The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-02

Money Order at risL)
with more of a snap than Ben had ever
heard from her.
Neither said anything more for a while,
and Ben began eating the things set before
him, then Molly very unfortunately made
up her mind to say
''Don't you think it would be nice for US
/ to go to tho excursion on ThnrSday?"
mo! l hate excursions. You know that,
Molly. There's nothing but a jam and
push, and lot of drunken men,"
Il suppose you are getting above such
things nowadays?" said Molly. sarcas-
tically.
Ben flushed.
ut amt because they are workngmen. ]
! am one myself. and always will be; but /
| don't like crowd of folks. Molly. / would
rather 60 of with you and the baby-we
three ali by ourselves"
''Oh. yesl that is all very fine, but not ut
all likely to happen, When are we to get
off to the seashore"
Il don't know" said Ben vaguely. ''but l
| hope"
80 dol Nonsense, Ben; you know we
cannot afford such things. But we can 60
TO the excursion, and l have made up my
| mind"
but rather you wouldn't, Molly"
why not? l am sure You can afford IL,
Ben. If Sam Brady can"
81 don't like the class Of men that 20 on
these excursions. Molly; nor women either.
for that matter"
Don't be a fool. Benz They are as good
as we are. It's just an excuse. You spend
all your money at those meetings, and |
never have a cent"
"MOlly!"
at is true And you stay away from me
all the time. The neighbors are talking
about it."
The neighbors be hangedW retorted
Ben, rising in yexati0n.
He trod on RoEer's tail as he rose, and
the dog, yelping pitfully, ran under the
table
sect out OF the wayv was Ben's angry
exclamation. giving the dog shove.
But his foot caught the leg Of chair and
overturned II. In trying to catch that Ben
hauled the tableclOth askew and knocked
down his pipe, which broke in two pieces
on the floor
"Confouud the lucki' muttered Ben.
stalking 10 the window. where he stood
with folded arms, browning out upon the
dark night, which threatened a coming
storm.
The baby. irritated by the hubbub, and
sitting neglected on the floor, set up a wild
wall, but Molly did not stir. She sat there,
resting her chin in one plump, dimpled
hand looking cross and uncompromising.
You may do as you please" she said,
eqrtly, but am going on the excursion.
If you won't take me l can go with Mrs
Brown. l nave money enough left of what
l earned on Mrs. Grants sewing"
'Nel, | won't take YOU" sad Ben,
angrily. You can do as you please"
In this mood they retired. The following
day was busy one at the polls. and Ben
did not see his wife after breakfast. The
day was Thursday, thee day of the excursion.
Ben thought Molly had abandoned the idea
Of going. but at breakfast he found her and
the baby all dressed and lunch-basket
standing at the door.
How pretty Molly looked in her fresh
muslin gown all covered with sprigs OF for
get-me-nots. But Ben's face clouded
sternly.
Molly. you are surely not In earnest p"
he said.
Certainly 1 ami" with toss of her read
II told you | would CO."
Ben said nothing, but took up his hat and
went out without touching a mouthful of
breakfast
Molly felt uncomfortable; bat her old
willful spirit had been aroused, and she
would lot give in, but hurried her prepare
lions.
HE will be hungry" she thought,
glancing at the clock, which allowed her
plenty OF time to clear away the things. 81
will leave him some bread and meat on the
dresser"
Ben did not come back. Molly got her
things together and went down to the sta
ton with Der baby and lunch basket alone.
But where was the eXcursion? The place
was deserted, and glancing at the station
clock she found her own had played her
trick. She was too late. The train he'd
left fifteen minutes before.
81 won't go back home," she dec Jared. In
fit OF vexation: and on the spur OF the
moment she went off to visit her cousin.
who lived on the other side of the town.
1t was not so nice as the seashore, and
Afz1l. Ia
evening came she was glad to 20 home and
she thought wistfully OF the reconciliation
which she and Ben would have at supper
1t surprised her when she reached the house
to find buggy at the curb and Mrs. Tibbs
standing In the door.
Good heavens, MollyW cried the old
lady. Where have you been? Didn't you
know Ben was huTt?"
ben hurtl' she gasped. turning deadly
pale and rushing into tie house.
There, ttherei Don't faIntI 'Tain't so
bad but he'll get better. though 1t is sore
enongh,for him-poor fellowl He's broke
his leg and colarbone."
where is hep" cried Molly, dropping
everything. and in moment she was kneei-
ing by Ben's side, weeping bitterly.
why, don't cry. Molly" said the brave
fellow. Il will soon be all right"
How did it happen, Ben? Oh, my poor,
dear husDaBdp
why, you see." he said family, sT got 10
thinking about IL, and IL did not seem quite
right TO let you and baby go off alone among
all those rowdy men but l was mad, Molly,
and | could not make up my mind until the
last minute to give in. Then / decided all
of sudden, just as the train started. /
hadn't any ticket or anything, but | knew
you were on board. aud ran for the rear
platform. / didn't know the train was
going so fast, and slipped and tell and
here lam"
"Oh, Benp she sobbed. at Is oil nv
fault / did not go on the excursion. 1
missed the train. But would have gone,
aDd-oh, can you ever forgive me?"
There, there, desrI Don't take on so
| was to blame, too. Molly, because dio not
tell You that / was working hard to save
money To take you away. The Working
mems Union pays me for speaking. /
thought | wouldn't tell you until l could
come and put the money Ia your lap and
say: There Moliie. darlingl You and
baby and will go down to the seashore and
spend whole month";"
"Ob, Beni And il was in nv heart 70
doubt you for moment
Never mind, little wifei I didn't do
what could to help things ont Don't let
US talk about 1t any more. We've made up
and we'll go when / ain able"
And SO they did. Mrs. Brown had lots
to say on the subject 10 Mrs. Tibbs. but
Molly never again made the mistake of
listening TO one who would turn her heart
against her husband