The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-05
A Charming Finaucier.

uRREOBluk LaG WILL - oil 44tAACnN1S
record, and to point out its various morals
in detail would be to reflect upon the
intelligence of the reader.
This young couple live in pretty cot
tage that has trailing vines on the porch
faces one Of Detroit's streets that Is paved
with asphalt and enjoys the protecting
shade Of a maple tree that Is esteemed
one OF the most valuable Of their posses
sions. This snug nest came as we'd
ding present, but even with so fne q
start they not infrequently hnd that his
modest salary is not equal 10 meeting the
monthly bills. When they were whole
so worse of than nothing at the end OF
April the little wife did some serious
thinking, and the conclusions reached ap-
pear in this conversation with her hus-
band:
Charley, dear, you're doing more than
your share. IJu go to work every day.
you always lose time and sleep when your
books won't balance, and that seems OF
ten You must read the papers so as 10
keep posted, you look after the garden.
and you do all the marketing. It's en-
tirely too much"
'Pshaw! 1 could do twice as much II
there were any money in II.
You think so. but don't Now I'm not
financier, Charley, but I'm smart
enough to know that when we're spending
more than we're making we're running
behind. Is there any flaw In my mathe-
matics?'
mot a flaw, little one"
81 thought not" with an air OF grow
ing Importance. 81 guess / have some
common sense. Now, deary, I'm going TO
take charge Of all business connected with
the house. I'm right here on the ground.
have the time to make all the bargains
and I'll see that we get the worth OF q
dollar for every dollar we pay out. and
that no money Is expended foolishly or
through bad management Is that SOUND
talk, Charley?"
1.-The Controller Of the Treasury couldn't
be sounder."
ct don't see how he could. Well, I'll
take hold at once. and my system won
he in operation long till wen be putting
some rainy-day material in the savings
bank. But don't you be offering sugges-
tions land asking questions, Charley. we
can have a grand council OF war at the
end Of the month. II you want. but mean
time you must exercise blind faith.
One of the first moves under the new
management was to get the house painted.
This was a necessary improvement, and
while the wife did not advertise for sealed
proposals, she aimed at the same end by
seeing all the painters she could find, stir
ring I'D all the competition she could, and
finally letting the contract at reasonable
figure. In the language Of the world, she
jollied the foreman on the job, giving him
coffee with his cold lunch. asking him
about his children, and occasionally hand
ing him one Of Charley's cigars. After
this insidious approach to his favor she
asked him il he couldn't, while there. jest
touch up her dining-room chairs little.
It wouldn't take any time, and he had
the paint right with him. Certainly he
could; was glad TO accommodate her, and
the chairs received two coats.
Then she thought of the bathroom.
where the paint on the tub and wains-
coatin was turning yellow. Couldn't he
just brighten that a little? Neither ma
terial nor work would amount anything,
as both were right on the premises. Again
he was willing. and showed his interest
by suggesting that the inside OF the tub
be enameled. That would be splendid. she
assured him, enthusiastically. and the en-
amel went on. It was so easy that she
extended her diplomacy to. having the
spare bed chamber all done in white, and
the sideboard vanished. She was delight
ed land only laughed happily at Charley
surprised look OF inquiry.
Her next deal was for some tin spout
ing that was to be placed for s.. In seek
had discovered that galvanized iron was
much better, but would cost good deal
more. When the workman came she soon
had him talked into a good humor while
ne was putting away at one Of Charley s
best cigars as though It were a pipe. This
was the propitious moment Of her schem-
ing.
at don't believe I like that tin as well
as the galvanized iron. Wouldn't you just
as leave put up the iron?"
'Sure. lady, sure. Whatever you want.
And it's far better. I'll drive right back
to the shop and make the change"
Then she hurried into the house, hter-
ally chuckling and metaphorically hug
ging herself. In her desire to celebrate
her business triumphs she ordered pair
of broilers for dinner. adding orders for
two kinds of cake and ice cream.
Needing some shelves in the buttery,
she made an ironclad contract with a car
penter, put him under the influence oi
coffee and cigars, and induced him Gus,
while he was there to put long swinging
shelf in the cellar and mend a couple al
screens. While so shrewdy managing
these extra causes of expense she was
frequently paying street car fares both
ways so as TO get cent a pound of or
beef or corresponding reduction on veg
etables. She was up early, and schemed
all day. She retired early, but her busy
little brain plotted far into the night.
But when the monthly bills came In
She was studying them as Charley ap-
peared at the usual breakfast hour. She
grew white when she read the carpenter
statement. She groaned when she saw
that the timers claim summed up $l5.4
instead Of s., and fell over in a swoon
Charley was so agitated that he used ar
immense overdose of water in revivins
her, but a deluge would not have turned
the current of her thoughts.
Were robbed. Charley" she exclaimed
Historically. We'll pay just what bar
gained to pay. and no more. It's tho
worst outrage / ever heard Of. That pain
ter and timer and carpenter are regular
swindlers and confidence men and ought
to be in the penltentiary. A whole lot Of
work was done for accommodation. and
now they say Please remit for the whole
thing. And we just won't pleased Lei
'em sue. Wen fight 'em clear into con-
gress, and I'll pack rags to pay lawyer:
before give up. o. the brutes."
Charley ELECTED the whole story and
! then laughed till her wrath was diverted
to him. DO you know" he asked with
a serious look that checked her, THAI
Rockefeller offers s.. ooo.ooo a year 10 any
one who can take proper charge OF his
business? Why don't you make applica
ton, little one? You'd win. sure"
She founced out OF the room, but hi
followed. held her by force OF arms, ant
told her OF his raise IN salary. She had
fought her way to the last ditch wher
she insisted that they make a countei
charge for coffee and cigars. but the bill.
| were paid. Now they do all business II
partnership, which is the bast way, after
1 all-Detroit Free FresS
He Wight Rave Married.