San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-28
HOW THEY MADE MONEY.

lie gets his lunch at a restaurant, and
De eat cold beans, and drink dandelon
coffee and sage tea"
Bows" tluttered Rosie, I've an idea.
Mary Penn, who lives on the next farm,
you know, came to see Elma and me
yesterday. Papa is earning his living;
we'll earn something, too.
81 should like to know how" NUT
tered Spencer. II might 90 out some
where as Farmland, if it wasn't for that
wretched old horse, and the pigs, and
the woodchopping, and"
"Oh, but there is something that
won't interfere with the work, nor with
SCHOOL, said cheerful Rose. Just
listen-all ask of you is to listen!
And the weeks grew into months, and
the red leaves eddied down in little
swirls from the elm trees, and "pig-
killing time" came, and with the aid of
lame, one-eyed man, Mr.. Chesney laid
down his own stock of pork and saus-
ages for the winter with a sense of be-
ing triumphantly economical.
The family had left off complaining
now. Apparently they were resigned to
their doom, But there were some
things that Mr.. Chesney could not ex-
plain at all.
A new rug frightened up the dismal
hues of the parIOr carpet; Rosie had a
crimson merino dress, trimmed with
black velvet bars; Elma's autumn jacket
was edged with substantial black fur;
and-grand climax of extravaganza
Mrs. Chesney had a new shawl, in
place of the old brOcbe garment which
had been her mothers before herP
He looked over the housekeeping
books with renewed vigilance; he con-
suited the stubs Of his check-book with
a glance that nothing could escape.
Neutrality-suspicious.
age-it," said, he, scratching his nose
with the lead pencil that he always car
ried. II hate mysteries, and mean to
be at the bottom of this before am an
hour older"
He took his account-book under his
arm and marched into the kitchen,
where his wife was clearing away the
late supper.
Abigail" said he, show is thisP
I've given you no money. You've long
left off asking for money. How have
you managed to smarter yourself and
the children up SOP won't be cheated
by my own wifer'
Elma set down the pitcher which she
was wiping, and came and stood before
her father with glittering eyes and
cheeks stained with crimson, like flag
of battle.
Papa" she said, "you must not
speak to mamma So Mamma would
not cheat you nor anybody else. It's
money that we have earned ourselves.
There! NOl0T
Mr.. Chesney stared at the girl with
incredulous eyes.
"And if you don't believe it, come
and see how" said Elma, fiinging down
her towel MARY Penn showed us.
She told us everything, and gave us the
first swarm of bees. There are fourteen
hives down under the south wall.
Spencer sold the honey for us; and we
planted all the nice flowers that grow
down in the meadow, that you said was
too stony and barren even for the sheep
to pasture upon; and Will dug and hoed
around them after the work was all
done, and we sent boxes and bouquets
of lilies and verbenas TO the city every
day by Mr.. PENIS wagon. And we
gathered wild Strawberries before the
sun was up. and got cherries out of the
old lane, and the money is all ours
every farthing of it!'
"Honey. eh?" said Mr.. Chesney,
staring at the row of hives, for Elma had
dragged him out into the November
moonlight to the scene of action.
swell, I've seen these many time, but
/ always s'posed they belonged to
Squire PENIS folks. And flowers,
and wild berries! Didn't think there
was so much money in 'em. Believe
I'll try the business mpself next year.
Queer that the women-folk should have
got the start of me!'
And after that he regarded his family
with more respect. The mere fact that
they could earn money had elevated
them immensely in his sight But
when spring came he lost his ablest CO.
adiutor.
Miss Elma incidentally announced to
him one day that she was going to be
married to Walter Penn the next week.
"And mamma is coming to live with
us, added Elma. "She can't stand tho
damp house and this hard work any
longer"
But Mrs. Chesney did not 60 to the
Penn Farm. Mr.. Chesney hired stout
serving-maid, and laid drain-pipes
under the kitchen floor.
II his wife really understood her BUSH
ness so well, it was worth while to keep
her well and active, he considered.
Il couldn't well leave papa, you
know" said Mrs. Chesney to Elma.