Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1911 — THE NEST EGG. [ARTICLE]

THE NEST EGG.

By Stuart B. Stone.

As soon as the moufflfttemy, roseleaved honeymoon was over, Mr. Atleroury Drought home one of those miniature lighthouse banks in which the coins are piled slowly up the red, iron tower until the top is reached, when the precious contents are taken to the big, grilled, sure-enough bank upon the corner. “Here goes for a nest egg, dear,” he remarked, dropping in a. 50-cent piece. “To provide tor the rainy’ day which I hope may never come.” Mrs. Atterbury nodded. “I suppose we ought to economize,” she agreed, with a sigh. “I was intending to buy the new novel by the author of ’The ■ ink Princess,’ but I’ll put the dollareight in the bank instead.” Thai, was the beginning of the Atterbury’s rainy-day nest egg. The : olio wing day Mr. Atterbury purchased throe 5-cent cigars instead of the lu-ceut Havanas he had been aecus...•.ued to and deposited the 15 cents ihus saved in the bank of the red iron tower. Mrs. Atterbury, not to be outdone, deprived herseu of the violet cologne* water she had wanted, and put 75 cents in the, lighthouse ti easary. By the end of the week the toy .milk contained $3.16. Then Atterbury looked up at his wife and remarked, with some he3i.uiion: 'lf w e could, let Bridget go, dear, we’d soon have the banx iuu. Mrs. Atterbury demurred, but was <iuaily won over, and they placed the first week’s savings into the greedy red tower. Mrs. Atterbury, in the enthusiasm that resulted, resolved to do without the spring chicken they had planned for dinner, and 75 cents was placed in the red treasury tower. The next week Atterbury, after sitting silent for half an hour, pointed out the handsome sum mat could be saved monthly by taking a cheaper apartment. "I think this is going a littl etoo far, dear,” Mrs. Atterbury frowned; but in the end the voracious red lower triumphed; and Mrs. Atterbury renounced the projected visit to the grand opera. It was necessary to take the red tower to the big bank next day. The filling of the red iron tower became a commanding passion with the Atterburys. Time after time it was filled and taken to big bank on the corner. Sacrifice after sacrifice was made. Atterbury walked to the office, gave up smoking, bought jshoddy clothes, cut off the donations to the pastor, shaved himself. Mrs. Atterbury did the family washing, made fancy work to be sold at absurdly low prices, ceased to visit the folks in the distant home, and worried her beautiful complexion into orowsfeet and wrinkles. As the voracious red tower filled and refilled, the Atterburys became sullen and recriminating. "If you would stop buying those foolish chocolate creams,” fretted Mr. Atterbury, “we could save an occasional nickel.” “If you would stop taking that old evening paper, we could put 50 cents a month in the bank," retored Mrs. Atterbury. In the end they each made the sacrifice suggested. At last, after many a weary year, came the day that the greedy lighthouse tower had accumulated *3,000 for them. As a special concession to the occasion, Mrs. Atterbury ordered a generous Sunday dinner, the first they had had for many a year. Under its warming influence they both relaxed and became almost gay. “It’s a fine nest egg,” said Mr. Atterbury, rearing back in his chair, “but it has cost many a good time in the making.” Mrs. Atterbury sighed. “It’s a pretty stack of money, but the years have been dull.” “It’s the first decent dinner we’ve* had in an age," persisted Mr. Atterbury. “Let’s have another tomorrow,” suggested Mrs. Atterbury. “And then we’ll go to the opera,” continued Mr. Atterbury, "the first, time In three years.” “I’ll order some flowers,” volunteered Mrs. Atterbury, “loads of them.” The end of the whole matter was

the Atterburys sent out the following week for a four-month tour of England, Scotland, France, Italy, Egypt and the Holy Lapd. When they returned the nest egg was scattered from Land’s End to the River Jordan. But the Atterburys w r ere very, very happy, for they had made up the years that the greedy, red bank had stolen. Refeka Hanoum, the first woman to join the Young Turk party in its fight for government reform, is the daughter of Kiamll Pasha of Constantinople. Whefa she was 18 she announced to her father that she did not wish to get married, as she intended tb devote her life to uplifting the women of ner race. Her father allowed uer to follow her bent and she became a teacher in the girls’ school at Stamboul. VThere is some ill fee*.ng In Texas because Governor Campbell vetoed the liberal mining bill passed by the legislature. Men who want to prospect for minerals on the public lands of Texas now have to pay |25 an acre for the privilege, and as much of the land is absolutely worthless the gam bl els considered too great Calling oards at the Republican.