Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-02-10

his head grimly to the seasons
chill wind, he walked homeward. He
knew he was already late. that Rose
would be anxious and the supper
waiting. but he would not take the
car. Five rides instead Of six for
quarter as until tho change that
morning made a difference both In
his purse and In his temper. He was
angry and discouraged. He swung
his dinner pail defiantly as car after
car passed him. The car company
wouldn't get any nickel out OF him
that nieht-not II he knew It'll
Dark came early. and the street
amps were afiare In the little suburb
where he lived In small cottage
with his wife and four babies. the
eldest not eight. Tramping up the
walk. the cost of living renewed It's
grip on him-the struggle seemed
against him. Now there was Jones'
be was passing Jones trim little
house-he had some sort Of luck.
House paid for. Job as foreman
with better pay and little work The
Jonses had dinner instead Of supper,
and the eldest daughter. Elvie. had
quit working down town. Rose told
him that young Peters. SON Of Peters
the big contractor. was going with
the girl. And Jones had not worked
any harder than he. Morris-and was
Of doubtful promptness in bill paying
As he came, up to his own back
door, It opened. and Rose. with the
children a. her skirts. met him. He
was silent and rather gruff. He
brushed them aside. took on his cap
and coat and vest, and began splash
ing at the sink.
the roller towel at length.
'Everything's on the table, an
swered his wife quietly.
She knew the mans moods and re-
spected them. The day had not been
easy for her. The children had been
talking turkey constantly. and three
of them needed shoes. Also the long
suffering doctor had sent In his bill.
She didn't know now to speak OF
these things. The little family sat
down and ate the plain, well-cooked
food; the children were sleepy enough
to be quiet.
You're more'n an hour late. Sam.
Working overtime!"
mo such luck. Even an hours ex-
ira work would count. walked
home. See the papers? Carfare. like
everything else. has gone up notch.
Only five rides for quarter. / can't
AFFORD iuxuries" He broke baked
potato for Johnny. dabbled it with
gravy and resumed his eating Rose
wondered what more they could pos
sibly do without 1t was her bust
ness to make ends meet-thus far she
had done 1t. But the string wouldn't
bear further stretching.
Sam spoke like an answer-they
often thought In unison.
I'VE quit on butter and real milk
we have mighty little meat We
never go to a show. We barely keep
the kidlets In school and Sunday
school. You may have to give VI
your furs and diamonds, Rose" He
laughed a little. but the woman die
MOTT was not her way. She wal
waiting for some word of practical
comfort. And she did not say that
Mrs. Jones, brisk and overdressed
for her station, had descended upor
her for cali that afternoon. Elvit
had a new pink dancing dress and
young Peters was going to take hel
to a dance the next night.
After the children had duly chat
tered. and had been washed and put
to bed, husband and wife returned tc
the kitchen. which was also dining
and living room. She cleared up the
table, aud while she washed the
dishes Sam poured over his account
book. his brow in a scowl, his pipt
unlighted. He was going to give VI
tobacco. He was glad Rose did no
know he took his dinner bucket away
and ate by himself. sensitive abou
the plainness of his fare The othel
men must think him grouch-still
others ate alone; they might not have
noticed. Jim Farney. for Instance
he was glad he was not Jim, who hat
five children. one cripple. and half
sick wife whose housekeeping. eveI
when she was well, was scandal
Well. ends had to meet someway.
Tuesday dawned bleak, and passe'
into night, still bleak and cherries
Sam was again late-for again h
walked home The little ones. warne'
by their mother. we're silent on tn
turkey subject. and were put earl,
to bed.
But on the day before Christmas
husband and wife had a little tall
planning carefully for the little feas1
Both knew that the grocer's bill mus
; be met; that the week after came
payment on the house. They coul
not afford debts. and therefore no e,
tras. Besides. there was the matte
of the shoes and the winter undel