The Argosy — page 250: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Five Thousand a Year. 231 “ They must be a profitable source of wealth when they are judiciously managed,” remarked Mrs. Grainger. ““Ma’am ! the profits are too vast to be estimated. One’s mind gets lost in the contemplation. My embarkation in these mines I look upon as the one fortunate step in my life.” Mr. Grainger was beginning to think it might be the one fortunate step of his. He had been bitten with the mania of speculation, and the disorder was taking rapid hold of him. He had said to his wife that he felt induced to embark his spare cash in the Great Trebeddon scheme, and he forthwith hastened to do so. It was not much: and well had it been for Mr. Grainger had he embarked nothing more. But he lent his name, he lent his energies, and he lent his mind. He held his lucrative appointment in one of our first-class insurance offices, which his father had held before him. Huis salary was already 41,000 per annum, and it was a progressing one. Surely enough to satisfy the moderate wishes of a reasonable man ! | Still, a few more weeks went by. One evening, upon coming in, Mr. Grainger found his wife had only then entered, for he met the carriage driving from the door. He began to scold. ‘* Margaret, this is too late for you to be out. Recollect you are not strong yet.” . “Tt is late for me, Adam, I know, but I was well wrapped up, and the carriage was closed. The truth is, I have been shopping. I wanted a dress for the christening.” “What christening ! ” ‘“* Baby’s. He is five months old: quite time he was christened.” Parent it done ?” “Done! Why, Adam, I think Mr. Little and his mines have put other things out of your head! He was only baptised.” “T knew it was something of the sort. But—about your going shoppmg. It was very imprudent, Margaret. I would have chosen your dress.” “You!” laughed Mrs. Grainger. ‘‘ You don’t know silk from woollen ; stripes from checks.” “Dont I! Only try me.” “Twill. I will try you now. I could not decide in the shop, so they put two or three in the carriage for me to choose from here. ‘There are the parcels, if you will open them.” | He didso. And displayed three silk dresses. “What is that?—a fourth!” exclaimed Mrs. Grainger, detecting another parcel. ‘‘ Oh, it is that handsome one. I told them not to send that. Sly traders! they thought to tempt me, did they! Is it not beautiful, Adam ? ” “Very. Much better than the others. Why don’t you fix upon it Pd ? CoOnniclooolkks (©) mM