Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-01-22

wien he reached his abode, a dingv
nouse IN an obscure back street. he
Iound his wife working upan n nile of
shlrts; This she had done for MANY
years 10 exc out their meager exist
ehce. Josiah was not unused to the
slght, since he had witnessed If day
utter day. but now he felt within his
sou an impulse Of indignation that his
wire should be doing such work: so.
Whlle his wife gazed in establishment
at her llege lord, who never before in
all their married life had returned so
early from the store, he stalked gran
uiioquently to the pile of shirts. gath
ered them up and cast them out Of the
door.
Josiah Reynoldsw exclaimed the
amazement-stricken wife, "are you
crazyT"
NO, Maria, I am not, but I do feel
rather strange here" said Josiah. tan
ping his forehead, "but crazy or not
you shall make no more shirts for
Wringer & %Starchem."
But, my dear, what shall we do?
l made three dollars a week out of
them; we can't get along without the
money"
Mrs. Reynolds answered Josiah.
with an air of dignity, 1.-THE wife of the
junior member Of the firm Of Alden &
reynolds does not need to make shirts
at three dollars a week"
Maria was ready to burst into tears.
Never before had her dear Josiah
called her Mrs. Reynolds; moreover, he
frightened her with his strange actions
ana 1~ncoherent talk, and, with a wom-
ans reasoning, she concluded he was
insane. So the tears that had been
gathering burst forth like a torrent. ac-
companied by a storm of sobs.
My dear Maria, what is the mat
teri? exclaimed the now awakened
husband; have 1 said or done any,
thing to offend you?"
No." sobbed Maria, "only go-gone
and go-got crazy"
why, Maria, I am not crazy; what
DO you mean by saying sop
What do you mean by talking
about the firm Of alden & Reynolds
when you r only a clerk getting fif.
teen dollars a week."
This was more than Josiah could
stand. What! He, a partner in the
firm, accused of being a clerk at fifteen
dollars a week? 1t vas an insult! In
a voice Of indignation he said:
Madam, l wish you to understand
that L am neither fool nor crazy. This
morning Mr.. Alden took me into part
nership; l hasten to tell you the good
news, and you accuse me Of being in
sane; nice encouragement, is it not?"
"Oh, Josiah, I am so gladw said
SIS it really and truly true?"
Eyes, it is true; and, moreover. Mr..
Alden is coming to live with us, and
when he dies he will leave all his
wealth to me. Maria, we are rich! No
more pinching and contriving; we can
live like human beings, and the chill
dren can have a chance to be some
body"
"Oh, 10. siah, 1 Am so glad!' said
Maria, and again the foodgate of tears
was opened; but this time the tears
were those Of joy, and were soon dried
up under her sun of happiness.
Now, Maria, as soon as the chill
drop noma pua will houa N nal
cursion and celebrate the birthday of
the Junior member of the firm Of Alden
& Reynolds"
In the bosom of his family, Josiah,
kind and benignant, celebrated the day
which opened to him and his such de-.
lightful prospects.
Next morning Josiah went to his
work at the usual hour. The rest Of
the help congratulated him-some hon
estly, some enviously-but all sub
serviently. He informed Mr.. Allen
that he could not receive him till a
week had passed, for he was about to
move into a new house.
you know, Mr.. Alden" he said,
at would not do for the firm to live
in such a neighborhood as that in
which l formerly lived"
mo, certainly not" assented Mr.. AL
den.
In a week everything was arranged.
Mr.. Alden was installed with his new
partner in a fine house, nicely fur
nished. 1t was true Josiah was obliged
to run in debt for the furnishings, but
then the firm was good for it. Mar
tina had her music teacher; Alfred vas
sent to college; Maria was not allowed
to do much Of any work, except to
oversee the girl; the children were
finely dressed, and everything went as
naturally as If the family had never
economical on fifteen dollars a week.
Mr. Aldnn made his will lon wing his