The Red Cloud chief., 1889-03-22

20 JOHN, I'VE SUCH A IDEA 20
John pulled on his rubbers. expecting
} course the whole story would be forthcoI
ing without effort On his part But Mari
" sat rocking In her little willow sewn
chair, did not proceed, and the only Soul
In the room wa tho tickinR Of the two dc
lar clock John a given her for Q Chris
mas present.
IAN idea, ehr' John repeated, wiping Il
moisture out Of his blonde mustache O.
standing over the register.
Eyes. II came to me all in . t%winkling."
"SOmething in the tidy line"
mo: it's something about saving none.
You'd never guess il you should try . thol
sand years"
'Then I hadn't better try" said John, M
Is piqued a. she could wish.
III you don't care to know" she vel
tured.
20, but I do" he averrcd. I'm . 4
nous dullard 1t guessing. though, 70
know"
She had risen now and taken hold Of on
OF the buttons of his coat. II WA her habd
In her thoughtful moods to travel up thes
buttons, n by one, slowly, with minut
examination. until she had reached the tor
when their eyes were sure to meet, and sh,
to laugh and call him q goosclct or q grizzly
n his and her mood CHANGED 70 be.
"Well," she b~egaa-sbut you wont 81
it's Just like . woman, will your
81 hope it is just like a woman, for ther
it's sure to be very sweet"
'~.FOl-de-rol, John. I'm too old for tina
kind OF fiattery."
"What q diplomatist you are, thought 70,
reveal by cOncealing. You show so much
finesse I begin to suspect you've been run,
ming In debt"
She ignored this suggestion.
"John. it's just the beginning Of the year
Now what do people do the first OF the
yearr
Swear off," John ventured timidly.
"Nonsense, / don't mean cigars"
upon my sacred word l haven't touched
my pipe"
Nor pipe. neither! It's about my OWE
expenses. I'm planning to ave In little
~things-the dimes n nickles, you know"
Maria. l wish l were a Mormon aud that
YOU had a dozen sisters. There's such good
material in your family for wives. Go ahead,
though"
'sThere's only one way to do 1t, and tina,
is to keep account Of every penny"
.'(;ood heavens, a journal!'
NO.; just an &c count. I'm going to Set
down every cent l spend. and add it all up
at the end Of the year aud STE how much il
is"
John laughed. Maria had not heard such
q roar from him since before they became
economical.
Its always so. John Skipping" she cried,
abandoning the buttons o going over TO
the plant that stood by the window. and
pinching u dead tip from one Of the long
green leaves.
John tried to smother his amusement.
'.what is always SOL" he said. '.house
pianist Are the cat-tails almost ripef" q
she drew the blades Of grcen through her
uervOus fingers.
For answer she gave the leaves o pettish
toss. and the heavy pot rolled over on the
floor.
..Whew r. said john, another blizzard
coming! Rising, followed BY falling bar
John Skipping. you're enough to pro-
voke . saint" she half sobbed.
Il have done 50 already" he said ten
DERBY. Come. I will be serious. You were
speaking about accounts. Let's not make
any account Of that OF. bat proceed under
Q suspension Of the rules q the house"
"Doo't try 70 - tsnny. Johs. l - 70
much In earnest" &
$50 am $50 am l."
IL will begin this very day II you will
show me how. I ought 70 hSve Q blaak
book, oughtn't Ir
a bank book. I wish to heaven you had"
'No. q blank book. Come, you rule II and
III il for me-"
John gave her . little memorandum book
from hi WI pocket, tried t. instruct her
in double entity. which she could not in the
least understand. aud % for that evening
the subject was dismissed.
Al the end Of the month John found him
self In Increasing perplexity which his wife
did not comprehend.
Its dreadful times In business Maria"
he said gicomily.
john she said with trembling voice.
you're not going to fail. are your
John hid . grim smile with . sudden
twirl Of bis muatAche.
Better men than I are going 70 the wall
every day. Maria" he said solemnly.
wOuld b never Had out he Was not in
business for himself, nor ever had been
really, unlcss he fred il 1t her from cata-
putt. Would this precious feminine infant
never discover ho W1s NOT the hero her
maiden fancy had painted him. aided 6y
fulsome items IN the country ~neWspapersl
her the eiamor had never fallen from any
thing hut his disposition.
John Skipping" she murmured pal
pifa,iugiy. don't keep aAy thing from NE.
II is NY duty - your wife to cheer you and
help you Hare YOU lost money, Johnr'
"NOt-mueh," anosAse der0 tWiri Of the
mussaeAs being neN0ay % cover his
sense OF the ludicrOamoss Of her Questioa.
y Q much. Maria bat yoa know upoo .
young man whose only capital il his brsan
. period Of such financial depression - this
crowds pretty hard"
well. John, there's one comfort !
dOat speud any money. Pora whole meath
I haveat spsass tAin8-oaly . hstle or
fare. p~efAapo-aDd s00eAutAoA"
by the waS, nj dor. how doa tAs -
oountb book ccmeOal Let's hove . look - ~"
IAN right Joha- lsse down svssy thing.
III get i,.r risine With alacxtU. OF coussA
I hsven', odded Z up ye4"
..H,m'm.~ nnF1nrod John. - - 60 Ais
eyes over the pascA She ssoea - ~ 6aek
Ia chair. lcokiag down ever III sA0hbss.
n art eutxy ~ Seaf farA. Ten cso&s:"
the next doctors In oA@" JoAa FeoA
then aloUd
@ / doa's shisk ~ Asesess IN sssasl
1fS