Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-04-09
A MUTUAL SURPRISE.

left mep' asked Prof. w of his wife,
who entered his study.
''No, sir"
ut was his excellency, the former
minister, Baron P"
Indeed! But how am to know all
excellencies!" she exclaimed, shrug-
dwelling in our street is occupied by nm
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?"
swell, well, just as 1 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
have a caller" grumbled the professor.
spray, what is wrong with the furni-
ture?"
wrong? Everything is wrong tell
you," she retorted, hotly. Look at the
sofa, at the chairs"
hC pAolCoSol pun oll Alio = id$ooS~o ubo
inspected the seats and frames of the
pieces indicated.
II think" he began in an earnest, de-
hberate way, as though dissatisfied with
something, II really think the furniture
does show signs of wear.
"It is old and unfit for use," his wife
decided, land q disgrace to the room,
ho+ Sc hn hyyx
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
lord, she extended her hand to him,
looking up expectantly.
GAIL right" she said, "hand me the
money. I could not buy set like this
for less than 500. You remember it
was part of my dowry. In those days,
some 20 years ago. it cost trifle 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 $1O0?"
Nowhere, my dear, I am ready to
take an oath! And for that reason I
think it is perfectly superauous 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 trifles like trousers and
so forth made by tailors.
AS matter of fact single glance at
the professor sufficed to show how sue
cessfully she had practiced economy in
his garments.
"Did you know" he asked after lit
tie, what the minister wanted?'
"How should II"
"He notified me to be prepared for q
great distinction"
"What? perhaps an order or a
title-?"
''Not improbable!"
Sand we are apt to receive callers and
congratulations"
"Possibly!"
"Whom you would receive in this
room?"
Certainly"
''Not in the parlor?"
'sNo!"
'Tndeed! Well, then, now insist on
having a 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. Moth.
ing like that happened. His wife at.
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, she once more stood be
fore the sofa. Deity she ripped oper
a piece of the covering, and as soon a,
she was able to take look at the wrong
side, she assumed a challenging posi-
ton, saying to herself:
Triumph! 1 knew it! My husband
shall soon see what practical anc
economical wife he possesses.
"Jaconde, Euphrosine," calling he,
grown daughters, ''listen to me, both o
you! You are aware that your father
birthday is at hand. You have alread,
procured presents, and am getting thu
newspaper case he coveted, but shout,
dearly love to show him another atten
ton. He limited to-day that his stud,
needs a new set of furniture. But ,
good serviceable set costs at least 500
and money is scarce. While ponderin.
how to manage, had an idea Conn