The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-04-09
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.

DO you know the man who has just left me?" asked Prof. W of his wife, who entered his study.
 No, sir ....
 1t was his excellency, the former minister Baron P-."
 Indeed! But how am to know all excellencies!" she exclaimed, shrug- ring her shoulders. Almost every dwelling in our street is occupied by m ex-minster. But tell me, though, what chair was hia excellency seated upon 2"
 Seated onf Why, right here, on the one next to which yoa are now stand- ing. Why do you ask?'
 Well, well, 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 cut.
 Always the same story. whenever have n caller" grumble d the professor. "Pray. what is wrong with the furni- ture?"
 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 an1 frames of the pieces indicated.
 "I think" he began in an earnest, de- liberate way, as though dissatisfied with something, II really think the furniture does show signs of wesr.
 Tt is old and unfit for use," his wife decided, "and a disgr,ce to the room, and that is the very reason why you should receive all caller' in the parlor." |"
 Impossible" he responded gruffly. q would rather buy new furniture"
 Buy furniture-?"
 The words seemed to make the little woman speeches.. Approaching her tall lord, she extended her hand to him, looking up expectantly.
 All right" she said, "hand me the money. I could not buy a set like this for less than $1OO. You remember it was part of my dowry. In those days. some 20 years ago. it cost 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 superfiuous to keep your hand extended so 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 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 matter of fact single glance at cessfully she had practiced economy in his garments.
 Did you know," he asked after lit- tie, what the minister wanted?'
 How should IF"
 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! We'll, then, now 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.
 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 serv- ice for 20 years, and had consequently been long ago fit for the attic.
 But he was for once mistaken. Noth- ing like that happened. His wife ut- tered not 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, she once more stood be- fore the sofa. Deftly she ripped open 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! My husband shall soon see what practical and economical wife he possesses.
 "Jaconde, Eupbrosine," 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 am getting the newspaper case he coveted, but should dearly love to show him another atten-