The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-06-13

fHS Dllu Wise iltd
9: :: !: :: :: :: !: !: !: :
f1%H t. made up his
y%sSaN1RE mind that he
tNSSSaSS%sA- must economic
EA|H5SA *. somewhere. AZ
f6NFG ter debating the
VII tMN matter for some
time, hcconclud-
ed to give up taking regularly IL
daily paper. Mrs. Wise venturcd IL
remonstrance:
why not give up some personal
extravaganza" she said, "instcad of
hitting upon something which will
effect the entire family! Cigars, for
instance; have often thought it
would he n positive benefit could you
do without them"
Mr.. Wise was II kind husband and
fnther but like many another man
once he had resolved upon II certain
thing lie was not easily turned aside
1.-The family" he began in reply.
Consists only of you and me, my
dear, SO far rs the use of the paper is
concerned. Our children are all I'M
der ii yenrs Of age, are not exactly
cager for news, take it; and as to
my getting along without cigars
could far more easily go without my
coffee in the morning or ten ut night.
You cannot imagine the solace con-
tainel in n cigar to IL tired perplex.
ed business man."
But Mrs. Wise still demonstrated:
"iou are mistnlcn." she sain, "in
thinking that the children do not
need the daily paper. Indirectly they
do; find IL great deal of instruction
in our paper with which to teach the
children. lreally hope you will con
si'!er before actually stopping it,"
81 shall buy a paper quite often. u
replied Mr.. Wise. s'Qf course IL man
must know something of what is go.
ing on in the world about him, hui
think IL daily ofnumerons pages quit,
unnecessary, and | must be allowed
to exercise my Judgment in the mat.
ter"
Ii is IN old saying TINT the re-
mark, "atloW me to Judge" puts an
end to almost amy discussion. Ac-
cordinglv Mrs. Wise said no more,
but it depressed her to feel tllat
the friendly visit OF herfavorite daily
must be discontinued.
At first Mr.. Wise carried home ~
little thin substitute for the Old
fnvorite nearly every night, but by
degrees even that came less and less
frequently. When he honstcd to
his wife that lie really rot the
news almost ns completely as ever
by watching the bulletin and hear
ing men talk, she replied rather dry
ly that men did have considerable
advantage over women in the mat
ter of getting news without paying
Tor it. They could stand and gaze
at pleas'ire Mt great scrolls pasted
on the side of newspaper buildings
and CLEAN good deal from other
men. Yes, it was IL real sharr way
to economic without losing mncL,
cheap ana perfectly nice, she sup
posed.
Although Mrs. Misses manner was
tranquil as summer sea. vet her
words ruflied and irrated her nus
band; and if the truth was known, it
was not all quite smooth sailing for
Mr.. Wise. lie lilnot actually onioy
sitting in the station or horse cars,
empty-handcd, among groups OF
men, all of them except himself had
open papers in their hands, So III 10
sorted to the eXpedicnt Of CARRYING ~
folded paper in the breast pocket of
his coat, that it might appear as II
he had ~ paper which presumably
had already heorl pursued.
Ohc evening, us he was hurrying
toward the station, n little ragged
gamin, with paper under his arm.
squintrd up into his face ord cried:
Mister, want 20 read all about
the c'lision?"
what collision?" asked Mr.. Wise.
"Oh. You buy q paper and find
out" said the urchin, his pLiz in the
air and his littlegi rirnmy paw held
out for pennies.
~ have ~ paper" said Mr.. Wise,
ginncing toward his breast pocket.
"l'et you aint't scen bout the
c'lision,' persisted the boy; eta IL
special to my paper; Lettrh one,
sonnvp'
But Mr.. Wise eschewed nil counsel
from such a course, and hurried on.
On the train he seated himself be-
tween acqpaintances, who looked up
from their papers to exchange greet
ings.
Bad news, this iscvening," said one.
Yes; quite q collision. !" replied Mr..
Wise, feeling the uncertainty of his
position.
"Will you allow me to see your
papcr?" asked the gentleman on his
other side. He was an agent for life
insurance companies. and added, II
am making Ii list of accidents lately,
with a motive"
Mr.. Wise realized the danger of
taking subterfuge in further Geccp-
ton.
II haven't the account in my pn-
per-" lie said. 81 heard the matter
mentioned but can't tell anything
about it. Thought / might hear
more from you," he added blandly.
Another moment he adroitly changed
the subject.
Next day, in going to and fra, Mr..
Mise scanned tie bulletins in search
Of Che ''bnd news" alluded to by his
friend, also for an account of the
collision mentioned by the boy; but
he succeeded in obtaining Informs,
ton on neither point,
On his way home he encountered
the gaminagain, who asked, with his
nggravating squint:
Read about the c'llision yet, mis-
ter?!"
'.How dare you tell q falsehood to
sell papers" inquired Mr.. Wise stern.
ly.