SHORT STORIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2180, 23 September 1920, Page 4

SHORT STORIES.

Two country women were talking on the everlasting topics of the cost of living and the rise in prices. After a while, the conversation turned on the subject of thrift.

“D’ye see that jiur.se?” demanded one of them, with a triumphant air. “It’s the one I bought when 1 was married, twenty years ago, and it’s as good as new yet.” “That’s nothing!” sneered her friend. “You know my husband, John?” “Of course I do. What about him?”

“Well, he's my first husband, and you’ve had three. Don’t yon prcacli thrift to me!”

The wife of a certain English politician tells of an amusing experience she once had while canvassing in the suburbs. Expecting to be sent tot ho poorer district, she wore a neat navy blue costume and a simple morning hat. The agent, however, had arranged otherwise, and when she arrived at the committee rooms lie gave her the “villas.” ‘ . At (lie first house she visited she overheard (he maid-of-all-work reply to the whispered question of the lady of the house, “What dues she waul?” “I don’t know, ma’am, but she looks lilve sewing machines.” A. certain rector went lo see a. parishioner. She was a charming old dame, one of (he chief characters of the village, and the rector looked admiringly at her. In spite of her ninety odd years, her calm face showed no sign of worry or anxiety. “My dear lady," he asked, slowly, “what has been (he main source of your vitality and sustenance duringall those years of your earthly pilgrimage? What has appealed to yon as the chief basis of the wonderful vigour of your mind and body, and has been to you an unfailing help through (rials and sorrows? Please tell me, that 1 may forward it on to others.” The old dame pondered a moment. The rector thought that ho would find here a good subject for a, sermon. Site raised her eyes, dim with yearsp yet bright with sweet memories, and answered shortly, “Victuals.”