Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-07-22
couraging her husband to light on and

pulHtuieitt Hdu uuuttiutHGu HIS Iufli-
tude He loved Emma he hardly
could have done otherwise, though
calculation had entered largely into
his courting of her. Chivalrously,
while the sweet bliss Of their early
married life held him in its spell. he
had done as much Of the heavier work
of the menage as he could to spare
her when time and opportunity afford
ed, but very naturally he had soon
tired of this where is the man who
does not t?-and by degrees had left as
much of 1t as he could TO her. except
when his moods Of optimism and af-
fectionate solicitude impelled him to
go to her assistance. AT such times he
wanted TO do ii all
On the c-ening following his out
burst at th. office he was still resent
full and down in the mouth" when he
let himself into his little fiat. and the
smiles of his wife dis she raised her
rosebud lips TO receive his kiss of
greeting failed to dispel his gloom.
You seem out Of sorts tonight,
dear she said solicitously ANY
thing go wrong at the Officer"
Nothing in particular I'm tired
and hungry after shaving all day in
this awful heat. that's all"
Never mind supper's all ready. SO
sit down and tuck in.''
What did you get?'
Chops and potatoes
Joe turned up his nose. but took his
seat at table and began to eat He
answered his wife's questions in mono
/ syilables. His thoughts. it was plain.
versation. and, seeing that he was pre-
occupied aud troubled, she ceased to
try to engage his attention.
Il paid the gas bill today" he vouch-
safed at length. Ninety cents more
than last month";
Ninety cents morew she commented
| with concern. Pm sure we didn't
use half as much. And we owe the
! butcher four-sixty."
Every month it costs more to live.
| don't know what we are going to do,
I'm sure
I'm sorry, Joe. Goodness knows
try to be as economical as | can"
Il know. but it's all wrong. It's all
wrong that you should be spelling
your hands with those beastly greasy
pans. They weren't meant for such
work. | wish we could afford hired
girl
80 do |, but we can't, so what's the
use of wishing? Didn't you get the
raise you asked Captain Williams
for?" she inquired.
mo-
He hung his head and lapsed into
gloomy silence. She dropped the NOR
sci she was raising to her mouth and
rose from the table. filed with dis
may, her appetite completely gone.
Tears of disappointment followed the
realization of what the failure of their
plans meant. for neither had doubted
that his request would be complied
with. and she had built many castles
in the air on the strength of it. A few
dollars more a week added to their
distressingly small income would have
meant much to them. But, gazing at
her husband sitting there utterly de-
jected and crushed. her heart went out
to him in pity and love, and she moved
over to his chair and put her arm con-
solingly round his neck
Never mind. Joe, boy" she urged;
don't look so solemn. We're no worse
off than we were before. and you'll
win out some day."
She placed her hand under his chin
and raised his head to kiss him. He
saw that she was smiling at him en-
couragingly through her tears, but re-
fused to be comforted.
Il made out the payroll today" he
said. 'sThree other men in the Office
who also asked for raise last month
got it; so did Smith,"
What, .JimsyT' she asked.
II said Smith. There's only one
Smith in the Office" he replied some
what suriily
well, I'm glad for Jimsy's sake he
got what he wanted
Il think he told Williams to come
across with more money or he'd quit"
'sHow much did he ask for?''
Eighteen hundred
Eighteen hundred? My gracious,
isn't that fineg'
1T means that he'll be getting near
ly 5000 year now. Great for him.
isn't it?'
..Yes. indeed it is.''
Il saw Jimsy today. Asked him to
come to supper He said he would If
he could"
Il wonder why he didn't?"
Her husband did not answer immedi-
ately. When he did he burst out saw
agely:
Suppose he thought we couldn't af-
ford it. Two don't eat as much as
three"
why, Joe. how absurdp' she laugh
ed, beginning to gather up the supper
plates. "Jimsy knows it's pot luck"
That's the trouble Jimsy knows