Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-10
4 SHARP LESSON.

1t was almost the first rcmonstrance
that George Carson had ycntured to Ut
ter 10 his wife. for the glow of their
honeymoon had not yet faded from the
matrimonial horizon. But ne was be-
ginning TO think that his young wife's
IDEAS were a little too heightened for
such a limited income rs theirs was.
Mrs. Carson turned toward him with
Il sad. moonlight sort of a smile.
My dear George" sad she. ''pray
Of the subject. That picture which dear
Edith gave me for Il wedding present is
a real Mcissonicr. One Of the great ar
lists earliest attempts, it is true, and
perhaps lacking in the exquisite finish
which characterizcs his later produc-
tons. but sill Il Mcissonicr. And no
common OF tawdry piece of gliding Il
bc.it such Il gem of art as this. 1t viii
sight up our d~rawing-room rs a jewel
lights up some dusky ocean cave"
SO the expensive frame was ordered,
and the Meissonicr was sent home, en-
ca>cd IN It's splcndor.
Cd Mrs. Carson shook her head when
il was carried in.
at may bc . gem Of art" said she.
I'm no judge OF such things. But I'm
sure that your business won't support
Dora if She keeps on at this rate. Your
grandlather's picture that was done by
Il travelling portrait painter when we
were first married. for half-a-guinca.
WAS put in a plain Gilt frame that only
came 10 fifteen ShilIings."
"Oh, grandma cried Mrs. Carson,
dcspairinglv, cant YOU understand
that the world has altered since you
were a girl?'
"Oh, | know that well enough" said
Grandma Carson. meditatiycly, polish
inc her spectacle glasses with the corner
OF her apron. but | amt altogeihcr
certain that it has altered for tho bet
ter
Grandma Carson. bless her kiplly old
heart, had many doubts and fears as to
the way in which her grandson and his
wife were beginning their career.
'BrUsSeis carpets al over the house,
said she. 'Kidderminstcr was good
enough in my day, with iruggct on the
stairs and oilclolh in chc hall, 50 tha;
YOU could scrub 'cm ZIP, once II week,
and make sure YOU were clean. And
Dora has got ch0rT cabinets to hold
china and stun, where | used 10 be salts
fed with n wooden corner cupboard.
And there are clrtaius strung up before
every door, and fans tucked in every
holc and corner. until | fairly ache 10
| 90 and fold 'em ali up and put 'em
away. But this picture business out
| does everything. What. New currant-
| c0lored plush coverings for the furni.
ture! Why, Dora, there aio't no earth
~ need ior that"
They Tlust match the band OF cur.
~ran,-colored plush in the pictu;c-framo
Gon'E ven scc?' impaticntly retortcc
Dor&. "Everythinr must be toned t,
the key cf the Mcissonicr!n
Grandma said nothing. She onl'
shsok her head again, this time NOR
volcmcntly thaa ever,
Il wish the N%czzoncr never haG com
into tive house said she To- herself. =
don't sec rs it's any different from an.
othor picture"
Dort, however, thought differently
Gho toned the Etlle dva VIM room
satisfactorily 10 the key cf the Meisso
nicr, rud then Issued cards for WED
ucsdssy evenings"
Not regular psrtics, you know" sh,
explained 10 her friends. 'Jnst even
ings. And-and muSic-and litcrar'
conv r~sation, aml all that sortof thing
!i2r husband hooked doubtful.
'sS9y dear. sad he, "all tlnat sort O
I thing, rs YOU call il, costs moTcy. An,
/ I'm rot sure THAI we can afford IT,"
/ ria, George, don't DC rbliculous!'
: saiG.S,ora with & petnaant slrIg of tn,
1 ,hoglIcrs. AFFORD! You ar. alway,
ihinL!ng of money. A fcN slices o
\ cake and ag!lSs ~ofVHine or so-wha
can i signify And ss for my dress.
\ shUufi have i~,cquirol II new silk thi,
winre~ in anyo,cnt"
\ M Carson could @ay no norc; ba
7 by-anaa-by, W!sn the bills came ia
I :hichs8s 'autur3n leaves that strcw tn
I brooS~ of Nallimbrcsa." his lace rs
.umtss a worn and haggard expression
IA igs'ubled look that went to grand
mas heart.
'Gmrge.' she said. softly; "wslat i
1t? bsn't be AFRAID ofecoming to gran
Isly. my boy! Ii vas me that bound u
tVour iirst cut tinger."
Heat wounds are not SO easii'
called. grandma " said the young nan
/ alf Iau ching, half signing. But
may us well be flank with you. TIA
G cissont@r is rnining ne. | wish &,
goodness Miss Lawrence had kept il 81
herself"
Mrs. Carson had invited some arts
tie friends that evening to book ut hel
picture. With theSc came Il famou.
connoisscm. whose manners were rs
brueque rs dis judgment was excellent.
'3Hat a Ne~issonicrt" he cried abrupt
ly. why Il is the lericst dAub that
ever syas fraaned.'
'Acopy!' cried Mrs. Carson, grow
ing pale.
"A copy" said the connoisseur; land
a very poor ore. 1t isn't worth the
room il .akcs up on your wall, my dear
madam"
Dora cried herself to sleep that night.
n the morning, when she came down,
the Meissonnier had broken It's cords,
and lay prone Oh the mantel.
Dear me, what a pity" said Grand
ma.
1T is the best thing that could have
happencd!' said Dora, bitterly.
That very afternoon shorin's officers
took possession of the house, and the
family slept in dingy lodgings in a back