Omaha daily bee., 1893-08-20
GOOD USE FOR CIGARS.

How n Shrewd Wife Shortened Her Hus-
bands Hours at the Lodge.
Living somewhere on Webster street
in Oakland, says the California World,
is gentleman whose Christian name is
Frank, and he is a strict business man.
He is one that has his own peculiar
ideas about married life. He thinks is
man provides literally for his wife
that ends his obligation.
Several years ago he took unto him
self wife who married him for love
alone, expecting to be with him always
when his days work at the Office was
over. Everything went along smoothly
until few months ago when he Joined
the MaSons. He proved to his wife that
1T was matter of business for her bene-
fit. In the first place it was one of the
largest orders and would be the means
of bringing his firm increased patron
age. Then being Mason showed that a
man was person of good character and
standing in the community, to say moth
Ing of the benefits she would derive
after his death. After considerable
parley he got her consent to join.
One morning the druggist whom this
family patronized, opened his eyes when
Mrs. Frank asked for four of his best
cigars, paying for the same 81:
Now, if,Mr. Frank is cranky on any
subject it is his intense hatred of
tobacco in any form whatever, and his
innocent looking little wife knew this.
Why, when he engaged a gardner the
first question he would ask was: "Do YOU
smoke or chew tobacco?" The man who
did never found work at his place.
When lodge night would arrive the
young wife looked sad as she thought of
having to stay all alone until 10 o'clock
Later on Mr.. Frank did not arrive at
home until IL and II o'clock, but the ex-
cuse was always, Had to stay until the
meeting was over, dear"
His dear, however, began to get sus-
picious that the meetings closed earlier
than her better half said. and that the
extra hours We're spent in the company
of certain boys" who liked a midnight
supper of eastern oysters. She set her
wits to work to think how she could cure
this husband of hers of his lately ac-
quired bad habits.
The night following the cigar pur-
chase was lodge night, and Mrs. Frank,
instead of retiring as usual on this par
ticuiar night, dressed herself in the
prettiest tea gown in her wardrobe.
Then she practiced while on the new
song, "After the Ball." and read until
about III o'clock. She then took from a
box cigar, lit it and watched it burn as
it lay on the fender at her feet The
ashes were then carefully brushed into
the fire.
A few minutes later Mr.. Frank ap-
peared and was surprised to find "wifey"
so cheerful and not in bed. He shifted
the fragrant fumes of a havana and Off
handedly inquired: Have you had
company this evening, dear?"
He was visibly startled when she an
swered mo"
"Was your brother Charles in?" he
further inquired, but the reply was again
NO"
The seed of suspicion was imme-
dately sown in his jealous nature, and
! after two or three more experiences of
smelling cigar smoke he concluded to
| slip home early and unexpectedly catch
| the fellow who visited his wife in his
absence. He discovered when he got
! home at 10 o'cloekat that everything was
| all right but later he was greeted with
| tobacco smoke.
lie is at a loss JtJ understand the mat
| ter and too proud " ask for an explanal
tion but all the same he has the mora
courage to tell the 'boys" they will have
to excuse him from their oyster suppers,
as his wife lis all alone in the big house
| and would be frightened to death il
| burglars should gat in."
In the meantime Mrs. Frank chuckles
to herself and is glad to get him home
on time.