Page:Dodge Daskam--Fables for the fair.djvu/19



HERE was once a Woman whose Husband Depended on the State of the Market for his Daily Toast. One Day he Appeared before Her with a Sad Countenance.

"All is Over, my Dear," said he. "Wheat is 'Way Down, and I Doubt if after To-morrow we shall have More than Ten Thousand a Year to Live On. I am Sorry that I Married you to Drag you Down to This, but I must Tell you Sooner or Later. I am a Ruined Man."

"Nay, do not Lose Heart," said his Wife. "Can you not Speculate Further?"

"I Cannot," he replied, "for I have Lost my Nerve. My Friends Urge me to Throw what I Have into Copper, but I Dare Not. Five Thousand a Year 9