The Afro-American advance., 1900-03-10
Mr.. JObSOn'S Generosity

n
large. fragrant bunch Of double vio-
let's. with Mr.. Jobson's calling card at
tnched thereto, and his affectionnte fe-
licitations serawled on the back Of the
card.
Mrs. Jobson couldn't understand IL.
She turned the violets upside down
and sideways, and studied them from
all points of view. Then she scrutin-
lied the card ms II IL were written in
Arabic and the job Of translating 1t
were difficult and slow.
'violctsl' said she to herself won
deringly. "And from Mr. Jobson! Let
me recall how many years IL has
been"
But she couldn't recall.
81 wonder II there's anything the
matter?" she mused "Violetsi And
from Mr. Jobsonl'
Another messenger boy rang the
bell about three O'Clock and handed
Mrs. Jobson two-pound box Of ehoc-
olate creams. nicely done up. Resting
ON top of the candies was Mr., job
sons calling card, his affectionate fe-
licitationS scrawled on the back OF the
card.
Mrs. .Iobson. clustered by the re-
ceipt Of the ylolets, was now complete
ly Habbcrgastcd.
There's something wrong; I'm sure
there Isl" she said To herself, excited
ly. at can't be that he's DR.? No,
that IL out of the question Perhaps,
l. l. 4
he was Eighty when he had that re-
turn Of the grippe In December What
can the matter beP II he has become
a little flighty again as the result Of
the grippe, may bo his tlightincss has
taken the form of the delrlum of
grandeur that | was reading about
somewhere not long age | do wish
that he'd come home. so that could
put him 10 bed and put mustard
plaster on him and send for the doe
tor. Goodness gracious me, there sure
ly IA something wrong!"
Thus Mrs. Jobsou worked herself up
20 a high pitch Of nervousness, Nlo.
let's and candies from her husband. all
Ia one day 1t was all very delightful
but II was too delightful. Mrs. job
son had forebodng OF trouble, How
ever, she put on her pretticst tea
gown. pinned the violcts thereto aud
waited anxiously for Mr.. Jobson's IA
miliar step.
Mr.. Johson got home at the usual
hour. He wore an expression Of be-
nightly as he entered the vcstihule,
where Mrs Jobson, In saluting him.
found out that he hadn't drank drop
"Why, you dear old cxtra,agaut
thing, you'll" she said To him II never
saw such lovely violets in my life. and
rs for those candies, why"
"rut, tut. little one" snid Mr. Job.
son, amlably, don't speak of 'em. just
happened 10 think TO send 'em up 60
you. you know, and they're no more'n
you deserve, OF that tell you what,
" were a rich man, you'd have every
thing"
But Mrs. Johson scarcely heard what
he said. "littlc onel" she was saying
TO herself. why, it's been years and
years since he"
"Have you been spcculatlng in
stocks. my dear?" Mrs. Jobson asked
him. timidly.
"Stocks9 Who, mee Well I'd like
Co see myself" said Mr.. Jobson, good
naturedly. "No. ma'am; no stocks for
met"
Mrs. Johson looked him over care
fully, but he was all right, 80 far as
she could see, His extraordinary COED
nature sat on him as naturally as II
that were his everyday manner He
stepped out into the hall for mo-
ment, got a package that he had
dropped on the rack in coming In aud
opened II.
Happened to remember. Ms was
coming up, that you wanted some
books" said MIR. Johson. In an of.
hand way. drought You up a few.
Hope you'll like 'em."
Mrs. Johson took the books and
looked them over In daaed kind Of
way. They were just the books she
had been wanting for long while
all good, substantial editions, too,
She couldn't refrain from giving him
a hug.
Why, you generous. silly old
thing" she said. just the hooks
that I've been plning for for ages.
Won't you please tell me what II Is
all about-what I've done 10 deserve
all these lovely pre-"
''Never you mind said Mr.. Johson.
smiling amiably, Il only wish were
as rich as some Of these piuheads thar
don't know what 20 do with their
moncy@if you wouldn't have thumb
rings and automobiles and a couple o.
thousand Ailk skirts. and-oh, by the
way, that reminds me. Saw q tailor
made dress In window as I was
walking downtown to-day that want
you 90 have. Sign ON IL says that its
. Paris modei and that is's been
marked down from Sss 20 $50 Don't
know whether that's true OF not. bui
its . dandy and | want yon 70 get