Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-20
THE LEAD PENCIL.

If my wife has failing, it is Lack Of
reverence She doesn't recognize those
property rights which should inhere to tho
personal belongings of husband. 1 got
that expression at a meeting of the Spar
tan Reform club, and it struck me as be-
ing good. If remember right, it was ut
tered by a fellow with chronic distaste
for work, whose wife supported him by
dressmaking. didn't tell Mile where I
got the expression when I quoted it to
her, but she Immediately said:
"That sounds like Jeff Sinks.
Then she laughed. My wife has very
musical laugh.
think that was mildly reprimanding
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 a tool Of any kind, want to
know just where to lay my hands on it.
It's a kind of religion with me, and 1T
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 for
my eleventh commandment, "Order is
heavens first law"
1t isn't alone gimlets; it is hammers,
and screwdrivers, and knives, and Lord
knows what all Why, she has even tam
pered with my razors.
offered to buy her razor of her own
the last time she meddled with mine, but
she said she guessed we didn't really need
but one in the house. What can you do
with such wolnanl
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
it is connected
One day last July Jim Outhwick came
into the station just as was closing up to
go to supper. Jim is the paymaster at the
Vulcan mills and right good fellow.
"Hello, Joe, he said. CAN alone?"
eyes, said; "what's up?''
He flung canvas grip on the table and
said
II must go down the road tonight to
Ashville. There's talk of 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 big
show of my money. That's bluff that
generally goes. The boys'll make up their
minds the company can't be scared, and
they'll get into line again. There $26, 900
in that bag, joe"
I looked at the bag on the table and
looked back at Jim.
"What do you bring it here for?" asked.
"That's easily explained, he answered.
~ got the word to start for Ashville just
half an hour ago. The money was made
up in hurry, and didn't have time to
go home. couldn't very we'll stay at the
mill, and wouldn't go to the tavern. So
just thought 1 d come down here and get
you to stay with me until the night freight
comes along. She'sdue at 9:3O, isn't she?"
'Nine thirty -fve,' answered "But
I'm just off for SUPPER
ooh, that's all right" he said II feel
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 back
and keep me company, won't your"
II will If Minnie lets me off," said.
"I'm booked for cribbage Will hor o.ftor
supper.
"You tell Minnie I'll bring her the pref.
test cribbage board in Ashville il she II
lend you for a couple Of hours" laughed
Jim.
There was stout old safe in the corner
of the office that had nothing in it but
blank waybills and reports. l unlocked it
and tossed the canvas bag inside.
"There," 1 said, as l thrust my bunch
Of keys in my sack coat pocket, "that
makes it little safer"
thought Jim looked 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 word about the money, how
ever. I knew it would worry her, and, to
tell the truth, it worried me little.
was sorry Jim brought it there, and
didn't like his talk about precautions.
Well, after supper l went out to see if
the dog was all right-I've got the finest
mastiff in the state-and when came
back Minnie called to me from the sitting
room:
"Just minute, Joe. I'm writing a
note for Hattie.
Hattie is the wife of the telegraph oper-
ator, and I knew that Minnie wanted me
to leave 1t at the station, where he could
get it in the morning. twas quite mum.
Der Of minutes, however, before she came
out with the note and my vest and coat. II
was so warm I had left them off before
supper.
Hadn't you better let the dog &C with
you, Joe?'' she asked, as she helped me
with my coat.
"No, no, said, laughing. "He'll stay
at home and take care Of you. I'll put the
lamp in the window, though, SO you'll
know I'm all right" That was great
joke of ours, but Minnie didn't laugh as
she usually did.
Mind" she said, "I'll watch for it,
and II it isn't there I'll come down after
you"
I'm station master at Y. Our road is
what's called the oH line, and travel on ii
is light, mostly freigh5. 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 shutdown. 1t is only few
rods from our home however, and I fee
that it's under my eye all the time.
thought of this as walked back to thu
station, and didn't half like the idea o.
all that money being about
found Jim with his heels on the desk
putting away at good cigar
"Not an ALARM, he said in his joking
way, mot even mouse
We chatted away for an hour or more
when Jim suddenly put down his feet and
yawned heavily.
Joe, he said, "if you don't mind, I'll
20 out and take a little stroll"
60 ahead said, "but mind you're
not gone long"
After he had stepped out was sorry
let him 60. The thought Of being alone
with all that money was disquieting.
followed him to the door and looked out