Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-17

| foliage on the heavenly bill tops the OLE
family homestead?" sin my Fathers house
are many rooms"
A CANDID CONFESSION,
MOTTO BE TRUSTED
/ always thought that my wife was
very careless woman, and l was not SLOW
about telling her so. But che was very
good. .natured, and did not seem to minC
what l said one bit.
| The day wheD she went to Rutherford tt
receive the little legacy her uncle left her
and had it paid over in crisp new banl
notes, which she put in her pocket book,
said to her as she went out:
"Now, Anna Maria, dear, you are apt tt
get your pocket picked in the street, so yor
may as we'll put the 5000 in my charge
| 1t is too big a sum to run any risks with. >
81 don't think any one could get it out o
nv bag" she said, s'but of course if yor
insist. why, you can take charge of it,"
"Well, I do insist" SAID, in decided
manner.
So Anna Maria stopped and undid the bag
and took out the pooketbook, which put
| in the bottom of the inside pocket of my
overcoat, and we walked on together arm
in arm and talked about the things we'd dc
| with that money, until we got hungry ano
I proposed having lunch at Stuffem's before
we took the cars for home. Anna Maria
liked the idea, and we proceeded to carry il
out.
| That was a very good lunch and vel
spread. Anna Maria took off her cloak an6
my overcoat, and we did justice to it.
paid, of course, out of my own purse for it,
aud put on my overcoat with comfortable
sigh helped Anna Maria on with hers,
and we left the restaurant; but just outside
Anna Maria cried, "Oh!" and dropped my
arm and ran back.
She came out again in q moment smiling.
"What was the matters" | asked. "Did
you leave anything2"
She held up her handkerchief which she
had in her hand and answered:
"I've found it.
And I laughed.
"You see what careless little soul you
are," I said. "Not to be trusted at all.
She nodded.
"Aud you are so careful, Solomon" she
said.
"Of course-of course" said. "A man
has so many things to think of he's obliged
you, little woman. Don't think that"
Aud she giggled, she was so pleased.
That Brought us to the station, where we
| took the cars, and | think dosed little
on the way up.
| Oar own house seemed warm and cheer
| ful after the long journey. A bit uf supper
awaited US aud all looked bright. Children
| in bed and servant anxious to go. So we
sent her away and sat down. / just threw
back my overcoat.
"Before we do anything else I'll put the
money in the safe," said-''your money.
| Now don't take airs because you ale
wealthy"
With this jest l divcd into my right hand
inner pocket. I never shall forget the
dreadful cold chill that ran through me as
l found it empty.
"Pshap' 1 said to myself. 'What folly
It's the left pocket, of course"
dipped into that. There was nothing
there either.
Trembling and in cool perspiration,
began to rummage every pocket in my
coat. l tore it off; shook it; felt it;
felt my other pockets; seized the lamp
and rushed about the room, searching the
floor; then, with groan, sank into chair
My wife ran towards me.
'What is the matter?" she cried. "Do
tell me, Solomon!'
81 can't! 1 moaned. "You never will
forgive me. It is not possible. You'd be
more than human. Anna Maria, I've been
robbed. The money is gone!'
"What nonsense!' cried my wife. 81 tel
you it can't be. You put it SO safely ir
your pockets
''The thief must have cut the cloth, D
said l.
seized the coat again. But no; there
was no cut, no rent anywhere-nots sign o.
one.
81 don't think it could have been stolen
my DEAR" said my wife, calmly, very calm
ly, considering her little fortune was gone
''But, perhaps, when you hung yonr over
coat upside down over the chair in the
restaurant it dropped out"
"Good graciousp' 1 roared. SIS it posi-
BILE? \ les, it may be. I must go back t.
New York at once. must offer reward
II-o
"What would you give9" asked my wife
saucily.
Gamma Mariap' cried. ''See here, you
you'll
had no moro words,
eyes, you dear old goose" cried Anna
Maria. 'T did. After we left the restau
rant l remembered that your coat hung up
side down over chair. / remembered how
you lost that cgar-case last winter, and
felt prompted to run back at once. l did
My love, there lay the pocket book undel
the chair. As yet no one had seen it. Here
it is"
l was too thankful to scold her. At tht
same time I rather felt that l had not beer
well used. 1 was glad of the relief, but
felt that should never call my wife |
"careless little woman" again. neve
have.