Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-11-07
GETTING EVEN.
An Impressive Account of Two Evenings
with the McSwats.

An Impressive Account of Two Evenings
with the McSwats.
IA cigar that costs a quarter is always
. good one, isn't It, Billiger?" asked Mrs.
McSwat.
"Not always, Lobelia, replied Mr.. Nc
Swat. "Not always.
eff it costs a quarter and Is put up in a
glass case with stopper at one end, it's
generally good one, isn't its"
Generally" he admitted, sying her
with some suspicion. "Whyf"
because + bought one for you this
morning at tobaoconist's and paid 25
cents for it. II you would like to smoke
it now, here 1t is y
Dinner was over, and they were sitting
on the veranda. 1t had begun to grow
dark.
With another sidelong glance at his wife
Mr.. McSwat took the glass inolosed cigar.
Removing 1t from Its case, he was about to
light it, when he felt something soft pro-
jecting from one end.
III you will increase my obligation to
you, Lobelia," he said, "to the extent Of
providing me with match, will proceed
to smoke this cigar, which," he added,
smelling it critically, 'seems to be very
fine one."
Lobelia went after the match, and Mr..
McSwat lost no time in examining the
gift. Grasping the soft projectile he had
felt, he pulled it carefully out.
1t was rubber band, long and slender,
that appeared to have been pulled into the
cigar by means Of darning needle or
some similar implement. 1t was long
enough to reach from one end to the
other.
He examined 1t as we'll as he could in
the fading light and placed it in his pocket
Just as Mrs McSwat returned with q
handful Of matches.
"Thank you, my DEAR" he said gravely,
striking ono Of them and lighting the
cigar.
For some moments he smoked in ST.
lence, Mrs MoSwat watching him with
the corner Of her eye but appearing to be
absorbed in contemplating the pale moon.
"Is-is 1t a good cigar, Billigers" she
presently asked.
Splendid, Lobelia, splendid" he re-
Joined with great heartiness. II don't
think I ever tpuff, puff smoked finer
| one."
"Has good flavor, hasn't itf"
Admirable, Lobelia, admirable. A
woman's inability [puff] to buy good
cigar [puff, puff is standing joke, but
you certainly [puffl have bought good
one. Paid a quarter for it, did your
"Y-yes."
swell, it's worth It,"
And he smoked on.
A week had vanished into the dim, ST.
lent past.
They sat on the verands again in the
cleaning
"Lobelia," said Mr.. Mcswat, carelessly
tossing small package into her lap, ~
you still retain your old appetite for choco.
late creams-and have reason to believe
you dol think you will like those They
are fresh from the confectioners
He lighted cigar and smoked In 81
lence, while Mrs. McSwat proceeded to
minister to the qualification Of her sweet
tooth.
One of the chocolate bonbons did not
seem to dissolve readily. 1t tasted unlike
the others and had a flexible core.
She took 1t out and disseoted it,
Its principal Ingredient she found to be
q long, slender rubber band, about which
there appeared to linger mild Cuban
flavor.
She looked at Mr.. McSwat. He was
gazing oontemplatively at the stars.
4 She silently threw the rest Of the candy
away.
/ And Billiger smoked on. - Chicago
Tribune.