The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-16

cutaways or Prince Alberts. How, then, had he been married? The ex- planation throws light on very dark passage in MT. Blossom's life-his dress suit had been pawned; and worse, the time of redemption had ex- pired.
 ''I can't go," he said, resigning him. self to Fate with large F.
 "That's it." cried Minnie, delighted i; "Pve been figuring it all up, and you can go." Here she ran into the next room and in one second returned with & sheet of legal cap bearing very ille- gal looking figures. "Now look at thisw
 Alexander looked, and I have to re- cord that he was not shocked. The figures and their method were about as nearly like those of an ordained book keeper as Mir. Blossom's own.
 "We've got to be economical for two months, you see" said Minnie. "There it is, all on paper"
 The indisputable document ran thus:
 "Grocer $50, Jane S15, butcher $15, coal $S, every ythipg else $lo, altogether $7s-$7S out of $l00 leaves $22-say $20-two months $40. One of these suits don't cost more than that, does it?" she asked, confidently.
 "Costs S75," replied the sloomy Alexander.
 "Humph!" cried Minnie. "Can't you manage? If it were a $75 dress, $40 would be plenty"
 Alexander shook his head.
 "But the club meets early in the evening"" persisted Minnie. Couldn't you get one that would do--ready made, or something?"
 Alexander was pained. He said he trusted she did not speak in earnest.
 "Dearw cried Minnie in despair, "what can we do? We can't take boarders, and you can't be book agent. wish somebody would leave us some money"
 "So do l." murmured Alec with feeling.
 "I know what" cried Minnie, with sudden brightness.
 "Don't ask your father for money" said MT. Blossom, sternly.
 "I don't intend to-"
 Alexander seemed to think she might point. But he tried to look much re- lieved, and issued another command that she was not to go in debt. Her assent to this was immediate. Alex ander had no more to say.
 "The next day Minnie, in persu ance of her idea, went by stealth to the clothing emporium of Warrens- burg and demanded the price of dress suits. The answer was $75. She then asked the price of the cloth. This was a great surprise to the tailor. He af- fected to solve an intricate problem, and finally coming out with a mathe- nautical flourish of his pencil, said "Twenty dollars"
 "How much for cutting out?"
 "Well," replied the tailor, chem let me see. You wouldn't want it made up here, you thinkf Well, coat, vest and-about S13.5o."
 q should like to get the cloth and the cutting both for $50, if you could" said Minnie, faintly.
 "Well," answered the tailor, patron izingly, "thats it; we couldn't. You can't get English goods, you know, at American prices. We have cheaper goods, but"
 'I should want this" said Minnie.
 "Well, as the best figure on that Pll say thirty three. We don't make any thing on it, anyway" Mrs. Blossom was not deceived, but she pretended to be, and with another exertion of courage asked for a months credit. Then she directed the cutting to be done by Alexander's measure, already with the tailor, and the next day carried her bundle in triumph to her dressmaker. That was her idea. Her dressmaker, of course, was one of that infinite number of sewing women, found only by sheer good luck, who are called "jewels by feminine gossips, and who charge two prices. They are said to be reasonable" as distinguished from the real modiste. According to immemorial usage among dress makers, this particular "jewep of Minnie's did not set price, but said it was a "splendid plan" that she would try, and that she would make every thing satisfactory" What can be more satisfactory than satisfactory? Minnie departed in great spirits. Time rattled on and brought the night of the clubs first meeting. The Blossoms acceptance had been duly sent, and Alexander had been complacently informed that dress suit would be provided. He trusted to his wife implicitly, believing, not that in two months she would create 6 wonderful novel, as ladies 90 easily do-in other novels--but that she would pursue the more useful and perhaps more womanly plan of calling