Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-06-01
BALANCING ACCOUNTS.
A Plan That Might Work Wen in
Many Households.


When Mr.. Jenkins went to the city
on Saturday morning, his wife accom-
panied him to do little shopping. AS
they were walking to the train, Mr.; j.,
happening to glance down at his coat,
uttered q vigorous exclamation, and
added; II thought you promised to
sew that loose button on my coat
Now it's gone, and fine figure / cut!
Don't IP"
I'm very sorry, John, but"
"'But' won't put it on again. There's
going to be Il committee meeting in the
Office, too this morning, and l don't
care to look as II Iwere coming to
pieces. I'd like to know what was the
use of my leaving it at home yester-
dayP"
Il had the needle and thread In my
hand to do it, Conn, jdoi as cii4o Sa3J
fell downstairs, and that frightened me
80 that it put every thing else out OF my
mind. / was anxious about her for
hours, you know"
"How she came to get such fall. is
more than / can see. What's the use,
anyway, of you women staying at home
all day, if you can't keep the children
from breaking their necksp'
"She was scarcely out Of my sight for
a moment all day, except just that once,
and"
well, never mind. 1 suppose you
can sew on a button tonight; but ]
wish you kept a memorandum. What
you women ever do with your memoir
les | don't see. Probably they're too
precious to use." And Mr.. Jenkins
relapsed into silence and a perusal OF
the morning paper.
When they were leaving the train
Mrs Jenkins said meekly: 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, il it
wasn't so far down town"
There! I've thought OF that pin .
hundred times If l have once; but
never have more than time to catch the
last boat as / come past I'll get it to-
night"
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 glass of soda-water.
That used up all his spare minutes. and
when he passed Polisher's jewelry store
he was walking as II 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 blank-book.
Mr.. Jenkins laid his paper side for a
moment and watched his wife. Finally
he said; "Tm glad to see you growing
30 systematic and economical in your
housekeeping. hope it will tell whom
the bills come in"
''It's not housekeeping accounts this
time, John; though do try to be regu-
lar about those"
al don't see what 1t can be, then.
Seems to me you have grown very liter
ary lately. don't see what it can be,
! don't know how often I've
seen you writing in that book. Sup
pose you let me have look at it," and
he reached out his hand.
"Not just yet" said Mrs. Jenkins.
''Please wait little. You may see it
Saturday night; that is. if accounts
balance, or ifthere is something to my
credit"
Mr. Jenkins looked puzzled. $50 it
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 items
are not too small and tedious-one cent
for glove buttons. three cents for hair
pins, five cents for car-fare"
Il don't think you will find theitems
tedious" was the reply; and the matter
dropped.
About 10 o'clock Saturday night it
occurred to Mr. jenkins to call for his
wife's account book.
"You said it was not your household
account. so suppose it has to do with
private expenses" he remarked.
at is neither" said Mrs. Jenkins.
at is only a memorandum Of items l
wanted to keep in mind"
well, that's an excellent idea,
though don't see why il needs ball
ancing."
Perhaps you will see in moment
It's an account of what ought to have
been remembered, and not OF what is
to be; and I'll read it myself"
well. you are queer woman!
that's all have to say. / don't see the
sense Of such a memorandum; but go
ahead.
Mrs jenkins began to read aloud.