News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-08-06
Mrs. FaTQllar's Victory.

exactly remember what did with it. "
'"This is singular; very singular, in
deedl'' oracularly observed her hus-
band, a fussy, balG-headed little man.
"And how am | to wind the clock with
out a key, I'd like to know? | never
forget, Mrs. Farquhar. Did you ever
know me to forget? And the short of
the matter is, that | shall have to buy
a new clock-keY-a new clock-key, Mrs.
Farquhar, just at this time, of all
others, when our expenses are so
overwhelming"
ga man with wife and six children
cannot expect to live for nothing"
said Mrs. Farquhar composedly.
"Starch, soap, candles, flannel
eyes, yes-exactly so," said Mr..
Farquhar. "But l have no time to
argue the matter this morning."
"And if you had," mercilessly per-
sisted Mrs. Farquhar, "you might ar
que from now till doomsday without
altering tho state of affairs. Here is
your hat, my dear, and don't forget
the paregoric, and Willie's shoes, and
Harry's hat and the plumbers bill.
The long business day lapsed slow
ly away and Mr.. Farquhar returned
home just as the gray shadows of
dusk were closing in, greatly rejoicing.
Twenty pounds clear gain," said
he, rubbing his palms together as he
sat down to the dinner-table. "Jones
borrowed it of me a month ago, and
when / heard he had gone abroad |
put it down as a dead loss. Never ex-
pected to see or hear from the man
again; and when he turned up to-day
with a Bank of England note, | give
you my word it seemed like a gift"
"And what are you going to do
with it?" said Mrs. Farquhar, who
was fastening the baby's bib.
81 don't know. | haven't thought
yet. | might go to Paris with Allen
and Ferguson and the other fellows"
"You might" said Mrs. Farquhar,
"and [ might have it for a new dress
and mantle. But think it would be
a more sensible way of spending the
money to settle the doctors BILL"
Mr. Farquhar laughed.
.'Well, my dear, i don't know but
you're are right, ,@3SaaSd he -eand j will
call around and pay it tomorrow.
The arrival of Master Tommy and
Miss Lizzie, fresh from the nursery,
broke up all further financial discus
sions between husband and wife, and
Mr. Farquhar thurst the bank-note
into his waist-coat pocket.
About midnight Mrs. Farquhar
awake her husband to tell him about
the burglar next door.
"Eh?" said Mr.. Farquhar, "a little
uneasily. GA burglar? At Mr.. Nor
ris'? And what was taken?
"Watches, silver, clothing, every
thing" said Mrs. Farquhar, lowering
her voice to a mysterious whisper.
'In the dead of night, while the fam
| lily were all asleep. Charles, dear, are
you sure you recollected to bolt the
front door and put up the chain?"
''Of course recollected it, said Mr..
Farquhar, little GROSSLY. 81 make
it my business recollect everything.
Go to sleep, my dear, and don't fret
And just as he was sinking off into
delicious slumber, Mr.. Farquhar
bethought himself of the $40 note.
"Yes, my waistcoat pocket" he
meditated; ''just where the thieving
scoundrels would be most apt to lay
their hands upon it, | wish l had
sent to pay the doctors bill tonight,
instead of postponing it until to-mor-
row. Halloa, though; have it!' as
a bright inspiration flashed into his
drowsy brain. Nobody will ever
dream of looking in the old boot; it
will be safe there until tomorrow,
and I'll get rid of itas quick as lean"
Mr. Farquhar went to bed and slept
the sleep of the righteous. And the
next morning, totally oblivious of the
whole proceeding, he arose and put
on his slippers and went down stairs
in beaming mood.
whats that, Bridget-a beggar
at the door," he demanded of the
servant maid
''He says he's no shoes, sir" said
Bridget, "an' the toes of him are on
the bare ground entirely"
"Poor fellowI And it's a sharp
frosty morning. too," said Mr.. Far
quhar. "Give him my old boots,
Bridget. | was going to have 'em
half-soled, but | fancy this man needs
them more than rS0.
"Where are they, sir?" said Bridget.
"On the floor by the bed upstairs.
Run quick, and don't leave the door
open. Run, that's a good girl"
The beggar-man took the boots
and went on his way rejoicing; and
just as Mr.. Farquhar was buttoning
his overcoat to depart to the regions
of business Mrs. Farquhar entered
the room.
"Don't forget to call around and
pay the doctor, you know"
Mr.. Farquhar's hands dropped to
his side-his face turned q dull, tai
low tint.
"The bank-note," said he mechan-
ically. Good heavens, it's gone!"
"Gone! Gone where?"
Mr.. Farquhar made blind dash at
the door, as if to overtake the beggar
who had shaken the dust of the thres.
hold off his feet two good hours ago
and then stood still. 1t was bad
enough to lose the $50 note, but it
was still worse to be compelled to
confess it to his wife. Yet what loon
hole of escape was there? He could
see none.
Give lost it," said he doggedly
II put it away and forgot all about
itr'
"Forgot all about itl'' repeated his
wife with a smile.
Eyes, that's positive fact" re
turned the husband.
Little Mrs. Farquhar's eyes spark
led mischievously.
81 thought you never forgot any
thing, my dear" said she.
81 am fooll'' confessed Mr.. Far
quhar-"and a conceited fool, too
But" with a piteous infection to hi.
voice, 81 would like to have paid tht
doctors bill. The times are hard, ant
but never mind. l won't get thai
new OyercOat / was thinking IF Thi,