The Monticellonian., 1904-09-08
Mans Hundred
 Dollars
By EDGAR WILTON COOLEY
Copyright. iso.. by Daily story Pub. Co,

[ OR the second time Nan Paxton. sit l ting upon the edge of a chair. tool the contents from the big official en Yelope. read the letter and smoothet upon her knee the piece of blue papei that accompanied it.
 When she had finished she sank upoI the floor and cried
 A hundred dollars A small amour to be her entire share of relative; estate; but a large amount to Nan-th' most she had ever had at one time dur ing the 23 years of her life. How many things for her home-her and Jim home-she could procure with that! Jin had been out of work for month anc the rent was due and there were the grocer and the butcher to pay. But, per haps she could have new carpet for the parlor-she had wanted one so long and a few new dishes for the table. How surprised and pleased Jim would be dear old Jamie!
 With a happy laugh that dried her tears. Nan finally thrust the letter in a bureau drawer and returned to the kitch-
  had been interrupted by the postman s visit
 A song tubbline out of her heart. overfiowed her lips as she placed the wa ter to boil and pealed the potatoes.
 Then Jim came home-poor. patient. discouraged Jim. with his coarse clothes, his worn shoes and the pathetic stoop to his shoulders.
 He came iH quietly and taking a seat by the window. sazed at the wall in solemn silence Nan thought at first to run to him and tell him of her good fortune, then decided to serve the sur prise as desert 10 his dinner
 What luck. Jamieo9 she asked, stir ring the frying potatoes with a case knife.
 None at a'I." he answered. soberly. Don't seem to be vacancy anywhere. Mamie. I've been clear out to Wals- worth's. but he amt needin any one just now. Says he had to lay off two men Saturday Times are gettin dull. he says, and he has to cut expenses.
 Nan did net reply, but stirred the po- tatoes vigorously.
 Presently Jim arose and going into the kitchen sat down on the edge of the table His forehead was furrowed with deep lines of care and anxiety.
 Nan. he said, after a long silence, the boys at the mills want me to run for constable They say they'll all vote for me and that I'm sure to be elected. .
 Nan looked up suddenly.
 For constable?' she asked. Why, Jim
 And why not Nannie?" he asked "It pays about s1 200 a year. and it's worth having. Thing what we could GO with s1.20O a year for two years, anyhow, Nan"
 T know. she answered, 'but-but I'm afraid Jamie.
 Afraid" he demanded.
 q don't know anything about poli- ties she said, and I'm afraid you might be defeated. and that would hurt would make you feel more discouraged than ever. wouldn't it?"
 But can't be defeated, he replied All need is the nomination, you know. Our partys in the majority and-and if I'm nominated, why that settles it, don't you see?"
 But are you sure of being nomi- nated?' she asked. looking at him with hopeful eyes.
 The boys in the mills are for me to a man. Of course they are not all the party but they are willing to work for me, and that would be big start, don t you see?"
 He grew enthusiastic and some of his enthusiasm was imparted to his wife.
 "Oh. wouldn't it be nice if you could be elected she said, pausing in her work to look at him proudly. Some called Jim Paxton shiftless, but to Nan he was always her big, true-hearted. unfortu- nate Jamie. Twelve hundred-why that's hundred dollars a monthi Per haps-we could buy a little home Jamie
 And you could have some new dresses and a new hat, and-and there wouldn t be anything wouldn't get for you, Nan nie"
 He had left the table and was pacing the floor, nervously.
 And I can get the nomination, too, ' he continued; T can get it, tell you I'm sure of all the laboring men votes, and all need IS" He paused and his face clouded
 .Tt uvbat Jopoia7H
 ''Is something I haven't got-some- thing I cant get, Mamie" he said gloomily.
 He sighed and the old look of dis couragement came into his face.
 Its this way" he said, after a mo- ment, seeing the unspoken question in her eyes, I'd have to have more than just the labor vote. Nan. I'd have to make a eanvass-that is, I'd have to see every voter in our party and I'd have to have two or three other fellows help me to get others to vote for me Of course these fellows would have to be paid. and then there'd be othcs expenses-quite 3 lot of other expenses, and-it would cost considerable. But au't got any money Nan"
 Mans fare clnuded