The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-23

course the whole story Would be forthcom-
| ing without effort on his part. But Maria,
who sat rocking in her little willow sewing
chair, did not proceed, and the only sound
in the room was the ticking of the two dol
lar clock John had given her for Christ
mas present.
IAN idea, eh7" John repeated, wiping the
moisture out of his blonde mlistache and
standing over the register.
''Yes, it came to me all in twinkling."
Something in the tidy line?"
mo; it's something about saving money.
You'd never guess if you should try thou
sand years.
Then hadn't better try" said John, not
as piqued as she could wish.
''If you don't care to know" she ven
tured.
30, but l do" he averred. ''Pm ia
nous dullard at guessing, though, You
know"
She had risen now and taken hold of one
of the buttons of his coat. 1t was her habit
in her thoughtful moods to travel up these
buttons, one by one, slowly, with minute
examination, until she had reached the top,
when their eyes were sure to meet, and she
to laugh and call him gooselet or a grizzly,
as his and her mood CHANGED to be.
"Well," she began-"but you wont say
it's just like woman, will you?"
~ hope it is just like woman, for then
it's sure to be very sweet"
"Fol-de-rol, John, Pm too old for that
kind of f1attery."
what diplomatist you are, though! you
reveal by concealing. You show so much
finesse begin to suspect you've been rum
ming in debt"
Sha iOnora5 thic cucpaSt;ou
John, it's just the beginning of the year.
Now what do people do the first of the
year?"
"Swear of, " John venturei timidly.
"Nonsensc, don't mean cigars"
"Upon my sacred word l haven't touched
my pipe"
'Nor pipe, neithcrl It's about my own
expenses. I'm planning to save in little
things-the dimes and nickles, you know"
maria, wish were Mormon and that
you had dozen sisters. There's such good
material in your family for wives. Go ahead,
though"
"There's only one way to do it, and that
is to keep account Of every penny"
"Good heavens, a journalm
mo; Just an account. Pm going to set
down every cent spend, and add it all up
at the end of the year and see how much it
ISL
John laughed. Maria had not heard such
a roar from him since before they became
economical.
"Its always SO, John Skipping" she cried,
abandoning the buttons and going over to
the plant that stood by the window, and
pinching dead tip from one of the long
green leaves.
John tried to smother his amusement.
"What is always 500" he said, ''house
plants! Are the cat-tails almost ripea" as
she drew the blades of green through her
nervous fingers.
For answer she gave the leaves q pettish
toss, and the heavy pot rolled over on the
floor.
"Whewr' said John, "another blizzard
comingl Rising, followed by falling bar
ometerw
"John Skipping, you're enough to pro-
woke saint" she half sobbed.
II have done so already" he said ten
derby. "Come, will be serious. You were
speaking about accounts. Let's not make
any account Of that one, but proceed under
q suspension Of the rules Of the house."
"Don't try to be funny, John. am so
much in earnest"
$50 am $50 am l."
~ will begin this very day if you will
show me how. ought to have a blank
book, oughtn't II"
"a bank book9 wish to heaven you had"
'No, a blank book. Come, you rule it and
fix it for me-"
John gave her little memorandum book
from his own pocket, tried to instruct her
in double-entry, which she could not in the
least understand, and SO fer that evening
the subject was dismissed.
At the end OF the month Johu found him
Helf in increasing perplexity which his wife
did not comprehend.
IT'S dreadful times in business, Maria"
he said gloomily.
"Johu," she said with trembling voice,
you're not going to fail are youf"
John hid a grim smile with sudden
tWirl Of his mustache.