The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-04-26
HARD TIMES.
BY Y. z.

3v13&&1VO~~~o~S
$50 he's gone at last, has he?" said
my wife, with little, piquant eiesa-
ton of her pretty brows. II began to
think he was somehow gifted with I'M
mortality"
dead at last" said ]. "And what
do you think, Jenny? He has left US
$lOO."
"a hundred dollars" echoed my
wife, clasping her hands together.
stOh! Charles-a $100!"
Now all this may sound like two
ce-half-penny sort of affair to some
of my readers, as I am very we'll aware.
But as am only clerk on asalary of
$500 year-a Sl00 drifting, as it
were, out of the sky, seemed very
neat little sum to me.
Jenny and I 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 90 cents omnibus fares. We did
our best to make both ends meet
s 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
8 wizeaed, bespectacled, old contem-
porary Of his own. He had never
spoken to her since, and We naturally
4 entertained no very exalted hopes OF
any testameRtary recollections on his
part. And the S100 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 !.
Do you know, Jenny"
hesisated q little here.
ssYes?" she responded, interroga-
tiyely.
Every fellow IN the bank, except
me, has q gold watch. I've been
ashamed of thiS old silver concern
more than once. And Seymour has
nice second hand one for sale that he
viii let me have for $40 H.
.s.And turn the $1o0 into q mere
nseless ornament!" cried Jenny, with
strong accent Of disapprobation in
her voice. Charley, that isn't bit
Ike you.
Well, then, what do you sug-
gsst:n
.sI should so like to give social
party with it" said Jenny, coaxingly.
Only think how often we've been in
yited n.s since we were married, and
1 never havS had chanceto return any
OF The hospitalities of our friends
The musicians, the supper, and all.
wonM come within the 800"
And you are absurd enough to
wish to eat, and dripk, and dance up
sum like that!'' I cried ''No, NO,
Jennette, it is entirely out of the
question"
ssA new velvet suit for the baby?'
suggested Jenny, pointing 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
IS new winter suit and overcoat for
me You never seem to observe how
shabby / am getting"
Nobody notices gentleman's
Dress said Jenny. 81 can make
your overcoatlook very nice with fresh
binding and new buttons-but how I
should. like q sealskin Jacket"
Jenny" said L somewhat dis
gusted. 81 had no idea you could be
80 selfish. ~
Jenny colored and tossed her head.
Selfish, in6eedT' cried she. II
would hike to know whether you have
yet suggested anything which was not
FOR your own special benefit and use!
We were both silent. don't sup
pose either of us had felt 50 vindic-
tive before, since our marriage. Clear
II, the 800 bill had worked no great
benefit as yet =.
sTll tell you what Jenny" sajd I;
let's compromise. Let's buy a new
sitsing-room and stairs carpet. saw
beautifrl pattern at Moody's yester-
day pesrl-gray, with vine Of scar
LET moss all over it"
e don't care very much for new
carpets as long as we live on second
foor, said Jenny. s.sAnd you don't
seem to remember, Charles, that I
haven't had silk dress since We were
married. Black silk IS suitable for
al, occasions, from & wedding to a
funeral, and / really think"
II believe q woman's thoughts are
always running on Dress" muttered
Z, somewhat contemptuously. t1'm
snre that black alpaca of yours is
beautiful"
That's all you know about the
matter" said Jenny, elevating her
nose. 'sWell, I don't care. Spend
the money as you choose. Only, Uncle
Moses was my relative"
s.And the money was left to me,
Mrs. Evarts, " said I.
Jenny looked at me with her eyes
full Of tears.
ssOh, Charles" said che, chow can
yon s2eak to me so?''
Because I'm brute, Jenny, "said
/, fairly Melted. Forgive me, and
wen fling the psairy old 800 bill into
the Ere before we'll let it scatter the
seeds Of division between u.s."
mo, Charley, don't do that" said
Jenny laughing through her tears.
esLet's-put it inths savings bank. I"
agreed, . said I, sealing the bar
gain with one Of our old-fashioned
kisses. sand apropos of savings
banks, did I tell you about Greene?"
.sNo. What about Greene?"
ssWhy, he and his wife have just
moved into tho prettiest little Gothic
cottage you ever saw, just the other
side Of the Harlem bridge, with a
d lawn and garden, and space to keep