The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-06-30
A VICTIM OF BARGAINS.
The Story of a Man With an Eco
nomical Wife.

attorney, healthy and happy, not at all
wealthy, but reputed to be wise. 1t
was near the first anniversary OF his
wedding. l had been away from the
city for long time, and l had hardly
seen him since l helped'to install him in
q pretty uptown fiat which he evident
ly regarded, in prospect, as little pri-
vate paradise. / was startled to see
the changes which married life had
wrought in him. He had haggard,
tired expression, he was shabbily
dressed, and he was so thin that might
almost have suspected him of being ill
fed. Words, if they had been appro-
pirate, could not have conveyed my sor-
row; nothing could conceal the sur
prise which I tried to hide under
CHEEKY salutation. 1 could see the pain
nv exp1 ession gave him. He brought
the subject up Immediately.
Changed since you saw me last, am
not?" he said.
admitted hesitatingly that he was
trife thinner. 'Grip?" l ventured to
suggest. He shook his head. We were
not twenty steps from noted restau-
rant where, in the days of his bache-
lorhood, we had often gone together.
Come into Cherbini's," he said, "and
have bite of luncheon. 1t will seem
like old times"
Ten minutes later we had installed
ourselves in the private room which we
knew so well, and out old waiter had
spread a luncheon before us and smil-
ingly taken his dismissal-and a lib
eral tip. II was light luncheon, for
had had late breakfast; and. in spite
of his hungry appearance, my friend
did not seem to have much appetite.
He explained the dismissal of the
waiter by saying that he did not care
to be stared at surreptltiously by one
who could not fail to notice the change
in his appearance. Then he insisted on
hearing me talk about my travels, un-
til the luncheon was almost finished;
then he broached the subject of his own
affairs
"You wonder" he said, looking out
of the window and drumming on the
table with his fngers-"you wonder at
my changed appearance. 1t must seem
striking to you, who left me so well
and so happy year ago. Perhaps you
will wonder still more when | tell you
that have not been sick. No, | have
not known a days sickness since l saw
you last"
He paused, and sat silently waiting
for him to resume. Presently he said,
beginning slowly and very deliberately:
81 am a victim of the bargain counter
of the man who writes the insidious
advertisements which glare at you every
morning in the columns of your favorite
paper. How l hate the sight of their
five dollars and twenty-five cents
worth ten dollars and their less than
cost their bankrupt stocks and their
removal sales! You would hardly be-
lieve it, old man, but they have brought
me to what am; and through the in
nocent agency of my dear little wife"
There was tear in his eye, and he
stopped to wipe it away. Then he con-
| tinued:
"rhey say that the world of cranks-
| of men and women mentally unbal-
anced-is growing every day. The an
archist crank is becoming a serious
feature in the social world. We will
have new species of cranks soon-the
bargain counter crank. / cannot be.
| lieve that Anita is the first OF the
| species. Thousands of other homes,
am sure, conceal q skeleton like mine.
But the possibilities of the mania's
| growth are limitless.
"Its development in Anita began
soon after we were married. Her par
| ents, as you know, We're comparatively
poor people, though refined; and 1 sup
pose the habit of studying the adver-
tisements in the daily papers to learn
where to purchase with the greatest
economy was the outgrowth of neces-
sity. 1t has always seemed to me a
harmless, but vain, occupation-this
study of the advertising columns.
have seen my stenographer busy with
| them at times when there was lull in
her work, and have thought her rather
idle, purposeless young woman. sup
pose she, too, is a victim of the habit.
Poor thing!
For the first two months after oul
marriage Anita and 1 were travelling,
and nothing could exceed our happiness
I tried to make her contented in every
way; and she was SO pleased with every
thing she saw and so grateful for all
that did for her comfort!
sit had always been my theory that
mans wife should know no more
| about business matters than is neces.
sary to maintain q feeling of confidence
and of interest. Anita came to me in
the sweetest way, one day, and said
Dear, you must tell me just what your
income is, so that l can know how much
l may spend for dress and housekeep-
ing
Il smiled and kissed her. THAT must
never worry your little head ! replied.
THE housekeeper will look after all the
expenses of our little home, and what
ever you want for yourself you mus
buy and have the bill sent to me-
Il shall not be extravaganza she re
piled, kissing me. 4 am poor man.
daughter, you know Poor little
Anita!" He paused and shool. his heac
sadly as he repeated: Poor little
Anita!"
After a moment he continued 81.
know it was my fault. In her owl
home she had been restricted to a Ger
tain allowance; she had been compelled
to keep the household and personal ex
penses within narrow limit. | should
have followed the same system; but
could not bear to think Of holding my
wife down to an allowance, NO.
said to myself, my interests will be hel
interests She will guard them morl
carefully than ! myself GOULD And 81