The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-07
Our Daily Short Stories
THE CAPTAINS CHECK BOOK.
BY GEN. CHARLES KING. U. S. A.
Copyright 1901. by Authors Syndicate,

ing. AT the Point and later in other
garrlsons and at the Presidio, Ross had
been in the habit of auditing and pay
ing the household bills himself. Nell
gave her orders to the butcher and ba-
ker and candleStick maker, to commits
sary milknlan, marketman, laundry
man. ETC., etc, and when extravaganza
occurred, as they did at times, his gem
tie warning was quite sufficient to drive
her In panic to the extremes of penuri-
Gus stinting, from which it required
both caresses and commands to extri-
cate her.
But now there was no one to super
wise. There was that fat check book,
with the mate to il in reserve, in her
desk, and it was so easy and simple
just to order things, and. when the
end Of the month came around, it seem
ed so businesslike and precise to make
out a dainty check exactly the size
OF the total at the foot of each column,
and then, when the receipts came, to
carefully fold and docket each one and
file it as Ned did She knew how
pleased he'd be. As for cash and cur
rency, for, of course, they had to have
car fare, servants wages and lunch
matinee, church, candy, and--well
spending money in general--it was so
easy just to draw a check and sent it
give it to the head waiter of the Pal
ace Hotel when they lunched there, as
the ladies often did. Dear old Ned.
How thoughtful and loving of him to
have arranged it all for herl
And how she would surprise him
when he came homei
1t was July when he sailed. Letters
came from Honolulu-such loving let
ters-then nothing more until the pa
pers told of the fall of Manila the 18th
of August, and fighting seemed as easy
as living, so few were the casualties
mentioned. But it was late in the fall
before letters began to come from Ma
Mia, and the fighting was over and all
was we'll and Ned would soon be COM
ing home, said she, and so reioiced and
gave little spreads and bigger
checks--in token of her rejoicings.
Then mother began cross questioning.
Mother couldn't see how Nell could live
so very we'll on so very little, and VEN
tured to ask.
"Capt. Ross left me abundance"
said Nellie, proudly, tapping the I'M
used leaves of her check book and de-
Ginning to submit her accounts for in
spection.
and February, with sharp battling in
which Ross and his battery won hon.
ors and glowing mention, and Nell
trembled and prayed, yet rejoiced and
made glad. Papa was coming home
a hero" she proclaimed to the chill
dren. April came, and still the fight
ing went savagely on, and one day
brought tidings that the gallant cap
tain had been seriously wounded and
was to be invaded home. a.
But men who stopped old Carson, at
the club to praise the valor of his sem
in-law were disconnected by his I'M
it presently was made known that
something was amiss. One day in a
burst of confidence Carson told, as he
believed, the whole trouble.
Just as I predicted" said he, that
fellow couldn't begin to provide for his
family, and-I've had to step in and
40 it. The bank hadn't the heart to
throw out Nellie's checks. They finally
notified me. pay EN-"
But Nell told me Capt. Ross had
left her bountifully provided" said
Mrs. Carson. when she heard it.
Beautifully provided, indeed" said
Carson, scornfully. Her account was
overdrawn six weeks ago, and only one
hundred and seventy-five has been paid
in since. Don't let Nell know; of course
faint her fault said the plutocrat.
1t was June when long, gaunt rem
iniscence of a stalwart batteryman
reached the arms of his loved ones, and
when, few days later, and the rap
lures partially subsidized, Nell perched
on his knee, prepared to give account
of her stewardship. The bills were
beautifully folded, briefed and tied
with tape, and the check stubs were
so clear and elerkly and legible. Why
49,.
with sudden worriment as he ran them
over?
why, Dot" said he. ST fear you've
overdrawn."
Indeed I haven't! Why, see all these
checks I have left" said Nell, convinc-
ingly.
mo, but I mean the amount in the
bank couldn't meet the amount you've
drawn, dear. Have they never warned
your"
mot a bit! Why should they?"
Ross sped to the California straight
way and had immediate interview with
kindly Mr.. Alvord, and came home a
pertuyoed man. He looked far from
happy when he saw the carriage of his
father-inlaw in front of his quarters
and farther still when he heard his
father-in-law's voice. He knew that
Carson had been at the bank that very
day, and now he was storming about
something, and Nell, with flaming
cheeks and fearful eyes, was the OBJ
ject. Mamma looked helplessly on. At
sight of Ross Nell flew to him and sob
bed despairingly on his shoulder.
"oh--oh-oh-Ned, I've been so wick
ed-and so--so-st-oop-oop- T.
actually thought-so long as-there
were checks left-oh-oh-oooi"
H.
drawing her closely and kissing her
fondly 1T was all my fault / should
have-taught you" Then, turning to
the elder man, he began. in formal
tone: 'Mr. Carson, it seems I'm in
debted to you for
Z II know it. / own it," interrupted
Carson, impetuously. II did say it,
But, Ross, what brought me here was
to beg your pardon. I'm a pig headed
old fool-just what mother here has
been saying. I might have known--no,
sir, you won't pay 1t back You can't
pay it back! 1t would burn and scorch
and scar my fingers, and you're a
blamed sight better man and husband
than / am a father. I might have
known the whole thing months ago If
l hadn't been too wise in my own con-
ceit to see for myself. Now. you've
done your best by my girl and by your
country, too, and I'm proud of YOU
proud of you, Ross! And-can't you
forgive an old fool that's learned his
lesson at last?"
Ross must have relented, for Nell has
her own bank account now and knows
more about its management than when