Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-31

DECEIT OF DEyL!N
~ FRANK CONDOR.


tCopyrisht)
The marriage OF Mr.. Lawrence Dew
lin to Miss Ernestine Childs occurred
promptly at eight O'Clock In the eve
ming at st. Bartholomew's church, and
a small number OF close friends attend
ed the pleasing ceremony.
The usual remarks were made by
the clergyman, and the still more usu'
al ones by the spectators. after which
the newly joined pair went happily
away.
At eight o'clock in the morning OF
the same day. young Mr. Devlin was
what the newspapers would term "A
prominent young millionaire" mean
ing that he possessed large quantities
Of money.
When Wall street and the banks
c,osed in midafternoon. Mr.. Devlin
was worth. approximately. the cost
. of the suit Of clothes he wore, A
trust company had sunk with all hands
on board, carrying with it the Devlin
fortune.
In the cab which carried them from
the church, Lawrence looked sadly and
thoughtfully at his beaming bride. She
knew nothing OF the financial crash,
His friends knew nothing. To all out
ward appearances he was still the
prominent young millionaire"
Dearest" Lawrence said. taking his
brides hand tenderly In his own. I'VE
are going to be very happy. are we
not?"
Yes. Lawrence" replied Ernestine,
pressing his hand.
And to contribute to our supreme
happiness: to provide for US an 'un.
usual and unique experience. I have
thought out a plan in which I am sure
you will concur. We have been accus.
toned to the good things Of life; to
Injuries In every form; to servants,
automobiles. theaters. and all the
thousand little extravagances that
make life easy. But we have never
had an opportunity to try the other
sort OF life-the life exactly opposed
to our own-the life Of the poor. What
would be q finer thing than to pre-.
tend we were very poor; to live as
the poor live; to deny ourselves the
things to which we have been accus.
tomed?'
Il am sure it would be delightful"
his bride responded.
I'VE could take a small fiat In the
poor part Of New York." Lawrence
continued. his enthusiasm growing.
I'VE could pretend we had scarcely
any money. buy plain but good food,
do our own Homework, and study the
lives Of those poverty-stricken PEG
pie"
Lawrence DEAR" said Ernestine. 81
will gladly go any place you go. ]
win do anything you do. and share
your life, no matter what happens"
Then 1t is agreed" her husband
said.
With that decision as q broad foun.
dalton, there arose far in the eastern
portion Of the city a small fiat. An
installment furniture company filled
IT with the usual "hundred-dollar set
at ten dollars down and two a month.
Each morning the beautiful young
bride. arose and prepared a frugal
meal. With her own fair hands she
washed the dishes. busted thu imita'
tion oak furniture. and scrubbed the
floor. Lawrence sometimes helped
her. Coming home, he carried wood
up the four flights and deposited 1t by
the stove
At nine O'Clock Lawrence would &c
out and buy ten cents worth Of cheese
and q box Of crackers and a pint OF
beer. They would then feast together,
laughing over the absurdity Of the
whole thing. Lawrence had said:
my dear girl. much as l dislike to
be away from your side for even a
brief moment, there are certain
weighty financial matters requiring
my presence downtown. Tomorrow
shall have to be downtown very early.
Shall We have breakfast at severn"
my love-" Ernestine answered
fondly, q" will prepare your breakfast
at six II you wish it."
So Mr.. Deylin left the fiat at half
past seven in the morning and spent
the day looking for a job. He clipped
a column from the morning newspa-
per and hunted tirelessly. In the eve.
ming he appeared for supper.
You look drawn and weary. dear
one" said his bride.
I'VE had It hard today" said Law.
renee. The market was panicky.
They've been trying to shoot holes In
my railroad. but I refused to let 'em
What have we to eat?"
'Tripe. Lawrence. dear" replied
Ernestine.
Promptly every morning Is the
whistles blew. young Mr.. Devlin hur-
ried away from the east side fat to
guard his mythical millions. Prompt
Iy at six each night he returned. Err
nestIne was trying to run the fat on
seven dollars a week. and was delight
ed with her success.
The scene changes.
At noon Ernestine hung the dish
,cATnR KILLED al PERSONS