Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-05-01
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.

cEaittii Is ~. -r- $780, '>g@
'.Do you know the man who has just
left me 81 asked Prof. W. of his wiAe,
who entered his study.
'No, sir"
ut was his exceilency, the former
minister, Baron P g..
Indeed! But how am to know all
excellencies:" she exclaimed, shrug-
cling her shoulders. "Almost every
dwelling in our street is occupied by an
ex-minister. But tell me, though, what
chair was his excellency seated upon?"
Seated on? Why, right here, on the
one next to which you are now stand
ing. Why do you ask?"
''Well, we'll, just as feared, and he
has sure enough seen all, the thread
bare sofa, the 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 I
have caller" grumbled the professor.
":I.ray, what is wrong with the furni-
ture?'' - ~-' 49,
wrong? Everything is wrong tell
you,'' she retorted, 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-
iiberate way, as thoughdissatisfied with
something, II really think the furniture
does show signs of wear.
"a l.. e.
decided, land disgrace to the room,
and that is the very reason why you
should receive all callers in the parlor."
Impossible" he responded gruffly.
81 would rather buy new furniture"
'Buy furniture-??''
The words seemed to make the little
woman speechless. Approaching her tall
looking up expectantiy.
''All right she said, ''hand me the
money. I could not buy set like this
for less than $100. You remember it
was part of my dowry. In those days,
some 20 years ago. it cost trifle less.
because rything was cheaper. The
covering of the sofa is heavy gros grain
silk, and the frame walnut. Where. do
you suppose, could L get such goods now
for $1OO?"
Nowhere, my dear, I am ready to
take an oath! And for that reason !
think it is perfectly superfuous to
keep your hand extended SO long" smil-
lngly 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
a good deal, considering that she had
gone to the length of learning how to
make mems wearing apparel, to not, be
obliged to have trifes like trousers and
so forth made by tailors.
As a matter of fact single glance at
the professor sufficed to show how sue
cessfully she had practiced economy in
MS garments. -~s~r; u ssasr -
did you know" he asked after lit
tie, ''what the minister wanted?'- 81
''How should I2' & {
''He notified me to be prepared for a
great distinction
What? perhaps an order or a
title-?" sf
Not improbable:"
'-And we are apt to receive callers and
congratulations!"- ~
"Possibly!",.
"Whom you would receive in this
room?'' s1~r~'
"Certainly!"
+. "Not in the parlor?"
"No!''
Indeed! Well, then, now I insist on
having new set of furniture the ex-
cited little woman exclaimed in her
most positive tone, which the professor
knew but too well, and which brooked
no gainsaying. se..- ~
He began to fear an assault upon his
Pocketbook. for now his better half dis
covered additional need every moment.
She was liable to insist upon new wall
paper, new curtains and new paintings
Almost every piece in the room had
been part of her dowry and done serr-
ice for 20 years, and had consequently
been long ago fit for the attic.
But he was for once mistaken. Moth
ing like that happened. His wife ut
tered not a word. Only her eyes sud-
denly shot a lightning fash at the
sofa. whereupon she suddenly left the
room.
An hour later. after the professor had
left the house. she once more stood be-
lore the sofa. Deity she ripped open
a piece of the covering, and as soon as
she was able to take look at the wrong
side. she assumed a challenging posi-
ton, saying to herself:
Triumph! [ knew it! Ny husband
shall soon see what practical and
economical wife he possesses.
Jaconde, Euphrosine,'' calling her
grown daughters. ''iisten to me. both of
you! You are aware that your fathers
birthday is at hand. You have already
procured presents. and am getting the
newspaper case he coveted, but should
dearly love to show him another atten-
ton. He limited to-day that lis study
1pp1S a. now cot Of