Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-22
HIGH IDEAS OF HONOR.
That Made Her Husband Swear and
Tell Fibs.

could not get down town for the bar.
gain sale. She couldn't afford to miss
it, how ever, for the $50 her father had
sent her as a present the Saturday be-
fore was fairly spelling TO be turned
over into the hands of a shopkeeper.
1t wasn't often Mrs. Benson got SIS
in one lump, for times had been pretty
hard with them for good many
months and when she did have it she
wanted TO make the most OF il. So
Mr.. Benson was deputed to act in her
place.
II want you to get a set of teaspoons,
small rug for the front bedroom, a
dozen towels, willow rocking chair,
lamp. and a sailor hat for myself.
l don't care where you get them. Go
wherever you think you can do the
best. You're sure you won't forget?
Teaspoons. rug"
Yes. yes, I'll remember" interrupt
ed Benson.
He did HIS shopping before going to
the Office. Carpenter Bros had always
been his favorite merchants. so he
l
ing. He bought the sailor hat first.
The price was 81. Benson gave the
clerk SO bill to pay for IL and sat
down TO wait for her change. Presently
his ears were assailed by the jingling
OF many bells: a moment later the
floorwalker touched him on the shout
der and said with exceeding urbanity:
Here's your $40 bill. This hat is
free"
'Free!" repeated Benson In amaze
ment.
Yes" returned the foorwalker. "we
are making every tenth customer
present OF his purchase to-day. You
were the tenth, therefore the hat is
yours without cost"
Benson thanked him, and, pocketing
his SIC. went over TO the carpet depart
ment 70 buy n rug. He paid s. for that
and again rendered his $40 bill I'm pay
ment. Again he waited for his change,
| again there was n Changing OF bells.
| and again the attendant returned his
$40 with the statement that he was No.
10 again.
Benson walked away in n dazed con-
dition, but finally made bis way TO ths
lamp counter. Having bSn so FORUM
ate in his first two purchases he con-
cluded he could afford 10 be little ex-
travagant in the matter OF lamp. He
selected pretty one valued az $40 and
again presented his twice returned bill.
Within ten minutes his experience had
been repeated-he was the tenth man
and the lamp was his for the asking.
BY the time Benson began TO be inn
pressed with the idea that he bore n
charmed existence. and when finishing
his commissions he felt morally sure
when handing ont the $40 bill each
time that II would come back and that
the article would he put down on the
free list. And so II was.
At last Benson's shopping expedition
was over and the S25 was still intact.
That would have been all we'll and
good had he stopped there. But he
didn't. He reasoned this way: Il need
few things for myself Jennie neel
bought for nothing. She might Just
| we'll think II took the whole $25 60 ps
for them. and / can blow It in as II
please"
II was diabollcal scheme. but had
ing once conceived Il, Benson did not
hesitate in its execution. and before
another hour had passed he had gone
to gents furnishing store" near by
and laid in a much needed supply OF
wearing apparel.
The dry goods from Carpenter Bros
were home ahead OF him that night
His wife was examining the thingsan
he could tell at glance that she was
nervous and excited.
There's something wrong about
these things, James," she said. "Jusl
look at these tickets. ! never saw any
thing made out like them. Each one f.
marked in red ink, Tenth Sale. Free.
What does It mean?"
Benson had not counted on that con-
tlngency, and his courage failed him
Her keen eyes were reading him
through and through, and he knew de-
ceit was useless.
1T means Just what Il says," no re-
piled. II was the tenth customer ev-
cry time and the things were all free
I'm very sorry" she said. with a
sigh. that we cannot keep them"
Cant keep themi" he exclaimed.
why not? Aren't they all right"
eyes. they're all right. They're quite
nice. They're too nice. in fact. But
you got them by gambling, james.
You took chances. / can't have my
thing in my house that was gotten dis
honestly. Carpenter must either re-
ceive payment for these goods or take
them back and let us trade elsewhertar
Benson pleaded. argued and ragq
but all TO no avail. His wife was
durate and unconyincible.
Don't talk 20 me. James," she gal
II guess / know what is right an
what is wrong. 10 Is wrong 20 encOu
age gambling. Carpenter must be m
titled In the morning. Where Is M
1857"
Benson gulped down a lump IN big
throat. II put II in the bank owe
night" he said. He flushed a It'll
when telling the lie. hoping the way1
OF color might partially atone for ta'
sin.
The next morning he borrowed t21|
from a friend. Then he had Carpenter
Bros. take back their numerous gifts,
and bought inferior articles at another
store.
That's A woman's idea OF honor"
sneered Benson a fortnight later, when
he stood Off for the sixth time the man
who had loaned him the s25. "She
wouldn't countenance anything that
bore the slightest semblance OF gam
bling. but she's driven me 20 telling
enough lies 10 land me 10 the fiery
lake through all eternity. Chicago
Tribune.
HE KNEW HIS WORTH.