Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-12-28
r.en 1. was that Jim Flcm,ng went

Irritation when he entered his own
house. Poor Minnie Fleming was very
much troubled to see her husband in
the state of evaporation that now en-
compasscd him She asked him, tim
idly, to confldc his woes to her, and
perhaps she might be able to help him
out-a suggestion which Jim received
with lofty scorn.
us it money trouble, Jim?" she
asked.
Now, what the deuce good would it
do you to know? Have you banking
count?"
II have q small, one" said his wife,
trembling as she spoke, for she felt
that her secret was in jeopardy.
Jim looked up at her quickly.
"a small one!" he said. Cant you
tell me plainly how much money you
have, II you have any?"
You don't tell me plainly" she an
swered with more spirit than she had
yet shown, chow much 1t Is that you
need"
Very we'll, replied Jim, grufily. 81
need Ave hundred pounds sterling.
Have you got it?"
NO, have not How soon do you
want it?"
II want it now. That is, want it
tomorrow or the next day at the
latest"
"Then," said his wife with dignity.
~ will see If can get it for you to-
morrow or the next day"
After Fleming had left for London
on the following morning his wife put
on her best apparel and was in the city
soon after her husband. She never
called upon her agent before. All her
negotiations had been carried on by
letter. She walked three times past
the Office before she had the courage to
60 up the stairs.
II have brought you here" she said,
her hands tremb bling as she undid the
string, for she seemed to have vogue
idea that II she showed him the writ
ing she might have less difficulty to
get along with him. II have brought
with me the complete manuscript of
the latest novel have written. think
1t is better than the last"
at is sure to be good" said the agent,
encouragingly.
ing, ~ wanted to know if you would
advance me five hundred pounds sterl-
ing.
DO you mean that we are to ask
that much for the novel?"
"Oh, no, no." said Mrs. Fleming ea-
gerly. "But promise to write you an
other one as soon as possible. l need
the five hundred pounds sterling for a
particular purpose, and must have it
to-day, If it is to do any good"
WELL" said the agent, 1--WE some
times advance money to authors, and
il l could be sure of having all your
| work for the future l think might
stretch point in this case and let you
have the money"
Meanwhile the agent, as soon as she
left the room, called the clerk and said:
Write to James Fleming, of POT
! Shots, that we regret that we are not
able to sell him Hilda Markham's story
for five hundred pounds. The author,
tell him, has called upon us and re-
! fused to sell for less than six hundred
| pounds, although, of course, you may
inform him that If he had taken our
offer when first made we would have
had to pocket the loss"
AS soon as the letter was signed a
messenger was sent with it to Fleming
The receipt of it nearly drove that
good man wild. He had the announce
ment of the story in type and wanted
to publish it in the next number He
had such little faith in his wife being
able to get the money that he had
actually forgotten she had promised to
do SO, and he went home that night
in even worse temper than the night
before.
His wife said apologetically to him
when he came in:
~ have gotten that five hundred
pounds, hut would it make any diifer-
encc to you II | did not give you the
check for it until tomorrow"
What are you talking about?" lie
cried, nngrily. IF you have the rnonc}
to-n'...ht why should ! wait TIL to-mor-
rowm
III have i. Al the form of chccif,
she answered, ''and the check wish t.
place in the bs-k."
"l'll warrant the check is not good
for anything" said Fleming. Let NC
| see it."
II would rather not do that said
his wife. II will give you the check
If you will not ask any questions"
"Good hcavens,' cried Jim. 81 win
ask NO questions II you really have the
| money. Let me see the check"
He looked at it for moment in
| amazement, and then ut his wife. For
| getting his promise, he said:
"How in Heavens name do you come
to have check from Greig &c Co.? 1t
As to Greig Il Co. that have to pay five
hundred pounds sterling; or rather if /
had the money yesterday or to-day it
would have been i've hundred pounds
sterling. Now they have raiaed me an
other hundred. They say that Iii!da
Markham came in to-day and refused
to sell her story for less than six hun
dred pounds sterling"
"Hilda Marlsham!" cried his wife
family.