Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-11-19
TOMS WIFE.

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pulls, as was her daily custom before
he went to business. Indeed, it seem
ed as If she thought Tom couldn't &C
at all, until she had given him these
little extra touches.
She looked up into his face, this
morning, trihe anxiously, while she
Strengthened his collar, and pulled up
his cuffs and gave him general over
looking, as she asked the question.
"Im well enough, ! believe, pussy
was Tom answer, with a glance down
at her fair face. "a little overworked
perhaps, that's ALL"
"Well, you mustn't work SO hard
Tom"
Easier said than done, my dear
You know our firm does land-office
business, for young fellows"
"Well, that was what you wanted
when you went in with Rassmann
wasn't it %
Eyes. But we've got to pay out
this year, or lose the business, and il
keeps us on the grind, l tell you"
"Um-m-m !" cooed Mrs. Lucy, get.
ting hold of the upper button Of his
coat, and pretending to examine it in
tently. "Then perhaps I'd better not
ask what was going to-"
"Sing it out, puss! Some new gew'
gaw, / suppose -
"Well-Tom-if we go to Mrs OF
to's party"
(Which l presume we shall have to
do, though it's COMPOUNDED bore p
put in irreverent Tom.
"Now, Tom !" It's great honor
to be invited to Mrs. Otto's !"
ooh, is it? Excuse me, then p
said Tom, looking down on her with a
laughing light in his eye, which told
he was only chatting her. Tom didn't
care for parties, it was true, but as
Mr.. Otto had already aided him great.
ly in his business, he did think it ad.
visable to attend this one. "Well
what is it you need, pussy ?" he added
81 need new dress, Tom Indeed
l do My best silk is, oh, awfully
shabby! Hardly fit to wear %
"You have your eye on something
then ?"
"Well-Tom-there's a beautiful
heliotrope silk at Myers and Fink's,
and I've got lace that would do for a
front"
"And what would be the full cost
of the rig, my dear ?"
Toni know you'll think it's aw-
full but couldn't get it, dressmak
er's bill included, for less than hun
dred dollars"
Tom did look grave. But he would
not deny Lucy, when there was any
way to avoid it. She was such a dear,
bright little thing, and she kept his
home so tidy and cozy, doing all her
work without girl, that he felt as if
she had a right to the pretty things
which became her so well. After a
moments study, he said, kindly -
Call right, pet. haven't so much
with me, but if you'll come down to
the office after bit, I'll have it for
you"
oil come! You're dear, good
Tom to let me be so extravaganza"
81 want you to have good time
while you can" answered Tom. But
as he bent to give her good.by kiss,
he sighed, and she heard the sigh.
Somehow she couldn't forget it,
while she flew about doing her morn
ing work, setting her pretty house in
order before she went down town.
"Now if Tom thought really was
extravagant he would have said So"
she unused, as she dressed herself for
the street. "And / shall not worry
over it until he does" And she gay
ly tripped to the corner to catch the
down town car.
Riding along she CHANGED to over
hear a conversation between two solid
elegantly-dressed elderly ladies, which
astonished her.
"Well, l don't see how such people
keep up" remarked one, evidently
alluding to some acquaintance. "My
husband has great opportunities for
business observation. you know, and
he says some of them are bound to go
under before the winter Closes
"Yes, it will be hard season for
business men-Mr. Slemmer says 50
too" returned the other lady. HE
thinks there will be good many fail
ures among young firms, especially.
They will need every dollar to tide
them over"
Dear me !" we all need that said
the first lady. Those who have a
few spare bills laid away for an emer.
gency, are lucky this year"
The two left the car at that point,
and Lucy heard no more. But she
thought uneasily, as she pursued her
way to the Office, that they had not a
dollar put aside, and If anything hap