The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-06
THE LEAD PENCIL.

THE LEAD PENCIL.
If my wife has failing, IT Is lack o
reverence She doesn't recognize thos
property rights which should inhere to tn
personal belongings of husband. I go
that expression at a meeting of the Spar
tan Reform club, and 1t struck me as be
ing good. II remember right, 1t was ut
tered by fellow with chronic distast'
for work, whose wife supported him b.
dressmaking didn't tell Millie where
got the expression when I quoted 1T tx
her, but she Immediately said:
"That sounds like jeff Sinks"
Then she laughed. My wife has vor!
musical laugh.
think that 1 was mildly reprimandine
her at the time for mislaying the gimlet
I'm the most particular fellow you eve
saw about keeping everything in its place
When l want q tool Of any kind, want tt
know just where to lay my hands on it
It's kind of religion with me, and Il
hurts me terribly to find things in confu
sion. That's where my wife's lack Of rev
erence comes in. She has no respect fol
my eleventh commandment, "Order Il
heavens first law"
1t isn't alone gimlets; 1t is hammers
and screwdriyers, and knives, and Lort
knows what ALL Why, she has even tam
pered with my razors.
I offered to buy her razor of her OWL
the last time she meddled with mine, bu
she said she guessed we didn't really neet
but one in the house. What can you dc
with such womanP
Well, now that you understand my
wife's failing-I'll admit it's her greatest
one-I'll go on with the story with which
1t Is connected.
One day last July Jim Outhwick camt
into the station just as was closing up tc
60 to supper. Jim is the paymaster at tht
Vulcan mills and q right good fellow.
"Hello, Joe, )" he said. "All uloneS"
Eyes" / said; whats up?"
He flung u canvas grip on the table ant
said
II must go down the road tonight te
Ashville. There's talk of a strike among
the miners, and I've got to be on hand
first thing In the morning. I'm to offer tc
pay off the dsatfected ones and make a big
show Of my money That's bluff that
generally goes. The boysll make up theil
minds the company can't be scared, ahd
they'll get into line again. There s26, 00C
in that bag Joe"
l looked at the bag on tho table anG
looked back at Jim.
"What doyou bring 1t here forP' l asked
"That's easily explained" " he answered
81 got the word to start for Ashvillu JUS
half an hour ago The money was made
up in q hurry, and didn't have time t.
go home / couldn't very well stay at tht
mill, and wouldn't go to the tavern. ST
just thought I'd come down here and get
you to stay with me until the night freight
comes along. She's due at $3.50, isn't sher
"Nine thirty five" answered. "But
I'm just off for supper"
"Oh, that's all right" he said. ~ fee
safe enough here. I'm armed to the teeth
you know, and there wouldn't be any dan
ger until after dark. But you'll come bacb
and keep me company, won't your"
81 will IL Minnie lets me off, said
"I'm booked for cribbage with her aftel
supper"
"You tell Minnie III bring her the pret
tiest cribbage board in Ashville il She L
lend you for couple Of hours, 3" laughed
Jim.
There was stout old safe In the cornel
of tho Office that had nothing in 1t bu
blank waybills and reports. l unlocked il
and tossed the canvas bag inside.
"There," said, as thrust my bunch
Of keys in my sack coat pocket, 'that
makes it little safer.
I tbn,rrht Ti,,, lpol,nI I,,Ii
this precaution but he laughed and said:
IAN right, my boy. III make myself
comfortable until you come back"
Minnie didn't want me to 60 out oni
bit, but l told her Jim counted on me.
didn't say word about the money, how
ever 1 knew it would worry her, and tt
tell the truth, 1t worried me little.
was sorry Jim brought It there, and
didn't like his talk about precautions.
Well, after supper went out to SEQ ii
the dog was all right-l've got the finest
mastiff in the state-and whom l came
back Minnie called to me from the sitting
room:
".Tust minute, ice. I'm writing a
note for Hattie"
Hattie is the wifeof the telegraph oper
ator and l knew that Minnie wanted Inc
to leave 1t at the station, where he could
get it in the morning. twas quite mum
ber of minutes, however, before she came
out with the note and my vest and coat, II
was SO warm l had left them off before
supper.
Hadn't you better let the dog go with
you, Jos1" she asked, as she helped me
with my coat
NO no." l said, laughing. "He'l stay
at home and take cure of you. I'll put the
lamp In the window, though, so you II
know I'm all right" That was great
joke of ours, but Minnie didn't laugh as
she usually did.
Mind" she said, "Ill watch for IT,,
and if it isn't there I'll come down after
you"
I'm station master at Y. Our road Is
what's called the old line and travel on it
Is light mostly freight At night the sta.
ton is deserted, there being no business
for either telegraph operator or ticket
agent This leaves the station practically
deserted after sundown. II is only few
rods from our homo, however, and / feel
that it's under my eye all the time l
thought of this as | walked back to the
station, and didn't half like tho idea of
all that money being about
] found Jim with his heels on the desk
putting away at u good cigar.
"Not an alarm" he said In his Joking
way, mot even mouse"
We chatted away for IN hour or more,
when Jim suddenly put down his feet and
yawned heavily.
doe" he said, ''if you don't mind, III
60 out and take little stroll.
go ahead, l said, "but mind you're
not gone long"
After he had stepped out was sorry
let him go. Tho thought of being alone
with all that money was disquieting
followed him to the door and looked ont.