The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-02-20
Selected Storp.
Balancing Accounts.

on Saturday morning his wife accom-
panied him to do little shopping. AS
they were walking to the train Mr..
jenkins, happening to glance down at
his coat, uttered vigorous exclama-
ton, and added, " l thought you prom
ised to sew that loose button on my
coat. Now it is gone, and fine figure
/ cut, don't II"
I'm very sorry, John, but"
But won't put it on again.
There's going to be committee meet
ing in the office, too, this morning, and
don't care to look as if | were coming
to pieces. I'd like to know what was
the use of my leaving it at home yes
terday?"
" had the needle and thread in my
hand to do it, John, just as the baby
fell down stairs, and that frightened me
so that it put everything else out of my
hours, you know"
How she came to get such fall is
more than / can see. What's the use,
any way, of you women staying at
home all day if you can't even keep
the children from breaking their
necks?"
she was scarcely out of my sight
for moment all day, except just that
once, and"
We'll, never mind. l suppose you
can sew on the button tonight; but |
wish you kept a memorandum. What
you women ever do with your memo
ries / don't see. Probably they're too
precious to use." And Mr.. jenkins
relapsed into silence and perusal of
the morning paper.
When they were leaving the train
Mrs. jenkins said, meekly, i" If you are
not too busy to-day, John, wish you
would stop at Polisher's and get my
lace pin. shall need it to wear to the
concert tonight. None of my other
pins are fit. I'd get it myself, if it
weren't so far down town"
"There! I've thought of that pin a
hundred times, if l have once; but
never have more than time to catch the
last boat when | come past. I'll get it
tonight"
Mr.. jenkins had a hurried and busy
day, and felt so warm in consequence
that he had to stop on his way to the
ferry to drink a glass of soda-water.
That used up all his spare minutes, and
when he passed Polisher's iewelry
store he was walking as if for wager.
One evening about the middle of the
following week Mr.. and Mrs. jenkins
sat in "social silence" on the broad
piazza, the former trying to read by the
waning light, while his wife was dill
gently making entries of some sort in
little red handbook.
Mr.. jenkins laid his paper aside for
a moment and watched his wife.
Finally he id, " I'm glad to see you
growing so systematic and economical
in your housekeeping. l hope it will
tell when the bills come in"
cts not housekeeping accounts
this time, John; though | do try to be
regular 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
I've seen you writing in that book
Suppose you let me have a look at it,
And he reached out his hand.
Not just yet" said Mrs. Jenkins
Please wait little. You may see il
Saturday night. That is if-if accounts
balance, or if there is something to my
credit"
Mr.. jenkins looked puzzled. $50 il
is an account-book, after all. Well, PC
just as soon wait. | will audit it fol-
you on Saturday. That is if the items
are not too small and tedious-one
cent for glove buttons, three cents fol
hair-pins, five cents for a car-fare."
81 don't think you will find the item:
tedious" was the reply; and the matter
dropped.
About ten o'clock Saturday night il
occurred to Mr.. jenkins to call for hi;
wife's account-book.
You said it was not your household
account, so | suppose it has to do with
private expenses he remarked.
1T is neither" said Mrs. jenkins
cit is only memorandum of items
wanted to keep in mind"
Well, that's an excellent idea
though | don't see why it needs bal
ancing."
4" Perhaps you will see in a moment.
It's an account of what ought to have
been remembered, and not of what i:
to be; and III read it myself"
Well, you are queer woman
That's all have to say l don't see
the sense of such memorandum, bu
go ahead"
Mrs. jenkins began to read aloud.
Saturday, Debit.-Forgot to sew
button on Mr.. Jenkins coat. Credit
Mr. jenkins forgot to bring my pir
from Polisher's."
Mr.. Jenkins whistled and sat up.
right. You are keeping somebody's
accounts beside your own, | observe"
" Certainly, my dear" said his wife
sweetly. 81 couldn't make things
balance otherwise, you know
He subsidized with resigned air, anc
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, " it wa;
! out all night in the rain and became
( shockingly rusty"
: The account proceeded.
"Sunday-Forgot the number of oul
new pew. Mr. jenkins forgot moth
ing" A look of quiet triumph shon'
+ from the armchair occupied by pater