Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-05-05

correct amount would set everything
straight If the missus only had another
check now, she could write 1t to fit the
figures Of the bill.
The little woman hesitated. She had
never been allowed to perform this espe-
cial and sacred rite, though she had
signed almost every other kind Of paper,
from a receipt for load of coal to "a first
mortgage, with coupons. A check
seemed of less Importance than these
Besides, new check would leave bal
ance as a starting-poin of a new ac-
count We were as one, why not?
She told me about 1t when got home.
It seems she had certain misgivings by
that Unexpectedly the promptings Of
a subconscious memory of banking mat
ters and cashiers arbitrary require
ments in the matter of characteristic
signatures. 1t was too late to do any
thing that night. The bank was closed
long ago, and did not think 1t wise to
spend the night in looking up the presl-
dent or even the cashier. to explain.
Besides, such explanations as I could
invent quickly did not suit me- wanted
to sleep on the matter and take 1t up
fresh in the morning Then, maybe, l
could make up something that would
keep the little woman In the back
ground.
don't think she slept great deal.
She had some idea that an officer would
be waiting downstairs In the morning,
and that she would never look on our
precious ones or her silk waist again.
I consoled her with the suggestion that,
while ignorance of the law was regard
ed as no excuse, there were certain ex
tenuating circumstances - that
thought the precious ones would hard
ly be grown, and that the silk waist
might be in fashion again by the time
she returned to gladden. our hearts once
more. Still, there was an uncertainty
about the outcome that made the bright
morning, the new waist, and our gen.
eral assortment of furnishing goods as
ashes to the little woman. She was sor-
ry now. She wished she had let me buy
the chair We had an early breakfast.
The banker regarded me rather doubt
fully when l had finished my statement.
He had known me on both sides Of the
ledger for some time, but this was new
phase.
you say your-eh, housekeeper made
a check, without full knowledge Of the
seriousness attaching to the signing OF
names in that promiscuous way?"
"I-yes, that's about 1t"
was covering the little woman's
identity and a lack of knowledge, not
altogether unnatural to the sex, but
which l felt that he, as banker, might
regard with scorn.
"Of course" he proceeded, "as one
not directly related to you the mat
ter appears somewhat more serious.
Had it been really one Of your family
now-your sister, for instance, or
your"
ooh, but it's just the same, you know"
put in. 81 mean, Of course, that she
that she's really one of the family-that
is. of course, it's all right, mean"
had not explained my plan to the
little woman before starting. had an
undercurrent of wonder, now, what she
would say il she could overhear my eff
forts to get her decently out of the pit
fall into which her pride had tumbled
us. hoped she was enjoying her new
things.
A clerk brought the check at that mo-
ment. 1t had come in from the clearing
house, having travelled safely through
several miles Of circumlocution. The
six inches between the bankers hands
and mine would be it's hardest tug. The
banker scrutinized the signature Sc
verely.
Rather delicate hand for a-house-
keeper How long did you say she had
been in your service?"
named the largest number Of years
within human limits, and reviewed the
proprietary interest she had always felt
in our affairs-the amount Of receipts
and things she was daily called upon to
| lQQO1Se- BSNC ohONhCA oA4N ILL
proved version Of the episode with the
intelligent driver who was willing to
give any amount Of goods for my check,
but no change. I abused the driver
there was no harm IN doing that-he
wasn't there, and It wouldn't have hurt
him. anyhow. I think the driver saved
the situation. The banker took a
hand with me, at abusing him, Then
we we're united against a common enc
nv. and the little woman was safe.
thought she would be fearful and
contrite and grateful when l arrived
with the news that it was all right, and
that she was to remain with us. sup
pose she really was grateful, and I
know that she was glad, for she went
and put on all her new things and was
so proud and had such an air that /
didn't dare for the life Of me tell her
the Housekeeping" details Of my inter-
view with the banker, and have not men
toned them till this day.-Pearson's
Magazine.
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