Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-09-16

The months went by, as months in
varlably do. The end of June was
only week away and Jimmy and
Elsie became more engrossed in each
other every day. Mary Hogan felt JUS
titled In catching a phrase of their
conversation now and then, for she
wanted to know just what day the
wedding was going to take place. She
eventually heard the date. Ii was TO
fbe June 1S-a week away. That night.
III her little room, Mary Hogan count
ed the silver in a little metal box.
Jimmy's dimes for 100 days and Mr..
Barker's quarters for 90 days came
to the neat sum of $3.50 Mary
smiled to herself in anticipation of
the surprise that she would see on
the faces of the young pair.
On June 81 two days before the
big event. Mary took the little metal
box to the restaurant with her. When
Jimmy and Elsie came in they greet
ed her more pleasantly than ever
When Mr.. Barker came in he was
gruffer than ever. Mary herself was
almost happier than ever Jimmy and
Elsie finished their flnch sooner than
Mr.. Barker.
Just as Jimmy reached for his straw
hat Mary placed the little box in front
of him.
"Open It," she said to Jimmy.
what is it's it for me?" asked
Jimmy puzzled.
NO" said Mary. with a trace of
Ibrogue, tits for both of you. Open
It" Jimmy lifted the lid. In the box
he and Elsie saw dimes and quarters,
several handfuls of them.
What on earth is thisr asked
Jimmy.
Read the paper and see" answered
Mary.
There was little folded piece of
paper on top of the coins. Jimmy
opened the note and read:
Dear Jimmy and Elsie. l knew
back in February that you were going
to be married In June. And 1t takes
money TO be married. SO I've saved
all the dimes you left me as tips and
all the quarters that old crouch across
the way left me. He only left tips
so he'd get quicker service; anyway.
''In this box are the dimes and quar-
ters-$3250 | want to give them to
You both as a little wedding gift in
return for the nice way you speak to
me when you come in every day. Good
luck to you both--and my blessing
Very sincerely, MARY HOGAN"
Jimmy and Elsie could hardly
speak their gratitude, but each man
aged to mutter something AS the
three of them stood there the gruff Mr.
Barker looked at them with beetled
Fbrows as though resenting their JOY.
With a final handshalle Jimmy and
Elsie said good-hy TO Mary for a
week. Mary made it very clear that
only the presence of the other lunch
ers prevented her from kissing them
both. AS she looked after the happy
lovers she said. quietly, to herself;
For there's nothing half so sweet in
life.
AS loves young dream"
whats that?" said the gruff Mr..
Barker
81 was asking you If you cared for
any dessert today replied Mary.
"No-none today" barkad Mr..
Barker
Mary smiled She was keenly enjoy |
ing Mr. Barker's ignorance of the fact |
that all his quarters since the middle |
of February S2250 Of them--hsd just |
been carried out by Jimmy Dale.
When Jimmy got back to the office |
he had chance to count the money.
He discovered an error in Mary's &C
counting, for instead of $3.50 the sum
was S35. He had ten minutes left |
of his lunch hour, and he hurried over
10 the Mayflower Mary was wiping |
off the marble top Of table when |
Jimmy spied her.
Miss Hogan there was S35 in that
box. instead of $3.50"
"Sure / know it." said Mary, smiling.
1.-THE extra $3.50 is a little something |
from me. It'll buy something's
only bit of lingerie for your bride
to-be"
"By George, you're brick" said
Jimmy.
mo" answered Mary Hogan. mo,
I'm only a girl who almost got mar
ried herself-once."