The Democratic advocate., 1909-08-20
AUNT JUDITH'S
SPOONS.
The Part They Played In the Life
Of Peggy and Dick.
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.

~ s-WF@E BAILEY
IcoDyrIght 1909. by Associated Literary
Press.l
The Merritts' wedding presents had
been very plain and practical. They
bad few rich friends. aud their rela-
tiyes had confined themselves to furni-
ture and useful articles for the small
fiat. Peggys girl companions had
given her centerpieces and lingerie,
and Dicks Office colleagues had cIubbed
together and had presented cut glass
punch bowl
But Aunt Judith gave silver spoons
heavy, solid and richly chased.
Il think II was lovely OF her." said
the little wife as she set her own table
for the FIRST time. "A little good silver
is such a help Some day we win buy
forks and knives to match. won't we.
Dicky, boyT
Sure" said Dick easily. They've
got to appreciate me at the Office soon.
won't let them grind me down this
way always"
1MA ~ AtAtHA AA DAtAtI was HtUM III
coming. Dicks worth was evidently
not as apparent to his employers as to
himself. and gradually the furniture
and carpets began TO grow shabby, and
the silver spoons were still the only
sign of elegance ia the Merritts home
Peggy polished them every day.
You see. she told Aunt Judith, who
"a rfHa. Hfadafs
visit them. we don't seem really poor
when We can SIP our tea from shining
silver"
1T Is you who brighten things up"
said Aunt Judith. "you with your
cheerful face
"oh" suddenly PeKEy's voice broke
/ and heG eyes hlicd toh. Aunt Judith
sou don't know how hard Il Is 10 smile
sometimes"
WHY. chlldr-thcrc was consterna.
tion IN the old lady's tone aren't you
happyY
Its on acSount Of Dick. Things
arcn't going right with him az the Of
Gee They don't seem TO get on with
him OF be doesn't with them, and be
gets blue, aud Il Isn't easy for me TO
cheer him np"
u see, Eald shrewd Aunt Judith.
and that night she asked the young
husband. How are things at the Of
acer'
Rotten" was the Illuminating re-
ply They promised 20 give me =
raise a year ago. bat they haven't
done H."
why notY" asked Aunt Judith.
They don't appreciate me-" Dick
fung out
I Perhaps" Aunt Judith began and
thon stopped II am not going 10 help
him out" vas her mental comment.
'iIe has his own lesson 20 learn"
/ But Auft Judith did not realize that
7 while Dick was learning hts lesson
Peggy must suffer
"Iic thinks too much Of himself"
Z was hcr further thought ns the days
+ went on. 'i'il let him work hard until
some of the copceit Is taken out Of
I him.
I And with that she packed her bag
] aud went back TO her little home town
{ Dick was not made Of stern stun,
7 and as the days went by the clouds on
his face grew darker and darker. and
al last he came home early one after.
nooe and threw himself heavily into
the chair,
We'll. I'm. out Of job" he said as
Peggy crossed the room TO welcome
him
"Dickie Her voice came fFemulouaiy.
They said they didn't want me any
more. that wasn't any good And
ifs tho truth l am not any good.
Peggy"
She knelt down beside him. "You
are the dearest thing in the world 10
me. Richard she said. and her arms
went around bis neck.
For moment be let them stay there:
then he nung them on. You'll begin
10 see how worthless I am after a
time" he said. ''I'm no good. Peggy.
A man who can't keep his job and sup.
port his wife might az sell he dead"
Then az be saw the sick horror In
her face he gathered her into his
arms. II didn't mean just that he
murmured. "bnt / don't know what
has got into me. / can't see things
right any more"
After that Dicks days were spent IN |
search OF work and Peggy's in sewing |
on little white garments which she
made from her own wedding lingerie. |
She had not written to Aunt Judith OF
the bad state OF affairs. and there was
no one else. for Peggy was an orphan.
and 40 was Dick.
The meals became 80 scant In sub /
stance that at lnst Dick said. tits |
hardly worth while 10 serve boiled po-
tatoes with silver spoons. Is II. Peggy7
You'd better let me pawn them and |
pay the rent"
"oh. nor peggy's hand was over her
heart. "oh, nor
"well. the FIRST thing you know wen
be set out In the street"
Then into Peggy's face had come
something that Dick had never seen
bcforo--a white look Of contempt
"If | were q man." she said slowly. I
Il would break stones on the road
rather than not be able 10 support my
wife"
For a moment Dick stared at her:
then he flung himself out of the room.
After he had gone Peggy cried hope
lessly. But at last she wiped her eyes,
gathered up the silver spoons, and she,
too, went out.
When she came back she had the
money for the rent and the materials
for a good dinner. for the spoons were
heavy and had brought a good price.
She cooked the dinner and waited for
Dick. But he did not come. The food