The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-02-06
Jacks New Leaf

his cynlcism, for he had never Known
Of a single pledge having been kept
longer than a fortnight.
Hardy never let his conscience Wor-
ry him about New Year resolutions.
His conscience had a. irst-class excuse,
but he simply wouldn't listen to 1t.
Mrs. Hardy had given him "swear
off, talk regularly the last week of
each of the six years they had been
married, so he was not surprised when.
on the evening of Dec. 81, she asked
him to come into the library for few
minutes after dinner, as she had some
thing Of Importance to say to him.
Jack" began Mrs. Hardy, you'll be
33 next month, and -"
Hardy knew the formula, and inter-
rupted.
well get at it straight this time"
said Mrs. Hardy, as she procured pen
Gil and paper and requested him to
answer all questions as asked. When
she had finished examining him as to
his weekly program Of life, she said:
"Now, let me read you what I have"
Monday night-theater, usually.
TUESDAY night-club.
Wednesday night-club.
Thursday night secret society.
"Friday night-club.
saturday night-another secret So
ciety.
ay-miscellaneous dates. Oc-
casiOnally at home"
Hardy had to laugh at the way he
was being handled.
"Now," said Mrs. Hardy, triumph
antly, "where do l come in? How
many evenings do you spend with me-?
Only one, and that at the theater. Now,
let's see how much time you actually
spend at home"
She figured rapidly for a few Sec
onds, and then announced:
BARELY one-third Of your time, Sun
days included, is spent at home. In
other words, you dine here, sleep here
a few hours in the early morning, and
pass few minutes here at breakfast.
l don't think it's being bit nice to me,
Jack, to say nothing of the injury 1t
is doing your health. Now, then, here
Is program which I wish to substi-
tute for your present one:
Monday night-theater.
TUESDAY night-club.
"wednesday nght-home.
Thursday night-secret society.
Friday night-home, possibly thea
ter.
Saturday night-home.
"Sunday-home and church.
"Retire each night not later than IL.
BE at Office each morning not later
than 9:3O."
Hardy did not surrender without
struggle, but Mrs. Hardy was deter
mined, so at last he pledged himself to
live up to her program for one month,
beginning Jan. 1.
Hardy's business required his guild
ing presence each morning as early as
o'clock, but he was rarely in his
Office at that hour. His clerks were
accustomed to seeing him rush in
about 10, frequently later, and throw
the Office into an uproar, and when
on the morning of Jan. 2 he arrived
promptly ut 9, and in quiet and evil
IDENTITY good spirits, his face showing
signs Of having been permitted to 80
to sleep for proper length of time,
they exchanged anxious glances. AS
soon as Hardy went out his conduct
was freely discussed. One or two at
tributed the change to New Year, but
the majority were apprehensive of
trouble.
Hardy continued to come to his
Office at 9 sharp, all the while his face
growing ruddier and his disposition sun
nier. In two weeks the new spirit had
entirely pervaded the Office. Business
went with vim that was contagious.
1t was all the talk on Hardy's floor in
the big Office building.
But Hardy was having a hard time,
Notwithstanding the fact that surface
indications were to the contrary. The
worse tug came at night. His even
ing, at the club New Year week was.
in a way, memorable. At 1880 he
abruptly broke away from one Of the
most select circles that exclusive place
afforded, and announced that he would
have to be off.
IAN engagement" was his explana-
ton to the many queries. When he
was gone it was the subject of CONVEX
sation. He had never been known to
do anything like that since he had been
a member of the club. He did not
''show up" again that week, and the
following Monday: a self constituted
committee Of three jovial spirits called
at. his Office to ascertain what was
wrong. The idea Of q New Year reso,