The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-04-11
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.

NO, sir"
1T was his excellency, the former
minister, Baron P"
Indeed. But how am l to know all
.excellencies." she exclaimed. shrup-
ging her shoulders. almost every
dwelling in u street is occupied by an
eX-minister. But tell me, though, what
chair was his eNcellency seated upon ."
Seated on? Why. right here. on the
one next to which you are now stand
ing. Why do You ask?"
We'll, well. just as l feared, and he
has sure enough seen all, the thread
bare sofa. tn" worn chairs Why will
you persist in receiving your callers in
this room. Is there no parlor?'
The good wOman seemed put out.
always the same story. whenever l
have a caller grumbled the professor.
pray, what is wrong with the furni-
ture?"
Wrong? Everything is wrong 1 tell
you," she rctorted, hotly. Look at the
sofa. at the chairs"
The professor put on his glasses and
inspected the seats and frames Of the
pieces indicated.
Il Think" he began in an earnest, de-
liberate way, as though dissatisfied with
something, Il really think the furniture
does show signs of wear.
1t is old and unfit for use" his wife
decided, and 4 disgrace to the room.
and that is the very reason why you
should receive all callers in the parloc."
impossible" he responded grutflv.
i would rather buy new furniture"
Buy furniture"
The words seemed to make the little
woman s~peechless. Approaching her tall
lord. she extended her hand to him,
looking up eXpcctantiy.
All right" she said. hand me the
money. I could O buy a set like this
for less than $lOG. You remember it
was part of my dowry. In those days.
some 20 years ago. it cost Il trifie less.
because everything was cheaper. The
covering of the sofa is heavy gros grain
silk, and the frame walnut. Where. do
YOU suppose, could | get such goods now
for S1OO?"
Nowhere, my dear, | am ready to
take an oath. And for that reason |
think it is perfectly smpertiuOus to
keep your hand extended st long" smil-
ingly retorted the professor. And he
meant it. Had his wife remained in the
same attitude for days and extended
her hands forever, he would never have
given her anything besides the house
hold money. because he was still more
economical than herself. which means
4 good deal, considering that she had
gone to the length of learning how to
make mems wearing apparel. 10 not be
obliged to have trifies like trousers and
so forth made by tailors.
As a matter of fact Il single glance at
the professor sufficed to show how sue
cessfully she had practiced economy in
his garments.
Did YOU know" he asked after a lit
tie, what the minister wantcd?'
How should II"
"He notified me to be prepared for a
great distinction"
What? perhaps an order or a
title"
Not improbable."
And we are apt TO receive callers and
congratulations"
"posSibly,"
"Whom YOU would receive in this
room?"
Certainly"
Not in the parlor?"
NO"
Indeed, Well, then. now insist on
having a new set of furniture" the eN-
cited little woman exclaimed in her
most positive tone. which the professor
knew but too well, and which brOOked
no gainsaying.
He began to fear al assault upon his
pOcketbOOk. for nov his better half dis
covered additional need every moment.
She was liable to insist upon new wall
p new curtains and new paintings.
Almost every piece in the had
been part of her dowry and done SER
ice for % years, and had consequently
beet. long ago fit for the attic.
But he was for once mistaken. Moth
ing Ike tLat happened. His wife ut
tered not a word. Only her eyes sud-
denly shot a lightning flash at the
sofa, whereupon she suddenly left the
room.
An hour later. after the professor had
left the house, size once more stood be-
fore the sofa. Deity she ripped open
4 piece CT the covering, and as soon as
She was able to take a look ut the wrong
side. she assumed a challenging posi-
ton, saying to herself:
"Triumph. l knew it. My husband
shall soon see what a practical and
economical wife he possesses.
"Jaconde, Euphrosine," calling her
grown daughters, listen to me, both of
you. You are aware that your fathers
birthday is at hand. You have already
procured presents, and l am getting the
newspaper case he coveted, but | should
dearly love to show him another atten-
ton. He limited to-day that his study
needs n new set of furniture. But u
good serviceable set costs at least 500,
and money is scarce. While bordering
how to manage. l had an idea. Come
closer. There! Look at the wrong side
of this gros grain covering. Does not
the stuff look almost as good rs new?