Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-25
THE
LITTLE WOMAN'S I"
FORGERY
By ALBERT BIGELow PAINE

IN r. new addition was complete, bu
~ we never quite seemed to &c
through paying for it. A number O
times We thought we thought we ha,
settled the last and final bit Of our liza
bilities, a new demand would b.
presented new hydra head to b.
smitten off, new wound to be searet
over and forgotten. A big brace TO
the tall new chimney was an extra,
Of course. Likewise the storm win
dows and a rlfw patent dampef for thi
furnace, guaranteed to save anywhere
from nine to SO per cent. of the Goa
used, and to supply at least double tho
heat. The spark-screen, andirons, and
other adjuncts for the fireplace these
too, were outside the contract, and q
good deal easier to buy than to pay for
even when the buying meant housing
about in dusty antique stores, and the
paying simple matter Of drawing q
check.
It Is easy to draw checks when the
account is replete-in fact, 1t Is rather
a pleasure to do SOL am sure the lit
woman used to regard me with an adj
miration akin to awe as l carelessly
filled in the figures and name of the
payee, and signed my name with a
neat flourish on the line below.
l suppose she wondered why l never
let her do 1t, and very likely consider
ed me selfish In conserving to myself
this important and rather agreeable
duty, though l did not think 50 at the
time.
It presently became less agreeable.
When the figure of our balance waned
into the perspective until 1t became
thin line that would vanish at the least
touch, the construction of q check be-
came a serious matter. TWAS no long
or lightly conceived and carelessly put
together, with decorative scrolls at the
end, like spring lyric. It became Q
thing Of forethought and reflection
to be wrought at last with grave dig
nifty that savored Of the epic's solemn
close-with that feeling Of sadness and
longing that marks the end Of each
and every waning balance In the bank
er's TILL
As was saying, our balance became
. feature of consideration, even discus
sion. There were q good many things
we still needed in the way of furniture
and decorations, now that our habita-
ton was to our liking. We also needed
clothes. When we sat down in our
rather imposing rooms In which there
we're q few good old pieces Of fuvni-
tVe, and some truly antique rugs, the
TACT that our apparel was also good
Ind old did hot give pleasure to the
little woman.
She became almost disagreeable
Ibout It one day, when was arguing |
'or q new chair. and declared that we
ooked like tramps that had got in
While the folks were away.
still urged the chair. said that |
.lothes were q matter Of display and
1anity. Also, that they were transient
nd fleeting. while the chair would be
he comfort Of lifetime. Whereupon
he little woman stated that there were
ertain garments that were not
lsed for display, except In magazine
advertisements, and that these as well
. the chair were matters Of comfort.
nd needed q good deal more. She In
listed that we had laid out enough on
xtraneous Injuries for one year, and
hat there were . few things we might
orego, in order to be decently clad.
To do the little woman justice, may
~ that believe her general tendency
. rather toward furniture than raj
ient-this being the true collector
pirit, and to be commended. She had
mothered her better inclination. this
me. and was ready to sacrifice the
hair for q sink waist and something
, 90 under It. She meant TO have the
arments. whatever the cost. You shan
" how she was punished. II
We went together. Neither could
ute trust the other alone IN the de- .,
artment store rsvel that was to fol-
" the purchase Of the waist The
Iscinaiions Of . department store are
% great 10 Be resisted singly. Even '
orking togethsr and IN full accord l
Z yielded oftsner than vas good for
n balance sheet. or for the prospect Z
The new chair any tine within . '
Iriod when We might reasonably hope
ned comforts for the nesh. ]
We didn't pay a. We bought Thers !
great saving Of tine IN getting . q
an1fsr card. and a grustsr certainty .
prompt delivery IN having goodl 4
ne c. o. d Wien We got throaeh 4
} had bought most q ne thin1H We '
niG lhlnk q without nsli1r hen.