The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-08-30

~ ill our FedQy money at rape ~ Ia
bouret's, and an income of ESQ year
won't stand that, you know"
"Oh, lecture me well, pray dor' re-
torted Lefty, viciously cracking an egg.
81 didn't know I'd married a screw
and a Methodist preacher both in one"
Lefty" said Frank Darrell. in a
hurt tone.
Lefty looked little ashamed.
'FOr the first time in all the years
since we married." continued the hus-
band, 1--WE owe both butcher and baker.
Our landlord is pressing for money,
and two of our dodgers are in arrears.
But there, can't wait to argue the
matter with you. Here's the omnibus"
And for the first time since their
marriage he departed to the city bank
where he was engaged without giving
his wife farewell kiss.
Lefty silently watched the heavily
laden omnibus, bound citywards, until
it was out of sight. Then her heart
sank.
'He never kissed mel" she sobbed
|'and do love him SOL
Then She sat down and dried her
eyes. poor loving but wilful young
wife.
''Ill just make him a nice little toad
in-the-hole' for his tea dinner" she
thought, land as to that horrid blue
dress that has caused all this bother
why, I'll let Mrs. Thatcher have it.
She offered to give twenty-eight shil-
lirgs for it, so l shall only lose two,
and dear Frank will be pleased, and
then-and then"
And the tears began to roll again
down Lettys cheeks, and a tender
smile lighted up her face as she
thought Of her young husband and the
little new life that was shortly to
brighten up their home.
After her husband was gone she sat
still for some little time rondering
over the events of the morning. At last
q bright idea struck her.
"I'll just run around and see Mrs
Thatcher about that unlucky blue
dress" she thought.
Mrs. Thatcher was the wife oH
young fellow clerk of Frank Darrell's,
and who was as thrifty and economi-
cal as Lefty was careless and eXtrava-
giant.
No sooner thought than done. Mrs.
Darrell arrayed herself in Il costume
which, however becoming was, it
must be caDdidly admitted, far too ex-
pensive for the wife of simple bank
clerk, and, leaving word with Sally
where she was going, set off to pay
her visit.
The important affair of the blue
dress was settled to the satisfaction
of both parties Lefty had never worn
il, so Mrs. Thatcher considered she
had saved two shillings, and Lefty was
equally glad to lose two in order to
get back the rest of the purchase
money.
With the twenty-eight shillings snug
1y in her portemonnaie and with
lighter neart she arrived at her own
door.
But how great was her CONSERVATION
when Sally opened it to find that dusty
but faithful and Woodworking hand
maiden in state of much excitement,
and wiping away the tears from her
red cheeks with her grimy apron.
why, Sally, what on earth" be-
gan Lefty
But Sally interrupted her.
"Oh. if you please, ma'am. here's
such Il horrid man come into the
kitchen and sat down and made him
self at home, and says he won't go till
he's seen master"
"Impertinent wretch cried Lefty
hotly.
''Oh, yes, maam, and he's called for
bread and cheese and beer, and says
as were bound to give it him.
She man must be mad" calculated
Lefty.
"N-o. please. ma'am. 1 don't think
he's that" replied Sally. IL think
there's summat wrong, ma'am."
Il think so, too, indeed" said Lefty,
indignantly. when people walk into
my kitchen and call for refreshments
whether l invite them or not. | don't
keep public house.,
And into the kitchen she walked fol-
lowed by Sally.
There sat a stout red-faceG man Of
about fifty. eating bread and cheese
and drinking beer out of jug as if
he had tasted for a fortnight. He was
attired in an old green shooting coat,
gaudy waistcoat and drab trousers,
and had coarse red cotton handker-
chief round his bull neck On the table
lay a thick stick and battered
wideawake.
"Wen, I'm sure" exclaimed Lefty.
completely taken aDack, "ond who
may you be- if you pleaseY