The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-06-08
4 SUPPOSABLE CASE.


II any living soul had dared to in
sinuate to Mr.. Delameter that her hus
band was capable Of a meanness. she
would have arisen in her wrath and
hurled indignation at the offending in
sinuatOr. And yet there had been
times in the course Of their year OF
married life when she had almost ad
mitted as much to herself in her in
most heart, though she had always
hastened to assure herself that he
didn't intend it" and was 'only
thoughtless."
The trouble lay in nutshell there
was only one pocketbook in the Della
meter family, and its abiding place
was Mr.. Delameter's pocket. To a
woman who had supported herself
single handed and alone for several
years previous to marriage it seemed
unbearably humiliating to be obliged
to sue for every dollar she spent, to say
nothing Of being expected to explain
for what particular purpose each in
diyidual dollar was to be expended,
That morning she felt that the last
straw had been added to her humilia
ton. She had conceived the brilliant
plan Of asking for more money than her
immediate necessities demanded, with
the idea OF sparing herself Il few un-
necessary humillatlons III the near
future. She had screwed up her cour-
age as she ate her breakfast to ask
timidly. as Mr. Del: meter rose from
the table:
TON, can you spare me Sl0?"
w hats the trouble now?" asked
Mr.. Dclameter good naturedly.
'I-need pair OF boots"
"Nhew, Ten dollars for a pair of
boots q and he arched his eyebrows,
still good naturedly.
No" stammerad his wife, feeling
and looking as guilty as though she
had robbed a neighbor'5 clothesline
over night, the boots will be only 50.
but I thought it would be handy to
have a little money by me and-not to
have to trouble you so Oftenn
And Mr.. Delameter her face grew
hot, and she breathed fast every time
she thought Of it-Mr Delameter took
- bin and 81 bill and q silver half
dollar, and laid them on the table. say
ing in an offhand way, Il guess that'll
% you this time" and then put up his
pocketbook and went away whistling.
Mrs. Delameter was a good little
woman, and she endeayored Loyalty to
find excuses for such atrocious con
duct, She was a forgiving little wo-
man, too, and SO when the clock on
the mantel struck the half hour after
5 she folded up her work, and set the
tea table with the puffy cream cakes
MIR. Deiamcter 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 uhe peaches she
canned the fall before, and made the
tea IN the precise manner he liked it
made.
And lIr. Delameter came home, and
gave his wife an affectionate greeting,
and looked at her admiringly across
the table, and praisd her cream cakes.
And after supper he drew her down
on his knee and said how jolly it was
to have a home OF ones own and not
have to live III 4 horrid boarding
house. and he was altogether in such
a pleasant mood that Mrs. Delameter
dared attempt a little serious talk and
paved the way by informing him
that:
Miss Southernwood came to see
me to-day"
'Ah! She's the millinery lady, l be
lieyeH'
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 & shop" said Mr.. Delameter, with
considerable spirit.
i wish you'd let me doit."
For goodness sake what for and
Mr.. Delameter spoke little testify
this time.
Because lit would seem so good
to have little money OF my own
We'll, don't yoa have money of
your very own? al that's mine is
yours"
L suppose so-but, Oh, Tom, you
don't know how hate to ask for it,
You silly little goose, Did l ever
refuse you! l can't see why under the
canopy you should feel that way
but really, Tom, | think-Im al
most sure-you would feel the same
way"
Nonsense! [ shouldn't either. I'd
just as lief ask as not"
Would you be willing to prove it?"
Certainly | would if there was any
way, but l don't quite SEE
Tom, viii you prove it if Iii think
of { way?"
"3pm well -yes-I guess SO. What's
the way?'
~ eli, I'll take the money l laid up
before was married out OF the bank.
and when your pay day comes you
Will put every cent of your money in
TO the bank"
w ell. [ will-on your book?"
.'Oh, no, That would spoil every
thing. Promise me you won't ever
try to replace my money!
We'll, | promise" said II Della
meter, laughing at her earnestness.
Then he looked thoughtful for sev
eral minutes
How long must the experience last
to convince you?"
We'll, l think q month would do,
don't you?"
I think it would" he answered
dryly.
Mr.. Delameter frogot his agreement
TIL just as he was being paid off the
next day, and then, being a man OF
his word, he stopped on his way home
and empled his pockets into the cof
fers of the bank, carrying away with
him solitary nickel, which be had
overlooked in the pocket whore he
kept his Cur fares. Then the whole
affair slipped from his mind.