The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-06-09
HIS G N O M X

week. cont you! l only want to con-
vince you how mean it makes me feel
never to have money to spare for rub
bisll.'"
Coaxing, caresses. etc, accomplish
Wellings leaves the house with only
sufficient funds in his pocket for the
bare necessary expenses incurred dur
ing the day.
"Ah." says Mrs. Wellings. smilingly
watching her husband disappear
around the corner. ''Tony's only faIit
is his ~stinginess. THIS will be an ex-
cellent lesson for him. I'm suie!"
"Well. l shall show Marian how !
can manage" says Mr.. Wellings. strid-
ing rapidly OH.
Seated in the car. he betllinss him
self OF his paper. True enough. he has
forgotten to bring it. The search in
both of his coat pockets proved a vain
one.
'.Hc:n. Johnny" to a little newsboy
just entering. "a paper. please"
Then. r%ecollecting his cash allowance
| too late. he has not the courage to re-
fuse the papels 10Y in his hands. He
dislikes becoming a special object of
interest to the rest Of the passengers.
and SO the nickel intended for the ride
homo is handed out, the change re-
ceis*d. and Mr.. Wellings forgets the
tri....ng annoyance while perusing the
columns of the paper.
4 An hour or so later Mr.. Wellings Is
INTERRUPTED by his young clerk. who,
hrasting his head in the open door, ex-
claims:
''T.le scrub lady's come from the
house and says she wants her pay"
"Tell Mrs. Riley to come tomorrow
replies Mr.. Wellings. vexed within him
self at refusing the Door m Ma
rian sent her here. l suppose. I'm al
most tempted to break my VOW not to
spend anything but what she gives me.
You're Il fool. Anthony Wellings, for
being cajoled into any such bargain
mutters he. slowly resuming his bust.
ness duties.
Twelve O'Clock. the usual lunch hour
arrives at last. Leaving the office, he
starts toward his ~favorite restaurant.
"Anthony Wellings as l live!" ex
claims a deep voice beside him, and {
: heavy hand laid upon his shoulder
causes Mr.. Wellings to glance aroun
In surprise.
Who is it? Can it be? Yes. it's reall,
his old college chum.
! Hugh. old boy, how glad, very glad
1 am to see your And a hearty hand
shake testifies his assertion. "Wher'
: did you drop from? How is everybody
Well. now, but I'm glad to see you.
Again the hands grip each other. I'm
just going to lunch. Come along. won
:. you. and"-
. Mr.. Wellings' handsome eyes sudder
! " dilate: his breath ceases for a mt
ment.
: .Good heayens!'' he thinks. Here
am with only so cents for lunch o
second thought: Hugh. you'd bette
!. come up to the house tonight to Dime:
Important duties prevent my lingerin
: here. and we should be unable to tai
over old times. Come to the hous'
! won't you? Yes. Well. here's the az
: dress. My wife will be pleased to we
come you too. Goodby, then, till later
: And the friends part. ITS all he
:. fault!, thinks Mr.. Wellings almost sa'
:, agely. How like an idiot ne mu'
= have thought me. But, by Joye.
couldn't tell the man l had only none
eno-..sh for one slim lunch. Wonder
Marian was ever in such a box? POI
little woman! Perhaps l have been t.
close With her.
:. Many times during the day does
have calls upon both pocketbook AZ
!, patience. one instance being especial
annoying and h~umiliating.
J, Mi. COrbin called to obtain substa
tial aid in behalf Of a sick mans fal
re lily.
II can give you something tome
n row. adds Mr.. Wellings as his visit
he is about to depart.
ar Jenny. the flower girl, comes in tc
by It has been Mr.. Wellings' habit to pu
IL chase Il bouquet from the little Made
ck but today he must decline.
Late i'll the afternoon his wife Al
little Willie come in on their way fro
grandlnother's to their home.
NJ Papa says the little fellow, ''gi
y me Eseney for a big ball, please"
70 ASK your mother. child" his faith
IT'S tells him tersely.
,r. "I3ut ma never gives me noting, tau
I'D she never has money to spare, she tie
to me-" replies Willie disappointedly.
ev But she will now my boy, and, |
sides. papa will buy you a fine b
fa- Here. Clarke" to the elderly clel
mr. .'you can attend to these matters
he hand. l start for home now with NJ
Wellings. Come, Marian, Willie" A
together the happy trio leave the
fee.
in Late that evening-after dinner is
he thing of the past. and the nurse b