Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-06-04
A SUPP0SABLE CASE.

III any living soul had dared TO lnSlnuate
4, to Mrs Delameter that her husband was
capable OF meanness. she would have
arisen in her wrath and hurled indignation
at the offending insinuatOr And yet
there had been times in the course Of their
year Of married life when she had almost
admitted as much to herself in her Utmost
heart, though she had always FASTENED to
assure herself that he didn't intend it"
and was only thoughtless."
The trouble lay in a nutshell-there was
only one pocketbook in the Delameter fam
lily, and its abiding place was Mr.. Delame.
ter's pocket To woman who had sup
ported herself single handed and alone
for several years previous to marriage it
seemed unbearably humliating to be
obliged TO sue for every dollar she spent, to
say nothing of being expected to explain
for what particular purpose each Individual
dollar was to be expended.
That morning she felt the last straw had
been added to her load of humiliation She
had conceived the brilliant plan of asking
for more money than her immediate neces-
sites demanded. with the idea Of sparing
herself few unnecessary humiliations in
the near future. She had screwed up her
courage as sheate her break fast TO ask tim
idly, as Mr. Delameter rose from the table.
Tom, can you spare me Sl0;"
What's the trouble now" asked Mr.
Delameter good naturally
"I-need pair Of boots"
'Whewl Ten dollars for pair of bootsP
and be arched his eyebrows. still good ma.
turedly
No stammered his wife, feeling and
looking as guilty as though she had robbed
a neighbours clothesline over night, "the
boots will be only 50. butt thought il
would be handy to have little money by
me and-not to have TO trouble you so Of
ten"
And Mr.. Delameter--her face grew hot,
and she breathed fast every time she
thought Of it-Mr Delameter took 81 bin
and 81 bill and a silver half dollar, and
laid them on the table, saying in an off
hand way. i guess that'll do you this
, time" and then put up his pocketbook and
went away whistling.
Mrs. Delameter was a good little woman
and she endeavored loyalty TO find excuses
for such atrocious conduct. She was for
giving little woman, too, and so when the
clock on the mantel struck the half hour
after she folded up her work, and set the
tea table with the puffy cream cakes Mr.
Delameter so loved and which she had
made in the morning, and put on the even
slices OF homemade bread, light as a feather
and sweet as "a nut, and opened a jar of the
peaches she canned the fall before, and
made the tea in the precise manner he liked
it made.
And Mr.. Delameter came home, and gave
his wife an affectionate greeting, and
looked at her admiringly across the table,
and praised her cream cakes. And after
supper he drew her down on his knee and
said how Jolly it was to have home Of
ones own and not have to live in horrid
4 boarding house, and he was altogether in
such pleasant mood that Mrs Delameter
dared attempt little serious talk and
paved the way by informing him that:
Miss Southernwood came to see me to
day"
"Ahi She's the millinery lady, | believer"
'She wants me to trim hats for her in my
spare time this summer"
"Indeed Well, ] hope you sent her to
the right about face in double quick time
The idea of my wife working in n shop"
said Mr.. Delameter, with considerable spirit
~ wish you'd let se do it"
For goodness sake, what fort" and Mr.
Delameter spoke a little testify this time.
Because lit would seem so good to
have a little money of my own"
well, don't you have money of your very
own All that's mine is yours"
81 suppose so-but. oh. Tom. you don't
know how hate to ask for it."
"You silly little goosel Did ever refuse
your can't see why under the canopy you
should feel that wayr
But really, Tom, | think-l'm almost
sure-you would feel the same way"
"Nonsensel | shouldn't either I'd just
as lief ask rs not"
Would you be willing to prove it,"
Certainly would II there was any way
but don't quite SEE
"Tom. will you prove it II I'll think Of a
wayi"
MIN. well-yes-I guess so What's the
wayf"
well, I'll take that money laid up be-
fore was married out Of the bank, and
when your pay day comes you will put
every cent of your money into the bank"
well, wilton your book"
"Oh, mol That would spoil everything
Promise me you won't ever try to replace
my money!
"Well, PROMISE" said Mr.. Delameter,
laughing at her earpestness.
Then he looked thoughtful for several
minutes
How long must the experiment last to
convince your"
"Well. think month would do, don't
your"
II think it would" he answered dryly.
Mr. Delameter forgot his agreement till
Just as he was being paid off the next day,
and then, being a man Of his word, he
Htopped on the way home and emptied his
pockets into the Golfers Of the bank, carry
ing away with him solitary nickel, which
he had overlooked in the pocket where he
kept his car fares. Then the the whole ar
fair slipped from his mind.
The next morning he parted with the
nickel to the car conductor with cheerful
Inconsistencies and realized not that he
wis penniless.
He was opening his luncbbox at noon,
when, as Luck would have it, there sudden
ly appeared before him friend Of his boy
hood days who had grown rich and aristo
cratic in the years since they had met Mr.
Delameter, In an exuberance Of hospitality,
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