Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-12-19

well, IL that isn't too outrageous"
said Mrs. Browning, with sudden
flush of anger. "Why did you let him
of? If was . man tell you people
couldn't trifie with me that way. When
I earned my money I'd collect it."
There was danger that in addition to
the loss of the expected money there
would be the loss of that more precious
thing in the family, affectionate hnr-
mony and sympathy; for Mrs. Brown
ing was human, and had that human in
stinct which leads us to try to find some
one on whom to blame misfortunes and
disappointments. Her husband, with
an equally natural instinct, was inclined
to resent this, for he only knew how
hard it was to collect money even after
it was earned.
III you think you can collect better
than can" was the reply, lust try it.
You can take that bill for the balance
Col. Randall owes me, and see if you can
get it. We have nothing to fall back on
over last week. anyway"
The children had gathered around
and listened in silence and dismay to
the conversation. Cant we have any
Christmas now?" was their fearful
query; and when their mother sharply
told them moi" reechoing in her voice
and manner the anger of her spirit. it
was but few moments till they, too,
were inspired by the same discordant
feelings, and quarreling and angry
words were heard where but an hour
IN 70,
urable excitement.
John Browning modify waited while
his wife placed the supper of oat meal
and milk on the table. She herself was
almost faint for more substantial
meal, and Mr.. Browning in the earlier
part of the day had said to her: 1--WE
will have good steak for supper this
evening; working in the cold makes
fellow fearfully hungry" He was SO
full of chagrin now that he scarcely
noticed what he ate, and a gloomy ST.
the table. When the meal was through.
he said, as he put on his hat:
Il wish, Mary, you would take that
bill over to Col. RandaI's; it is but step,
and have to go clear to the other side of
the village to see if can get those other
small bills. Perhaps he will pay it to
you even quicker than he will to me.
Then must call and see the grocer and
butcher. Dear me, Id rather be dashed
than to meet them now"
With this he handed her the account
against Col. Randall and went out. The
original account had been $32.3O, and
there was the balance of $3.50 due.
Mrs. Browning washed up the tea
things, her mind filled with bitter and
complaining thoughts. She disliked to
go to Col. Randall with call for SO
small a balance; she feared he would
think them mean to ask for it. Then
she fell back to her mood of trying to
blame somebody. John was a kind
husband, but he was too easy with peo-
pie. 1t seemed to her that, if she were
a man, in some way or other she would
manage money matters better. They
would never get ahead at this rate of
doing things.
The early moon was shining brightly
when she was ready to go to Col. Ran
dalls with the bill. Giving the elder
children directions to put the younger
ones to bed. she muffled up warmly, for
it was bitter cold, and passed along the
short distance that lay between her lit
tie home and Col. RandalPs fine resi-
dence. Ringing the bell, she was ush
cred into the hall, and there left wait
ing while the servant called the gentle
man out.
"Good evening; what can I do for