Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-17
MUTUAL SACRIFICE.
Mr.. and Mrs. McSwat Swears off for Forty.
Eight Happy Hours.


Mr.. and Mrs. McSwat swears Off for Forty,
| Eight Happy Hours.
"Lobelia, my love, another long and
delightful evening is before u.s."
The young husband was arrayed in
a dressing-gown of gorgeous, variega-
ted and dazzling complexion. He sat
in luxurious armchair and rested his
tired feet on the soft plush cushions of
two other chairs. In his hand he held
a magazine of large print, which he
was trying laboriously to read with the
aid of an eye-glass he had purchased
under the deep and solemn conviction
that his position in society required
him to use something of the kind.
"Is there any thing that l can do
for your comfort, Billiger," tenderly
inquired the young wife.
Il think not, Lobelia," he replied,
after considering few moments;
though if you will kindly open that
package of Lone Jack, and put the
smoking set within reach l shall be
obliged"
Mrs. McSwat did so, and with her
own fair hands she filled his new meer-
schaum, whose bowl was already taking
on brownish tinge that gave promise
of richer and grander results in the
happy future.
You don't know. Lobelia (puf),
how gratefully l (pufD appreciate
your (puff) kindness in interpreting no
objection to my indulgence in (puff,
puff this habit. Hard as would have
been the sacrifice, Lobelia, l (pufD
would have quit it cheerfully-that is
to say (puff). with comparative cheer
fulness, if you had exacted it.
How could l have asked you to quit
smoking, Billiger," replied the young
wife, when you have never made the
least objection TO my chewing gum?"
Mr.. McSwat laid the pipe down and
looked at her in establishment.
"Do you chew gum, Lobelia?" he
said. Il never suspectediS."
IL confess l do sometimes, Bill
ger"
"Mrs. McSwat," said he, severely,
'.have you any idea of the conse-
quences of inveterate gum-chewing?
Do you know any thing Of the incon-
ceivably vile materials of which the
stuff is made?"
1T can't be any worse, Mr.. McSwat,
than the poisonous. filthy, reeking
fumes of that dirty old pipe oyou
are"
"Lobelia McSwat. have a care! Don't
provoke me too far, Or"
'Billiger McSwat, do you dare to
threaten me? Don't glare and squint
at me through that eye-glass till you
have learned how to use it, sir. You
are"
"Lobelia" exclaimed the young hus-
band, pale with conflicting emotions,
'you have spoken sneeringly of this
meerschaum. 1t cost twenty-five dol
lars. But let that pass. can bear it.
To think, though. that the woman l
have vowed to love and cherish"-and
his voice faitered-''upon whom have
poured out the treasure of a hearts
richest affection. is a g-gum chew
chewer! o. o. Lo-be-belia"
"B-Billigerr' sobbed Lobelia, "Pll
qu-quit ch-chewing if you'll quit smok-
ingr'
..Pll do it, my love" he exclaimed.
His brow aflame with lofty and no
BILE resolve, Billiger wrapped his smok-
ing set. with pipe, tobacco and all, in a
paper, and threw the package to the |
remotest depths of dark and gloomy |
attic on the topmost floor, while Lo-
bella gathered up all her wads of gum |
from their various hiding places,
rolled them into a compact bundle. |
and threw them into the attic likewise. |
with these slight sacrifices, Lo-
Bella" said Billiger, tenderly," We pro-
pitiate the good angels of domestic |
bliss and Danish forever the demon of |
discord from our hearthstone!"
Forty-eight hours had passed-forty-
eight short. happy hours. Night had
come again.
Billiger was in that attic. He had
sueaked into it and was fumbling
around noiselessly for something. In
the dark his hand came in contact with
q shoe and he grasped it 1t had a foot
In it
There was a faint scream.
"Mrs. McSwst, is that you?"
..Mr McSwat, it is"
"what are you doing here, madam"
"Sir, I am looking for my gum
What are you doing heres"
Madam, am hunting for my pipe"
Chicago Tribune.
Man seldom amounts TO much until
he gets married. And very ofteD his