Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1900 — A FABLE OF SOCIETY. [ARTICLE]

A FABLE OF SOCIETY.

feeizig Bather Hard on the Woman Who Had Aepirations. A plain and sensible husband and father, who was making a modest livelihood in the retail dry goods business, had a wife who was ambitious to shine in society. She was quite well aware that her husband’s means' were not of sufficient magnitude to permit an extraordinary dazzle in that glittering galaxy of gaiety, glamour and gentility, but she banked on the matrimonial alliance of at least one of her two beautiful daughters w'ith an aged millionaire who was ready at any moment to marry any pretty girl who would accept him. Naturally enough, It was not to be expected that any young and pretty girl could love any old thing like he was; but then he was so rich that love might well be asked to take a back seat. Now, the husband of this ambitious lady and the father of the two beautiful daughters was foolish enough to think that love mixed with matrimony better than money did, and he was averse to the machinations of his wife to dispose of either of the daughters to the millionaire at a price. One day the lady, In no pleasant humor, spoke to her husband on the subject of his opposition. “I should think,” she said, "that you would have some ambition for your daughters. You have never been able to furnish them with the means their beauty, accomplishments and position demand, and now, when I am doing my utmost to do a parent’s part by at least one of them, you must oppose my efforts and seek to thwart my purpose. I should think you would show some sign of appreciation of the attention and honor paid us by the wealthy gentleman whom I so highly respect” “Forgive me, my dear,” responded the husband, contritely. “When the gentleman comes thia evening I will obey you and show some sign of appreciation," Upon this the wife was greatly molUfled, and the husband went down town to his store, returning In the evening a little later than usual, but quite cheerful. At half-past 8 o’clock the wealthy gentleman called, and shortly after the lady bad gone in to meet him her husband followed her, bearing In bls hands an artistically painted card fully a yard square. “It is the sign I promised for the gentleman,” he said, handing it to his wife, and she read upon It in large letters, "Please Call On Us Before Purchasing Elsewhere.” ~ Thereupon the lady fell into a state of madness, from which she has scarcely yet recovered, and the husband la taking his meals down town and sleeping In bls store.