Woodruff County news., 1907-11-07
MIR. BRIGGS WAS TACTFUL

 When MT. Briggs came home one evening and found his wife with eyes suspiciously red he only kissed her as usual and made no remarks. Briggs was man who prided himself on his tact He studiously guided the conversation on commonplace sub Jects while they sat at supper. Mrs. Briggs answered in monosyllables of forced cheerfulness.
 Now, my dear, what is the mat ter?' he suddenly asked when the meal was finished.
 "Oh, nothing" replied Mrs Briggs, biting her lip and with eyes cast down.
 Aha, Watson, the beautiful lady has a beautiful redness about the eyes. She has been weeping. Ergo, she has something troubling her." soliloquized Briggs in a humorous way he had of burlesqulng the famous detective of fiction.
 Mrs. Briggs pouted, hesitating be. tween tears and smile At this op- perfume moment her husband arose, went around the table and put an arm about her shoulders.
 Now, tell me all about it, little woman,' he said. You see, it does no good denying that something is troubling you. My powerful andy tic and introspectively deductive mind tells me otherwise"
 After moment Mrs. Briggs spoke.
 I'll never give another cent to that hateful fresh air fund, never" she said, and held handkerchief to her eyes
 What have they done to hurt you?' he ventured.
 Mrs. Briggs arose. went to the side board and took out a paper Pointing to paragraph, she bade her husband read. It was under the list of fresh air fund subscriptions and read as fol- lows:
 One check was received signed "A Friend This of course, cannot be credited'
 Briggs read the item and looked at his wife.
 But I don't see-does this make you feel bad?" he puzzled.
 Certainly, stupid, sent the check" " she explained. You see I have been reading about the poor waifs that live in those big tenements on the East side, and have such pinched little lives, and lots of them die every sum- mer. And they keep one of them in the country, where they can drink milk, and pick flowers, and romp on the green grass and get healthy for five dollars. So l decided 1 could spare ten dollars, and sent it. Oh, felt so good, thinking that two little children were out having a good time on my ten dollars"
 And how did you sign the check you sent?" asked Briggs, trembling with a suspicion of the truth.
 q just signed it A Friend" re- piled his wife q didn't want to let my right hand know what my left hand was doing. So I signed it that way. and now comes that horrid let ter"
 Briggs spared for breath. When he could trust himself to speak he did so, guardedly.
 "M'm-most extraordinary" he unused judicially. Very untactful on their part to say the least. Still, it may be that they use the full name system. It is, in fact, quite pos sible I may say probable"
 "The full name system?" asked Mrs. Briggs doubtfully.
 Yes" explained Briggs. You see, it is a check system in which the full name must be signed and no pseu- donym. I think, it is my opinion, you should have signed your full name, and then requested in an accompanying letter that they should credit your subscription to A Friend This system is almost universally used now.'
 Mrs. Briggs eyes were wide with wonder.
 Dear me, I might have thought of that" she said Business is so com plicated. I'll send another check"
 Briggs was a man who prided him. ob1f Op bic toot