Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-02-25

l h0OStAJ 0AN hbOhAahJ eANt eN%~---9
the end was now inevitable. drew a
check next morning for our full balance.
Then went away, leaving the check
and the obsequies in the hands Of the
little woman. II the amount was not
quite enough she was to make 1t up
out Of her weekly purse. II 1t was too
much she was to keep the change.
BY some quirk Of fortune It was too
much. II was several dollars too much
The little woman was elated until the
driver regarded the check rather doubt
fully and decided that he couldn't give
money for It. He would give the goods
freely enough. The amount Of them was
fully ten times as much as the change
coming but they were only goods.
Money was different matter. He had
probably heard of bogus checks This
might be one of them. He couldn't ex-
change good money, however little. for
a bogus check. Perhaps he was new
driver. hope so, for his sake.
The little woman's argument was OF
no avail. He was good-natured, but he
was firm. He was also ingenious. He
suggested that another check for the
correct amount would set everything
straight. II 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 ofpaper,
from a receipt for load Of coal to first
mortgage, with coupons A check
seemed of less importance than these.
Besides, a new check would leave bal
ance as starting-point Of new ac-
count We were as one, why not?
She told me about 1t when got home.
1t seems she had certain misgivings by
that time probably the promptings Of
subconscious memory of banking mat
tiers 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 l did not think 1t wise to
spend the night in looking up the presi-
dent or even the cashier, to explain.
Besides, such explanations as | could
invent quickly did not suit me- wanted
to sleep on the matter and take 1t up
fresh in the morning Then, maybe, I
could make up something that would
keep the little woman in the back
ground.
I 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.
| consoled her with the suggestion that.
while ignorance of the law was regard
ed as no excuse, there were certain ex-
tenuating circumstances = that I
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
the new waist, and our gen.
eral assortment Of furnishing goods as
ashes to the little woman. She was sor-
~ now. She wished she had let me buy
the chair. We had an early breakfast.
The banker regarded me rather doubt
bully when l had finished my statement.
He had known me on both sides Of the
edger for some time. but this was new
phase.
you say your-eh, housekeeper made
! check, without full knowledge OF the
seriousness attaching to the signing Of
James in that promiscuous way?"
"I-yes, that's about It"
l was covering the little woman's
IDENTIFY and lack Of knowledge, not
altogether unnatural to the sex, but
which ! felt that he, a. banker, might
egard with scorn.
"Of course" he proceeded. "as one
ot directly related to you the mat
er appears somewhat more serious.
lad It been really one Of your family
ow-your sister, for instance, or 4
our" t
"oh, but It's Just the same, you know"
put in. Il mean, Of course, that She
hat she's really one Of the family-that
J, Of course, It's all right, mean"
! had not explained my plan to the
tile woman before starting. I had an
ndercurrent Of wonder. now, what she
'ould say II she could overhear my e.
'rts to get her decently out Of the pit
III into which her pride had tumhleA