. Then let his sup.
4 pose that you are married to her say
Il for 1 two weeks. During that time !