Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-03-28
HARD TINES.
oo "a HE'S gone at last, has he %

~ said my wife, with a little
piquant elevation Of her pret
ty brows. II began to think he was
somehow gifted with Immortality"
Dead at last" said l. And what do
you think, Jenny? He has left us a
hundred dollars"
"A hundred dollarsT echoed my wife,
clasping her hands together. "Oh!
Oharles-a hundred dollars
Now all this may sound like a two
pence -halfpenny sort Of affair to some
Of my readers, as am very well aware.
But as / am only clerk on salary of
nine hundred year-a hundred dollars
drifting, as 1t were, out of the sky,
seemed very neat sum to me.
Jenny and l were both young people,
Just beginning the world, with no par
hcular riches, except one apple-cheeked
baby. Jenny did her own work, made
my shirts and cut and fitted her own
dresses l walked to and from busi-
ness every day to save the twenty cents
omnibus fares. We did our best to make
both ends meet-and q tight pull we
found 1t.
So that you will easily see that this
hundred-dollar bill represented consid-
cradle more to us than its mere face
value. Old Uncle Moses Manson was
mOrtally offended when HE niece. Jen-
ny Clifford, chose to marry me instead
of wizened, bespectacled. old contem-
porary of his own. He had never spoken
to her since. and We naturally enter
tained no very exalted hopes of any
testamentary recollections on his part.
And the hundred-dollar bill, therefore,
possessed the charm of an agreeable
surprise into the bargain.
Charles" said Jenny, under her
breath, what shall we do with it,"
That Is the very question" said l.
DO you know, Jenny"
hesitated little here.
"Yes" she responded, interrogative-
y.
Every fellow in the bank, except me.
has gold watch. I've been ashamed
Of this old silver concern more than
once. And Seymour has a very nice
secondhand one for sale that he will
let me have for ninety dollars if"
And turn the hundred dollars into
mere useless ornament cried Jenny.
with strong accent of disapprobation
In her voice. Charley, that isn't a bit
hke you"
We'll, then, what do you suggest"
Il should so like to give social party
with it," said Jennie, coaxingly. only
think how often we've been invited out
since we were married, and never have
had chance to return any of the hos
pitalities of our friends. The musi-
clans. the supper, and all, would come
within the hundred dollars"
And you are absurd enough to wish
10 eat, and drink. and dance up a sum
IKE thatv' / cried. NO, no. Jennette. II
Is entirely out Of the question"
"a new velvet suit for the baby?"
suggested Jenny, pouting little at the
emphasis of my words.
How would it correspond with the
rest Of our surroundingsg asked, not
without an accent of bitterness. "You
Ald a great deal better suggest a new
winter suit and overcoat for me. You
never seem to observe how shabby I
Am getting"
Nobody notices gentleman's
dress" said Jenny. Il can make your
overcoat look very nice with fresh bind
ing and new buttons-but how l should
like a sealskin Jacket
Jenny" said /. somewhat disgusted.
II had no idea you could be so selfish
Jenny colored and tossed her head.
"Selfish, indeed!' cried she. 81 would
fike to know whether you have yet sug-
gested anything which was not for
your own special benefit and use?"
We We're both silent. l don't suppose
either one of us had felt so vindictive
before. since our marriage. Clearly,
great benefit as yet.
I'll tell you what, Jenny" said L; /.
lets compromise. Let's buy new sit !
ting-room and stairs carpet. l saw a
beautiful pattern at Moody's yesterday |
with a vine of scarle'
moss all over it,"
II don't care very much for new car |
pets as long as we live on a second |
floor" said Jenny. And you don't |
seem to remember, Charles, that |
haven't had a silk dress since we were |
married Black silk is suitable for all |
occasions, from a wedding to funeral, |
md really think
Il believe woman's thoughts are al (
ways running on Dress" muttered 1, /
contemptuously. I'm sure
that black alpaca Of yours in beauti |
sul."
That's all you know about the mat /
.sr," said Jenny. elevating her nose.
We'll, don't care. Spend the money |
Is you choose. Only, Uncle Moses was
my relative"
And the money was left to me. Mrs. |
Bvarts." said l.
Jenny looked at me with her eyes full /
If tears.
"Oh, Charles" said she, how can
Tou speak to me sop
Because I'm a brute, Jenny" said l,
'airly melted. Forgive me. and we'll
ing the paltry old hundreddollar bill
ote the fire before Wen let it scatter
-. seeds OF division between u.s."
I; No, Charley. don't do that" said
Tenny. laughing through her tears.
'Lets-put It in the savings band"
Agreed" said 1. sealing the bargain
With one of our old-fashioned kisses.
And apropos of savings banks, did I
all b..t. L