The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-07-08
Mr.. Wilson'S Supply.
BY Mrs. May b. Brown.

z BY Mrs. May b. Brown. q
eeeeeeeeesssssosseeeeeeeee
oIF I could only 60 out and do some
thing to help earn money!" said
Mrs. Wilson, wistfully.
Mr.. Wilson laughed fondly, as one
shows amusement at the vagaries of
child, and patted his wife's cheek play
fully.
1.-The idea of little woman who has
been sheltered all her life, as you have,
going into the world as money getter!
You make frst-class wife and mother,
but that doesn't demand a knowledge
of the principles of business. No, we
will get along with what the man of
the house is able to earn, even if we
cannot buy the corner lot; so do not
let your mind stray from the province
In which you dwell 30 successfully to
work that you would not be able to
perform. My wife does not need
business head"
As her husband left the house Mrs.
Wilson walked to the window and
looked after him, with her mouth
drawn into firm scarlet line.
$50 I do not need a knowledge of
business principles, Asbury Wilson,"
said she, apostrophizing his retreating
form. You must have forgotten that
I have had to make use of them for a
number of years; that twice year 1
look up the tax receipts and pay the
taxes, often out of my own spending
money; that look after all our insur-
ance; that 1 always kept up the in
terest on the mortgage until we paid
it; that keep all the accounts of the
family, and that every claim is submit
ted to me for payment, to say nothing
of the business knowledge necessary
to make one dollar do the work of two
"a problem that a man seldom tries to
solve. It's all right, of course, and l
must put up with being considered a
business cipher; but if there is any,
thing in the doctrine of reincarnation,
hope you will be reborn as woman,
TO see If brains are not as necessary for
a wife and mother as for husband and
father!"
After this spirited speech Mrs. Will
son went about her work, which, that
morning, was the construction of a
stylish spring jacket for ~12-year-old
Edna out Of MIR. Wilson's light overcoat
oftwo seasons back, meaning saving of
from eight to twelve dollars toward
the June tax assessment.
Mr.. Wilson occupied the position of
travelling salesman for a grocery house,
and had been able to provide his family
with comfortable home and good
living. 1t was no business crisis that
brought forth Mrs. Wilson's wish to
earn money. but the chance to pur-
chase certain piece of property at a
most advantageous price. She could
see the INSTABILITY of such transac-
ton, and of her desire to see the in
vestment made was born her wish. Mr..
Wilson was proud to term himself a
'self-made man." and the idea that his
wife's work might have commercial
value, or that he might be compelled
to receive such aid from her, would
have been distasteful to him. He was a
most generous man, giving freely and
unasked, yet always conveying the
feeling that he considered the money
used by the family as his alone.
Through all the afternoon Mrs. Will
son could not help little feeling of re-
sentiment against her husband for so
coolly setting aside the idea of her capa-
biity; but the feeling vanished sud-
denly, when, at supper time, a closed
hack drove to the gate and two men
took from it stretcher. She flew to
meet them, and the man they were car.
Tying opened his eyes to say to her:
Its only broken leg, Chick, don't
be frightened"
1t proved to be "only broken leg
but how serious the effects would really
be to him she only knew late that night,
after the broken bones were set, and the
doctors gone.
1.-THE worst of it is, Chick" he said.
dolefully, between groans, Il was to
start tomorrow On that two weeks trip
up north, and it's the most important
one of the season. It takes in Great
Bow, Hinesville, Robinson and several
other smaller towns, all comparatively
new to our house, and i had timed nv
dates just ahead of the man from the
Occidental Grocery company. He'll get
every one of them, for the house
wouldn't have time to send supply in
my place, and it may be the means of
putting me on poorer route, since I
lost last month for them, because of
that Ia grippe" -. -,
In spite of his wife's efforts to Quiet
or cheer him, the man worried himself
through . restless and feveriah night.
The next morning, when he opened his
eyes, Mrs. Wilson stood beside him. in
her out-of-door costume.
1--WE found your supply, Asbury."
said she. Il sent over for mother last
night, you know, and she will stay here
while 60 up north in your place"
You go in my placer Great heavens!
Mary Wilson. you do not mean such
thing!"
Indeed do, Asbury." said she, un-
daunted by the horror in his face and
voice. Il can go over the ground, and if
J. don't do an well ~ you would, I win
save the route for the house, and for
you, anyway. It il two hours yet until
train time, and I can nit here for m
hour and half, with your lists and
books, and find ont where to 20, and
how to handle each man, and about the
prices, though I hAys helped you %
often with your writing that / eou3d
And out about the prices 1nyssh, j
think