Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-09-04

I
assured Mrs Brooks that he
Il ~ would bear them no grudge be.
cause OF her husbands attack
upon him, ne did not return again 20
the little dat. and IL was some time be-
fore Mrs. Harris and Beth favored
them with another visit But this
! did not trouble the young couple a bit.
/ Commencing on that night when he
had insisted on taking his wife 70 a
| place OF amusement. Joe's conduct to-
ward her had undergone a complete
| change. Instead OF returning home de-
| pressed and irritable he was nearly
always Ia good humor and affection.
| ately considerable. They needed no
other company than their own and oc-
casionaily Jimsy's.
The happy transformation had been
brought about by an unexpected bit OF
luck. As joe explained Il 10 his de-
lighted wife. In his capacity OF coll
lector he had become very friendly
with the manager Of concern which
transacted business with the steam
ship company. and this gentleman had
offered him $40 a week 20 render. when
required. certain little services in the
| matter OF collections which he was
able 10 do without Interfering 10 any
extent with the duties the Latin
American liAe paid him for perform
ING. u was just the amount OF the
advance he had asked for and which
Captain Williams had refused 10 give
him, and IL represented the difference
between very painful sparing and COM
parative ease. And that was not all.
One thing leading 10 another. Joe was
enabled now and then 20 earn an extra
50 OF $40 from other sources.
With this prosperous turn in his ar
fairs the self confidence and assurance
that long had abandoned him under
his repeated disappointments and fail
ure TO make Roadway returned No
rose supineness gave way 10 vim and
energy. His old optimism had revived
in most extravaganza form. He began
10 be interested in the price Of real es-
tate and automobiles.
His wife. with the SOLDERING recolIec-
ton OF the gulf between talk and
achievement. Of desire and possession.
was careful TO build no hopes upon
these fabrics OF vision, though she was
too wise 20 seek to restrain the ardor
or his imagination. She did however.
take with gratitude what the gods had
given, pending the bestowal of possi-
bly, greater favors. The substantial
addition TO their means enabled her 10
hire woman who (when she felt Ike
~ did the dirtier work OF the house
hold that had been such a tax upon
her. Little toilet necessities aad Access
series made their appearance Brooks. |
when be had made an extra good
week. insisted on lavishing his add
tonal earnings upon her New and
suitable clothing restored her self re-
spect and the pleasure that every wo-
man feels or should feel in making
herself attractive.
MIS-. Harris and Beth could not fan |
to notSce the change and IT had a !
gradual but marked effect on their at |
utude toward Brooks. which became |
more civil aud cordial Emma de- |
clined TO crafty their inquisitiveness
beyond admitting that Joe was get |
ting on" To all leading questions she ]
returned evasive answers, one reason /
being that deep resentment ranked In 1
the heart OF her husband for the lofty /
disdain under which he had suffered 1
Tor so long aud that he objected em-