The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-26
THE
LEAD
PENCIL
From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

II my wife has a failure 1t is lack of
reverence. She doesn't recognize those
property rights which should inhere to
the personal belongings of husband.
/ got that expression at a melting of the
Spartan Reform club, and it struck me
as being good. If remember right 1t
was uttered by fellow with a chronic
distaste for work whose wife supported
him by dressmaking. I didn't tell
Millie where l got the expression when
l quoted 1t to her, but she Immediately
said:
"That sounds like Jaff Sinks"
Then she laughed. My wife has a
very musical laugh.
think that was mildly reprimand-
ing her at the time for mislaying the
gimlet. I'm the most particular fellow
you ever saw about keeping everything
in its place. When want tool of any
kind want to know just where to lay
my hands on it. It's a kind of religion
with me, and it hurts me terribly to
find things in confusion. That's where
my wife's lack of reverence comes in.
She has no respect for my eleventh
commandment-orde is heavens first
law
1t isn't alone gimlets, it is hammers,
and screw drivers and knives, and Lord
knows what all. Why, she has even
tampered with my razors!
/ offered to buy her razor of her
own the last time she meddled with
mine, but she said she guesses we didn't
really need but one in the house. What
can you do with such a woman?
Well, now that you understand my
wife's failing-Tll admit it's her great
est one-Tll go on with the story with
which it Is connected
One day last July, Jim Outhwick
came into the station just as l was
closing up to go to supper Jim is the
paymaster at the Vulcan mills, and
right good fellow.
Hello joe" he says, "all alone?"
YES" 1 said: whats up?"
He flung canvass grip on the table,
and said:
Il must go down the road tonight to
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 to pay off the disaffected
| ones and make a big show of my
money. That's a bluff that generally
| goes. The boys'll make up their minds
| the company can't be scared and they
| IL
in that bag, joe"
/ looked at the bag on the table and
| looked at Jim.
| what do you bring it here for?" 1
| says.
That's easily explained" he an
| swored. 'I got word to start for Ash
vile just half an hour ago. The money
| was made up in a hurry and I didn't
| i,,nn 70 I ~
| well stay at the min, and / wouldn't
| go to the tavern. So I just thought
| I'd com. down here and get you to
stay with me until the night freight
comes along She's due at $50 isn't
| she?"
Mine thirty-five," I answered. But
I'm just off for supper"
"Oh that's all right" he said. 81
fnel safe enough here. I'm armed to
the teeth, you know, and there wouldn't
be any danger until after dark. But
you'll come back and keep me COM
pany, won't you?"
II will if Minnie lets me off," said
I'm booked for cribbage with heI
after supper"
You tell Minnie I'll bring her the
prettiest crbbage board in Ashville
! If she'll lend you for a couple OF
hours" laughed Jim.
There was a stout old safe in the
coz ker of the office that had nothing ir
IL WIT blank waybills and reports.
| unlocked it and tossed the canvas bae
| inside.
There" I said as thrust my bunch
of keys in my sack coat pocket, that
makes it little safer
l thought Jim looked a bit dubious
over this precaution, but he laughed
and said:
"All right, my boy. I'll make myself
comfortable until you come back"
Minnie didn't want me to go out one
bit, but told her Jim counted on me
l didn't say a word about the money
however. I knew it would worry her
and, to tell the truth, it worried me G
little. / was sorry Jim brought 1
there, and 1 didn't like his talk abou
precautions.
Well, after supper I went out to SCI
if the dog was all right-I've got tn,
finest mastiff in the state-and when
came back Minnie called to me from
the sitting room.
Just a minute, Joe; I'm writing ;
note for Hattie"
Hattie is the wife of the telegraph
operator, and knew that Minnie want
ed me to leave II at the station, wher
he could get it in the morning. 1t wa
quite a number of minutes, however
before she came out with the note ant
my vest and coat. 1t was so warm
had left them off before supper.
Hadn't you better let the dog g
with you, Joe?" she asked, as she helpe,
me with my coat
mo, no." said, laughing, hell sta,
home and take care of you. I'll pu
} the lamp in the window, though, s
. you'll know I'm all right"
That was a great joke of ours, bu
Minnie didn't laugh as she usually did
: Mind" she said, IN watch for II
and if it isn't there. I'll come dow,
! after you"
I'm station master Mt Y. Our road
, what's called the old line, and trave
g.. on ii is light, mostly freight. At nigh
the station Is deserted, there being n
, business for either telegraph operate
or ticket agent. This leaves the sta
, ton practically deserted after sun
, down. 1t is only a few rods from ou
i, home, however, and feel that it's un
, der my eye all the time. / thought G
this as I walked back to the static
, and / didn't half like the idea of a
= that money being about.
r / found Jim with his heels on tn
, desk pulling away at a good cigar.
mot an alarm" he said, in his job
l ing way. ""Not even a mouse"
= We chatted away for an hour G
t more, when Jim suddenly put down HI
Y feet and yawned heavily.
a Joe" he said. IF YOU don't minc
e I'll go out and take a little stroll"