The St. Johns herald., 1901-01-19
Their Hundred Dollar Bill
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gone at l

my wife, with little elevation of her pretty eyebrows. T began to think he was somewhat gifted with i'm mortality"
 "Dead at last" said I. And what do you think. Jenny? He has left us hun dred dollars"
 "A hundred dollars!" echoed my wife, clasping her hands together. 70, CharleS-a hundred dollars!"
 NC~ al tbis may sound like a two pence-ha'f-penny sort of affair to some of my readers, as l am very well aware. But as I am only clerk on salary of S900 year-a hundred dollars drifting, as ii were, out of the sky, seemed very neat little sum to me.
 JoAay and 1 were both young people, just beg ming the world, with no par ticular riches, except one apple-cheeked baby l walked to and from business eveIy day to save the 20-cents fares. We did our best to make both ends meet -and a tight pull we found it.
 Old Uncle Moses Manson was mortal ly offended when his niece, Jenny Cliff ford, chose to marry me instead of weazened, bespectacled old contempo rary of his own. He had never spoken to her since, and we naturally enter tained no very exalted hopes of any testamentary recoliections on his part. And the Sl00 bill, therefore, possessed the charm of an agreeable surprise into the bargain.
 Charles" said Jenny, under breath. what shall we do with it?"
 That is the very question" said l. "Do you know, Jenny"
 l 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 very nice secondhand one for sale that he will let me have for 500 if-"
 And turn the $1OO into a mere use less ornament!" cried Jenny, with a strong accent of disapprobation in her voice. Charley, that isn't bit like you"
 ''Well, then, what do you suggest 2"
 ''I should so like to give social party with it." said Jenny, eoaxingly. "Only think how often we've been invited out since we were married, and never have had a chance to return any of the hos pitalities of our friends. The musi- ciars. the supper, and all, would come within the hundred dollars"
 And you are absurd enough to wish to eat, and drink, and dance up sum like that" l cried No, no. Jeanette, it is entirely out of the question"
 "A 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 ?" asked, not without an accent of bitterness. You had great deal better suggest new winter suit aud overcoat for me. You never seem to observe how shabby am getting"
 Nobody notices gentleman's dress" said Jenny. 'T can make your overcoat look very nice with fresh bind ing ard new buttons-but how I should like a sealsllin jacket!"
 ''Jenns. said l, somewhat disgpsted, '.I had TO i3ea you could be so selfish"
 "S dsh. indeed!" cried she. Il would like toADoM whether you have yes sug- gested ,..ything which was not for yoa9 cwr sr> cial benefit and use!"
 We were both silent. I don't suppose either one of us had felt so vindictive before, since our marriage. Clearly the Sl00 bill had worked no great benefit as yet.
 'Tn tell you what, Jenny" said I; 'let's compromise. Let's buy new sit ting-noom and stairs carpet. l saw beautiful pattern yesterday"
 ", don't care very much for new car pets as long as we live on second s.oor, said Jsnny. And you don't seem to remember, Charles, that 1 haven't lsa a silk dress since we were married Back silk is suitable for all occasions, from wedding to funeral, and I real ly think"
 II believe woman's thoughts are al- ways running on dress" muttered I, somewhat contemptuously. I'm sure that black alpaca of yours is beautiful" That's all you know about the mat ter" said Jenny. elevating her nose. .WeI, I don't care Spend the money