The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-07-14
HOW PERCY. HELPED,


too. She had been to Paul Jones sale
1t was remnant day"-and she had
got a few little things which dear
baby absolutely had to have, besides
a few more quite indispensable tritlcs
for herself, all of them dirt cheap"
She had been forced to confess, how
ever, that the weeks housekeeping
money had been severely encroached
upon, and l am afraid ] was not en-
thusiastic over the Jones sale. In
stead .of chasing the passing cloud
from her sweet eyes, as | knew how
to do, l had even heaved a sigh Of
relief as the door slammed after her.
So l was hard at work and within
sight of the end at last when voice
on the stairs, shouting 81 know my
way" made me swear gentle oath
under my breath before the door
opened and one Percy Falmouth stood
before me.
He was a college friend, one of those
who always prevent one from work
ing, but to whom one is never able to
say nay.
His face, that was wont to be fresh,
was sallow and gray, and his eye, that
was always merry, was dull and down
cast.
"What's the matter, old man?" said
/. You're down on your luck"
1t took him some time to bring the
trouble out, even to me, but at last he
managed it. He was in love.
"Is that all?" cried l cheerily. "Well,
don't be alarmed. l assure you when
you have got over the beginning it
isn't bad at ALL"
at isn't that" said my friend gloom
lily after pause.
isn't what?" l asked.
at isn't that 1 mind being in love-"
he explained, "but how am l to keep
a wife?"
My chair spun round again of itself
"You." 1 cried almost fiercely. "Why,
haven't you got $500 year of your
own?' And vision of the weekly
books and the monthly bills swan be-
fore my eyes and made me run my
fingers wildly through my hair. "You
are a nice one to talk!"
Percy smiled SarcaSt1cally.
1.-TWO thousand five hundred dol
lars! echoed he. "Why, it wouldn't
keep her in silk petticoats!
looked grave instantly.
'And it wouldn't keep any woman,
said my friend, rising and throwing
his cigarette away as he warmed to
his subject. And one wouldn't wish
that it should What man cares to
see his wife looking trump and
dowdier than other women? And ii
isn't only the clothes; it's the house
and the furniture and the servants and
everything. Dinginess is out of date
/ sighed.
"If l were to marry on $500 a
year." continued Percy emphatically,
Il should be in debt in two months
and my wife and l would have quar-
relied forever"
Why didn't l smile? l had beer
married more than two years, and
though l had certainly been in deb
most of the time, my wife and l hat
not quarreled yet.
But vision of pouting mouth ant
tear dimmed blue eyes rose uncomfort
ably before me. Instead of smiling i
was l now who sighed
Perhaps my wife had not brought
home small. soft parcels enough from
Jones sale, instead of, as had mean
ly supposed that morning, too many.
But man can work." said l as
bravcly as l could.
Work. echoed Percy bitterly
"That's all very well if you've got
brains. l have no qualifications fol
earning money, and love in cottage
isn't good enough nowadays"
Somehow this speech restored me tC
my balance.
He smoked another cigarette, ant
then he took up his hat, and breathet
a sigh Of relief.
''It's a devil of a mess for a fellow
to be in" he said gloomily.
EYES," said /, 'I'm afraid you'll have
to find a wife who can work on hel
own account. There are a good man!
of them about nowadays"
He looked at me doubtfully. ooh
/ hate that sortv' he said. "a cir
with moneys better, but that Won
help me just now"
$50 1 supposed" said 1. And le
him out. 1 had sworn at his entrance
but he had brought me luck.
The words literally few from m.
pen when 1 sat down again. Their
was something spurring me on. Their
was a goal in sight that knew Of.
And when had put my name to tn
last sheet and was free sought it,
Upstairs in the nursery my wife sa
beside the cradle. She had our chill,
in her arms and was lulling him t
sleep. Her eyes shone as she looket
up at me; her face was fresh, and sh
was as dainty as any man could wis
In a plain white frock-ready to we
come me to dinner after my worl
AS bent down to kiss her said gay
ily, "I've made up a splendid weel