The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-02-08

"H6 mas always uOne just tnat way, ana
I am afraid 'Ephraim is joined to his
idols
''But l won't have it that way" and
the black eyes flashed. "You know some
thing about my former trials, Kittie. l
have said would never be worried that
way again and I won't [ shall make
bold demand in the morning for an allow
ance for you for dress and one for myself
for housekeeping, and if it is not granted
then I shall try stragegy. So look out, "
and with little defiant nod she was gone.
The next morning Mrs. Harlan, in her
neat morning wrapper, beamed brightly at
the judge from the head of the table, and
there being no servants present, said pleas
antly:
"What allowance have you usually made
for housekeeping expenses, Judge Harlan?
Kittie abdicated for me this morning, and
l wish to start just right.
"Ahem p coughed the judge, II have
never made an allowance, my dear. [
always like to know where the money goes
When you need anything just come to
me-.
Much to the girls surprise their step
mother only laughed pleasantly, and re-
piled
ooh! if you like to be bothered that
way it's all right suppose it would be
pleasanter for you to leave such trivial
matters to us women"
But an hour later the girls were enlight-
ened, and, judging from the peals Of
laughter that came from their room some
thing very funny was under discussion.
That afternoon, court being in session, a
number of lawyers had sought the judge in
his library, and in the midst of the eluci
dation of some abstruse point he was inter-
rupted by Kittie, who bowed gracefully to
the lawyers and laid her hand on her faith
ers shoulder.
eff you please, papa" she said, Il
want ten cents to get some hairpins to hold
up my hair .
Very much annoyed the judge gave
her dollar, and she said a:
"Thanks, papa, but this is too much.
Shall | bring you back the change?
mo, no" he said hurriedly, Il am
busy now Kitty. Run away
And Kitty ran away, with her hand
kerchief in her mouth and her cheeks
crimson with suppressed laughter. Hard
ly had she left the room when May stood
on the threshold, and said in her quiet
voice
Papa, need new lace for my throat
and sleeves. Can you give me the money
now?'
He asked no questions this time, but
hurriedly gave her twice the amount neces
sary. But she saw by the compression Of
his lips that he was angry and hastily re-
treated. And the next moment Mrs.
Harlan herself swept in among them, bow
ing gracefully, and said
Excuse the interruption, Judge and
gentlemen but, my dear, [ must have
fifty cents for the baker, and-oh, yes !!
the same amount for the butter man.
And the coffee is out, cook says. -
For an instant dark frown dis6gured
the handsome face of her ''lord and mas
ter, and he looked decidedly angry.
But he had great regard for appear
ances, so he quietly handed her his purse,
with the remark, ''get what you want, my
DEAR" and the lady retired saying cody,
''Sorry to interrupt, but these things must
be attended to, you know" and looking
up the judge caught CLEAN in her eyes
that told him the truth.
So the lawyers went home, wondering
at the queer way the judge managed his
domestic economy, and at dinner the judge
said little brusquely :
''Rather than be annoyed the way was
today, have concluded to give you girls
so much month for dress, and, you my
dear, so much for housekeeping. You
may set your own estimate.
And then he was astonished by cho-
rus of laughter, and the descent upon him
of three pairs of arms and three pairs of
lips, and in that way he saw through their
game. 1t was rather rough little lesson,
but very effectual one And SO a wo
mans wit overturned the habits of a life
time.