Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-06-18
MY IMITATION WIFE.
A Story, With a Moral, for Soci-
ETY. Young Men.

Guy 4OuuS M0us
1had just adjusted my tie, and was
preparing to leave, when mother came
in.
"Going out, are you, Tom?" said she.
eyes, ma'am."
"Where, to another party?"
eyes, ma'am."
''That makes three this week, doesn't
it, Tom?"
"Yes, ma'am. We're %hurrying to
get through. Coin to take Miss Beau
fort tonight, and then I'm done with
the Jolly Clubs parties"
Mother, somehow OF other, did not
seem to think very much of what Isaid.
'.Tom, l wish you would get mar
ried." she said, with a troubled face.
81 believe you would stay at home
some"
"Wcll 1 am awful tired, mother,
and completely worn out"
''Then why don't you quit it?"
"Best reason in the world, mother.
] am neither engaged mol in love, but
I'm willing to be-
1t was getting late, so / started after
this, but the look on mothers face set
me to thinking. My mother is the best
woman in the world, even if 1 do say
it myself, and 1 felt worried about her.
She was right. I was out nearly every
evening. This evening at a reception,
next time a ball, then Il theater party
and so on. OF course 1 could afford it,
for my salary as cashier at Harris was
a liberal one. But [ wasn't saving
a cent, and my w home 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
any thing you wanted and make YOU
have the finest time in the world. Then
there was Vene Wright. She would
take in the baseball with a fellow, go
rowing, skating, any thing for fun.
Then Vene had money. That was an
important item.
Why shouldn't 1 tackle Miss Vene
on the subject of matrimony.
Thomas, old son." said I to myself,
''Vene is the one"
But Fene, somehow OF other, did not
exactly suit the case, and my mind re-
verified to Miss Beaufort. Miss Beau
fort was smart, pretty, stylish and
suited better, but knew nothing about
her financial standing. This was an
important matter to me in those DAYS.
Meanwhile the coupe had neared Miss
Beaufort's. l had never been there be-
fore. and to my surprise found it to be
a very u~npretentious house. l confess
l was disappointed. l expected to
drive up to an elegant mansion, be
ushcred into a fine reception-room with
servants in livery, and there await the
coming of Miss Beaufort. Then I ex-
pected to make a bold dash for Miss
Beaufort's heart-propose, and posi-
bly, be accepted or declined by the time
the party was over. But not so.
A little lady with gray hair opened
the door, and she wasintroduccd to me
by Miss Beaufort as Miss
Beaufort was ready and waiting, so we
walked out to the coupe.
''Mr. Silver" said She, .sdon't you
think there is a great amount of snob-
berry in society, and lots of downright
foolishness?n
"'Well, yes," said I.
"For instance" said she, ''here is an
elegant coupe thatyou nave brought for
me and yet the party is only two blocks
away"
This certainly was very refreshing.
l had actually squandered five dollars
to have this coupe for the evening, and
she did not even so much as notice it.
know Vene would have enjoyed aride
in it.
"Mr. Silver" said she to me again,
''this is the last party 1 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 In ,n't
the money; she can't afford it,"
"Mr. Silver" she continued, '.can
you afford to spend so much money on
socicty?'
looked at her. There was honesty
fairly shining out of her pretty black
eyes, ever if she wasn't very polite.
So | answered her honestly.
"No, Miss Beaufort, 1 can not. I
haven't saved a cent this winter, and I
get a big salary, too"
"Well," said she, 81 have met you
out SO frequently, l feel quite we'll ac-
quainted with you, and l expect 1 have
been a little impolite."
''No," said l.. II am glad that you
take that much interest in me-"
Then we changed the subject. Ihad
a splendid time at the party and en-
joyed Miss Beaufort's company very
much. l found her l~evcl-headed and
bright. if she was too frank. lex doy
l told mother about it. She said that
she admired Miss Beaufort for her
common-sensc, if she hadn't seen her.
Then she referred to my getting mar
ried again.
Suppose" said she, '.you pretend
for a week or SO that you are married,
and see how it goes"
Gan imitation wife," said l.
"Why not?' said she. II will write