St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-11-01
BALANCING ACCOUNTS.
. Mrs. Jenkins Did with MIR. Jenki,

ID Mrs. Jenkins Did with MIR. Jenkins.
Good Housekeeping.
When Mr.. Jenkins went to the city
4h Saturday morning, his wife accom-
Anied him to do a little shopping. AS
ey were walking to the train, Mr.. j.,
Appening to glance down at his coat,
ttered a vigorous exclamation, and
tlded, 81 thought you promised to
that loose button on my coat.
Ow it's gone, and a fine figure cut !
ont q"
"Tm very sorry, John, but"
"'But' won't put it on again. There's
Ding to be a committee meeting in
he office, too, this morning, and L
zbn't care to look as if | were coming
ID pieces. I'd like to know what was
be use of my leaving it at home, yes
brday ~
81 had the needle and thread in my
and to do it, John, just as the baby
III down stairs, and that frightened
&c so that it put everything else out
III my mind. | was anxious about her
or hours, you know"
elbow she came to get such fall, is
ore than can see. What's the use,
anyway, of you women staying at
pine all day, if you can't keep the
children from breaking their necks I"
"She was scarcely out of my sight
Dr. a moment all day, except just that
DEC, and
"Well, never mind. | suppose you
an sew OF the button tonight but l
ish you kept a memorandum. What
Hou women ever do with your memo
les | don't see. Probably they're too
81 ecious to use.r And Mr.. Jenkins re-
apsed into silence and a perusal of the
iOrning paper.
When they were leaving the train
rs. Jenkins said meekly: aft you are
lot too busy to-day, John, l wish you
HOuld stop at Polisher's and get my
bee pin. | shall need it to wear to the
eDncert tonight. None of my other
Ems are fit. I'd get it myself, if it
Hasn't so far down town."
"Therel I've thought of that pin
znndred times if | have once but
ever have more than time to catch
be last boat as | come past. I'll get
81 tonight"
Mr. Jenkins had hurried and busy
lay, and felt so warm in consequence
nat he had to stop on his way to the
Ferry, to drink a glass of soda water.
That used up all his spare minutes,
md when he passed POlisher's jewelry
tore, he was walking as if for wager.
One evening, about the middle of
Die following week, Mr.. and Mrs. Jen-
ms sat in "social silence" on the
brOad piazza, the former trying to read
DIV the waning light, while his wife
vas diligently making entries of some
sDrt, in a little red blank book.
Mr. Jenkins laid his paper aside for
Eli moment and watched his wife. FL
ualIy he said "I'm glad to see you
II rowing SO systematic and economical
your housekeeping. | hope it will
tell when the bills come in"
"It's not housekeeping accounts this
time, John; though | do try to be reg
#nlar about those"
81 don't see what it can be, then.
Seems to me you have grown very lit
erary lately. | don't know how often
s. have seen you writing in that book.
Suppose you let me have look at it.
u And he reached out his hand.
'ENot just yet" said Mrs. Jenkins.
+Please wait a little. You may see it
II Saturday night; that is, if accounts
g balance, or If there is something to my
credit.n
Mr. Jenkins looked puzzled. $50 it
81 is an account book, after all. Well,
I'd just as soon wait. l will audit it
for you on Saturday. That is, if the
3 items are not too small and tedious
one cent for glove button, three cents
for hair-pins, five cents for a car-fare."
81 don't think you will find the items
Tedious" was the reply and the mat
ter dropped.
About 10 o'clock, Saturday night, it
occurred to Mr.. Jenkins to call for his
Il wife's accOunt-bOOk.
"YOu said it was not your household
4 account, SO l suppose it has to do with
j private expenses" he remarked.
alt is Seither," said Mrs. Jenkins.
at is only a memorandum of items L
q wanted 10 keep in mind"
"Well, that's an excellent idea,
though don't see why it needs bal
ancing."
"Perhaps you will see in moment.
It's an account of what ought to have
j been remembered, and not what is to
be and I'll read it myself"
"Well, you are a queer woman
That's all have to say. | don't see
i the sense of such memorandum, but
go ahead"
4 Mrs. jenkins began to read aloud.
Saturday, Debit-Forgot to sew
II button on Mr.. Jenkins's coat. Credit.
81 Mr.. Jenkins forgot to bring my pin
Il from POlisher's."
Mr.. Jenkins whistled and sat up
right. "YOu are keeping somebody's
accounts besides your own, | observe"
Certainly, my DEAR" said his wife,
sweetly. 81 couldn't make things bal
ance otherwise, you know"
He subsidized with resigned air, and
Il Mrs. Jenkins went on:
Forgot to tell Patrick to put away
the lawn mower"
'In consequence of which," added
John in an audible foOt-note, sit was
Il out all night in the rain, and became
f shOckingly rusty"
& The account proceeded.
II "Sunday.-FOrgot the number of our
IL new pew. Mr.. Jenkins forgot moth
ing" A look of quiet triumph shOne
from the arm chair occupied by pater-
familias.
"Monday Forgot to have more
starch put into the collars and cuffs,
Mr.. Jenkins forgot to order barrel OF
wOod.n
"Tuesday-My record clear. Mr..
Jenkins forgot to tell Jack that Helen
Lowering was spending the day here.
Whereby Jack lost a golden opportu-
nifty, may end by losing Helen herself
and has had fit of the blues ever
Il since"
Wednesday Forgot to have choco-
late instead of coffee for breakfast
+ Mr.. Jenkins forgot to send the glaziel
up to mend the pane of glass that baby
broke. In consequence of which, the
rain came in while we were away from
l.. 4 l,aV rct oil. in