Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-04-26
HARD TIMES.
BYY. z.

30 lie gone at l8SC, mas no. Salu
my wife, with little, piquant eleva-
tion of her pretty brows. 81 began to
think he was somehow gifted with I'M
mortality"
s.Dead at last" said I. "And what
do you think, Jenny? He has left us
SlOO."
ga hundred dollars!" echoed my
wife. clasping her hands together.
"Oh! Char rles-a $100"
Now all this may sound like two
pence half penny sort of affair to some
Of my readers, as am very well aware.
But as am only clerk on salary of
5000 year-a 500 drifting, as it
were, out of the sky, seemed very
neat little sum to me.
Jenny and l were both young peo-
pie, just beginning the world, with
no particular riches, except one apple
checked baby. Jenny did her own
work, made my shirts and cut and
fitted her own dresses. I walked to
and from business every day to save
the 20 cents omnibus fares. We did
our best to make both ends meet
and tight pull we found it.
So that you will easily see that this
500 bill represented considerable
more to US than its more face value!
Old Uncle Moses Manson was NOR
tally offended when his niece, Jenny
Clifford, chose to marry me instead Of
a wizened, bespectacled, old contem-
porary of his own. He had never
spoken to her since, and we naturally
entertained no very exalted hopes of
any testamentary recollections on his
part. And the 500 bill, therefore,
possessed the charm of an agreeable
surprise into the bargain.
''Charlie, said Jenny, under her
breath, "what shall we do with it?"
''That is the very question, said I.
'Do you know, Jenny"
I hesitated little here.
''Yes?" she responded, interroga-
lively.
Every fellow in the bank, except
me, has a gold watch. I've been
ashamed of this old silver concern
more than once. And Seymour has a
nice second hand one for sale that he
will let me have for 500 if"
''And turn the $lOO into a mere
useless ornament" cried Jenny, with
strong accent of disappr obation in
her voice. Charley, that isn't bit
like you"
"Well, then, what do you sug-
gest?"
81 should 80 like to give social
party with it," said Jenny, coaxingly.
"Only think how often we've been in.
vited out since we were married, and
never have had chance to return any
of the hospitalities of our friends.
The musicians, the supper, and all,
would come within the $lO0."
''And you are absurd enough to
wish to eat, and drink, and dance up
sum like thatr' 1 cried. "No, no,
Jennette, it is entirely out of the
question.
ga 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 surroundings" I asked,
not without an accent of bitterness.
''You had great deal better suggest
new winter suit and overcoat for
me- You never seem to observe how
shabby 1 am getting"
"Nobody notices a gentleman 8
Dress" said Jenny. 81 can make
your overcoat look very nice with fresh
binding and new buttons-but how I
should like sealskin Jacket"
Jenny" said /, somewhat dis
gusted, 81 had no idea you could be
so selfish.
Jenny colored and tossed her head.
''Seltish, indeed" cried she. 81
would like to know whether you have
yet suggested anything which was not
for your own special benefit and use!"
We were both silent. I don't sup
pose either of us had felt so vindic-
tive before, since our marriage. Clear
ly, the 500 bill had worked no great
benefit as yet.
''I'll tell You what, Jenny" said L;
'1et's compromise. Let's buy new
sitting-room and stairs carpet. saw
beautiful pattern at Moody's yester-
day pearl gray, with vine of scar
let moss all over it.
81 don't care very much for new
carpets as long as we live on second
foor," said Jenny. ''And you don't t
seem to remember, Charles, that I
haven't had silk dress since we were
married. Black silk is suitable for
all occasions, from q wedding to a
funeral, and really think -
Il believe woman's thoughts are
always running on Dress" muttered
I, somewhat contemptuously. 'tIm
sure that black alpaca of yours is
4 beautiful"
''That's all yon know about the
Natter said Jenny, elevating her
nose. "Well, I don't care. Spend
the money rs you choose. Only, Uncle
Moses was my relative"
''And the money was left to me,
Mrs. Evarts," SAID 1.
Jenny looked at me with her eyes
| full of tears.
''Oh, Charles, said che, show can
you speak to me so?"
Because I'm brute, Jenny, "said