The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22
minutes was learned by Mr.. Jones across

minutes was learned by Mr.. Jones across
the dinner table that evening.
You can't guess what 1 am going to do
this winter, DEAR was the way the story
commenced.
Dear" couldn't guess-he had long since
learned that he couldn't il ne would, and
that it would be perfectly horrid" of him
to do so if he could. so he asked for
particulars.
'Wen, you know that 1 think 1 waste SO
much time that might be turned to real
profit" the tale went on. i've been plan
ming every winter to take up some line OF
study that would be pleasant and really
worth while, so I've joined study circle.
Dear" smiled.
Now, it isn't foolish little club for gos-
sip and that sort-it's the real thing. And
her ingenious dropping into slang was
both refreshing and enthusing.
whats the entrance fee?" Dear was
practical and bit worldly wise, you see.
There's no entrance fee, and the instruc-
ton doesn't cost a cent, but-of course,
have to get some books" Then she finished
with a rush: I'VE haven't the reference
books in our library that I just have to
have, and I've bought the books. and they'll
be here Tomorrow and they have perfectly
lovely bindings and engravings, and L re-
membered what you said and didn't sign
my name to anything, and only have 10
pay 81 down and 81 a month for"
For the rest of your natural existence,
finished Dear
Don't be horrid or course, not that
long. It'll only be-well, I've forgotten just
hS h11tft long.
never miss the money-just nickel day,
with an occasional dime. And 1T doesn't
cost you a cent, mister, for I shall pay for
IL myself"
The change from Dear" to Mister" is
significant in that particular household,
and the head of the establishment hastened
to get things back to the Dear" basis.
He learned that the agent had given every
assurance that would satisfy the most
skeptical, that his wife would not have TO
take the books if she decided she didn't
want them after all, laughed heartily at the
articles that had been practiced upon MS
susceptible better half, and was SO nice
about it that in the end he received his re-
ward in a burst of confidence.
81 wouldn't have ordered the books with
out first talking it over with you, dear, but
1 Just had to-" she explained. Il told the
woman that 1 wanted to see you before
making up my mind. but she said In the
snifiest tone, It's pity married wom-
an can't spend paltry cents day WIN
out consulting her husband about it, and
/ Just wanted to let her know that l had
some independence and could do as
pleased, so / told her quietly that after all
with the emphasis on the pronoun'-
had decided to take the books, and that she
might put my name down. But l didn't
sign my name
The books came promptly next day, Mrs
Jones made the first payment. and then. in
fifteen minutes, discovered that she had
been deluded and that the books weren't
what she wanted, nor what she thought
she was getting when she gave the order.
A humbled but indignant wife greeted
Dear" that evening. He received the tale
of trouble alphabetically, never once said
or intimated. ''I told you So" and was so
irreproachable in his bearing as to make
himself solid for six months. He promised
to do what he could to get his wife out Of
the difficulty, and was assured that If he
did she would never, never again buy a
single solitary thing without first con-
40
that he visited the downtown office Of the
| company" had a stormy scene with the
manager, was shown contract signed by
his wife's name. which he promptly pro-
nounced a forgery, and was finally told
that the matter would be investigated and
that If the signature not that of Mrs.
Jones the books would be taken back and
the first payment refunded. The next DAY
the agent called again and tried to per-
suade Mrs. Jones that the books were just
what she wanted, even IL she didn't realize
it, but Mrs. Jones was adamant and the
agent left in tears. The man who delivered
the books came a short time after, and,
in anything but an amiable manner, handed
| over the 81 and removed the bone of con-
tention.
Dinner was unusually good that evening,
and Dear" learned so many nice things
about himself that he almost fell to Won
dering how any woman could help but love
him. All OF which goes to confirm the
rumor that alls well that ends well. and
| that book agents, after all, have their uses.