Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-07
Mans Hundred
 Dollars By EDGAR wELToN COOLEY
Scopyrishs. 1904, by Daily Story Pub. O.,

the contents from the big official en- velope, read the Letter and smoothed upon her knee the piece of blue paper that accompanied 1t. When she had fsaished she sank upon the floor and cried.
 A hundred. dollars! A small amount to be her entire share of relatives estate; but large amount to Nan-the 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's home-she could procure with that! Jim had been out of work for month and 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 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- en, where her preparations for dinner had been interrupted by the postman's visit
 Then Jim came home-poor, patient,
  his worn shoes and the pathetic stoop to his shoulders.
 He came in quietly and taking a seat by the window, gazed 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 to his dinner.
 What luck, Jamie ?'' she asked, stir ring the frying potatoes with a case knife
 None at all..' he answered, soberly. Don't seem to be vacancy anywhere, | Mamie. I've been clear out to Wals- worth's, but he ain n'tneedin' 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 not reply, but stirred the po- l tatoes vigorously I 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.
 Man." he said, after long silence, s'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. I For constable?" she asked ''Why, Jim.,'
 And why not, Mamie ?' he asked, Tt ! pays about $1 200 year, and it's worth I having Thing what we could do with I $1,200 8 year for two years, anyhow, Nan.''.
 q know" she answered, "but- but I'm afraid, Jamie"
 "Afraid?" he demanded.
 T don't know anything about poli- ties" she said, land I'm afraid you might be defeated, and that would hurt would make you feel more discouraged than ever, wouldn't it?" a "But can't be defeated,' he replied "All need is the nomination, you know. Our party's in the majority and-and if I'm nominated, why that settles it, don't t you seer"
 ''But are you sure of being nomi- nated?" she asked, looking at him with I 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 ms, 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 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 month! Per haps-we could buy little home l Janie." <. a9
 "And you could have some new dresses and new hat, and-and there wouldn' t be anything wouldn't get for you, Man. nie."
 He had left the table and was pacing the floor, nervously.
 "And I can get the nomination, too, 2 he continued; T can get it, tell you. I'm sure of all the laboring mems votes, and all need isis" He paused and his face clouded.
 It what, Jamie?"
 sTs something I haven't got-some- thing I can't get, Nannie," he said il gloomily.
 He sighed and the old look of dis couragement came into his face.
 
 Its this way" he said, after mo- ment, seeing the unspoken question in her eyes, ..I'd have to have more than just the labor vote, Nan. I'd have tc make a canvass-that is I'd have to sec every voter in our party and I'd have tc 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 other expenses quite g lot of other expenses, and--it would cost considerable. But ain't got any money Nan.''
 Mans face clouded.
 ''How muchdo you think--it would cost you Jamie?" she asked, very slow. 1y, trying to think.
 ''Oh, I could pull through on hun. dred dollars" he replied. Yes, a hun dred dollars would be plenty. But i might just as we'll be thousand, fol I ain't got no show of gettin' it, that can see"
 Nan qasped A hundred dollars