The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-10-30

room?' he said. "My poor mother
bought it at an auction. She meant to
use it for a coverlet; but it's very pref
ty green, don't you think so, Sara, and
such nice material?'
There is limit to woman's patience;
this suggestion measured SaIa's. She
started to her feet, and gathering up her
bonnet and shawl, walked out of the
room. After she had gone Jonas really
looked at his check-boOk, and for at
least two minutes contemplated drawing
large check and telling his wife he had
been teasing her. But he could not
bring himself to do it.
After while his wife looked into the
room with her old bonnet on and her
shawl about her shoulders, and said:
"Jonas, am going to spend the day
with my sister-in-law, but I shall be
home before dinner time"
Il hope you will enjoy yourself, my
DEAR" said Jonas. He saw her eyes were
heavy with weeping, and he looked away
ashamed of himself.
Then he betook himself to his office
where he ground out his money, and
during the day compromised with him
self. He would do no extravagant thing,
but when he went home he would give
his wife what was necessary. And, after
all, he said to himself, it would have been
better to have done it. He had grieved
her, and she was the only thing he loved
on earth.
| He went home earlier than usual that
evening to make amends his soul would
consent to, and as he walked briskly
along, being light on his feet-for who
ever heard of miser growing fat?-he
thought that he never again would bring
tears to those good, kind eyes.
Never, never again, never again, and
then-what was that crowd? What had
happened? People were coming his way
looking backward as they came. Men,
boys, women and little children, all the
riff-raff that accident, or quarrel, or an
arrest will collect in the street; and now
close to four policemen, who with set
faces, marched in time, bearing between
them a stretcher, on which lay human
form. 1t was covered-covered with
shawl. Jonas looked. Oh, heavens, he
knew the pattern of that shawl! Only a
few hours before its faded palm leaves of
yellow brown, its faded fringe, its shah
by brown centre had been spread before
him.
1t was his wife's shawl.
''Stop-stop"' he cried. LET me see
herr"
''Do you know hero" asked the police
man.
''Let me see her facet" said Jonas,
growing so faint that a kindly man hard
by supported him by the arm.
you'd not know her face; a Autograph
pole fell on her; it's crushed out of
shape" said the policeman. "But
shawls are alike. Keepup your courage
don't thing she's any relation of yours;
she's too shabby. Look at her shoes;
see here, this is her bonnet You don't |
know that?'
He held up bonnet. 1t was crushed |
and soaked with blood; but Jonas knew |
it. The streaked purple ribbon, and
flower amongst other flowers that had |
lost half of its petals. lie had fingered it |
as it lay on the table beside him.
l..
Sara's. It's my wife's."
Then he pulled away the shawl from
the crushed face and tainted outright.
But as his senses left him he heard some
one say:
"His wife? Why thought she was a
beggarr
Like enough; they call him a miser
| know him. His name is Jonas Pray"
They carried the poor woman home to
Jonas Pray's old house, helping him to
follow as he came himself. She was laid
upon her bed, and there was coroners
inquest, and women prepared her body
for burial talking among themselves of
the shame it was, she, rich mans wife,
should be so clad; and then there was a
pause, that he might be alone with her if
would.
Before the time came he had a cab
called, and went out in it. He was driven
to large dry goods establishment, where
he asked to see the manager, and was
shown to his office.
The manager found him there pale,
miserable object, trembling and faint, as
one in deep illness. Hewas shabby, too.
''He has come to beg" thought the
manager; and his what can l do for
you?" was curt.
But Jonas cared nothing for anyOne's
manner now. He answered sadly:
Il want to buy shawl"
"a salesman will attend to you sir"
said the manager
NO" said Jonas, Il am too i'll, too
broken to talk to the salesman. / can
trust you. l want the costliest shawl
you have"
"a mailman" thought the manager.
"Our costliest is $780," said he, re-
pressing smile
''Have it put up for me- said Jonas.
Certainly mad" said the gentleman
to himself
But Jonas had drawn a check from his