Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-06-08
A WISE HUSBAND.
BY BARRY PAIN.

Thank you so much, dearest" said
Ida. you never forget my poor little
day, do your"
mo, dear, no." said her husband, as
be gave her the broken poached egg and
took the more perfect specimen for him
self. Il never forget your sweet little
birthday, and now comes the great ques-
ton, What am to give my darling?"
How kind Of you. l hardly know
what to say. You see," she added, shyly
some things cost so much more than
others, don't they7"
YES" said George, medltatiyely,
that is a perfectly Just observation.
However, on this occasion don't want
you to think about money value at all
| have had an exceptionally good year,
Even IL l had not 1t would be painful
for me to think Of money at all in this
connection. l always say 1t is not the
money value of a present which gives II
Its worth, but the spirit in which it is
offered. (Will you want this last piece
of toast? NOT Then will take IT,
Now, what is 1t to be7 On what have
you set your heart"
ITO tell the TRUTH" SAID Ida, Il have
Iet my heart on something, but am al
most ashamed to say It,"
"Why?"
They are perfectly lovely, but the
man in the shop said e2OO was the low
est price. You might be able to get them
for less, because you are so clever in
business. 1t is only a single row and
they've got diamond clasp. You know
those that Mary wears2 Well, these are
lust like them, only hers, Of course, are
only Imitation"
"Ah!" said George, with an indulgent
smile. And what is it exactly you are
talking about? WHAT'S the precise idea
that has got into my wife's pretty
head?"
I'm afraid it is a pearl necklace"
The indulgent smile still remained,
but he shook his head. His manner was
that of the father at the zoo who is tell
ing his baby that she must not really
ride on the lion. II wonder If you have
any idea what pearls are2"
"These are 9200, didn't say2"
Eyes, dearest, you did, but If you were
asked to describe pearl how would you
do it,"
81 should say that 1t was a precious
stone"
1T is funny how that idea has got
about. A pearl is not a mineral at all
1t has not that quality of hardness which
is demanded, believe, in every precious
stone, unless, perhaps, the opal is ex-
.epted"
How do you come to know all these
things? l shan't mind bit about the
hardness. They'll be as hard as want
1t isn't as if l were going to jump on
them, George, dear. | shall wear them
sound my neck. They are a necklace,
didn't say?"
George shuddered. Yes, sweetheart,
you did. That is what is so appalling
The mere thought of it makes my blood
run cold. To think that you should put
such things on you, actually allowing
them to touch your skin, is too horrible
for words. 1t is an ordeal would never
under any hollow pretense of generosity
dream of subjecting you to. think far
too highly of you, my dear, for that"
But why? l can't see It. | think
pearls are Just too beautiful for words,
[ could look at them all day."
I'VE have to think what they really
are. That is what l cannot get away
from. l can never shut my eyes to It.
So much so is that the case that the very
sight of a real pearl causes me a feeling
of nausea. Pearls are the pathological
secretion of a dirty shelltish. | am
sorry to have to use such words, but
they give you the plain fact"
What is a pathological secretion?
Il mean that they have their origin in
disease. Am to take horrible prod
net of a diseased fish and hang it round
my wifes pretty neck? No; the idea is
too repulsive. Yes" he continued, as
she began to speak, 81 admit your ar
Sument. | know that there are women
If supposed refinement who do these
.hings, but either 1t says little for their
refinement or much for their ignorance
[ assure you that on one occasion
nearly had to leave the theater because
the lady in the stall next me was wear
ing a rope of these painful objects. Their
only right place is in a pathological
museum"
Il never knew you felt so strongly
about it. OF course. George, l give up
the idea at once. It's really rather fat
.ering that you should think me too
good to wear real pearls. Yet" she
looked medltative.
yet" said George, cheerfully, you
10 in your heart like the shape and the
color of these things"
That's true"
Then I'll tell you what we'll do. My
objections to real pearls cannot appiy
to the artificial and at the same time the
artificial have the shape and color,
which is all that you really want. Iwlll
get little necklace for you to-day for a
shilling or two and that will leave
mough over to renew the llnoleum in
the upstairs passage. Now must be
off to the city. How would 1t be II my
little treasure ran along into the hall
and brushed her husbands hat for him3'