The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-09-13

Various efforts were made TO reduce their
weekly expenses down to a minimum standard Of
eighi dollars. Someiim es it would seem 10 fall be
low that, but again it would swell beyond it in
spite o. every effort AT the expiration Of the fourth
month from the time the sofa was bought,
they had managed by the closest economy to lay
up twenty dollars. About this time, returning
from a visit to friend, Mrs. Foster, who too
fond of contrasting her condition with that of
others, said
Il am really almost ashamed to go out, some
times, Henry. I've never had silk dress since
we were married. But other women can have
them. There is Mrs. Jones,who called in to night
where we were visiting, had beautiful black silk,
and so had Mrs Maxwell and their husbands are
only mechanics, and earn no more than you do.
Mrs. Hamilton has two silk dresses,a light and IA
dark one, and has besides a beautiful cashmere
shaw and lace collars, and don't know what all
And havn't got any thing. think you might
get me one silk dress in ycur life
| But how in The world am to get it for you,
! IIannah without money
| We've twenty dollars laid up, you know
! yes, know but | need not tell you, that that
is to go towards paying for the sofa and the mon
ely will be due in two months
| I'm two months oh I'VE can easily save enough
! in that time to pay for the sofa. Four dollars a
week will be thirty-two dollars. | only want
twelve for the Dress and that will leave eight out
! of twenty we have now and eight added 10 thirty
two will make forty, If you pay him forty, pune
tunlly, you needn't tear but that he will wait will
| ingly enough for the other five week two.
| But we havnt saved four doIlarsa week, Han
nah
! YES but can do it, and mast do it,
! Cant you yop wait little while longer, Han
nah You have dune without eik dress for a
good many years, and surely, you might get along
still, until other things paid for
| But Mrs Foster could not listen to the voice OF
reason. Other people had silk dresses, and she
! felt 'mean, she expressed whenever she went
out any where Twelve dollars were, therefore,
expended for black dress, and two more to get it
made This REDUCED the saved fund of twenty dol
lars down to the of six dollars.
| Week after week now passed rapidly, and in
spite of every effort TO save money, the wages of
Mr.. Foster melted away like in the warm
sun hight Finally, the time came ths sofa must
| be paid for, and there only thirty dollars
! made up. But ten OF this had TO 60 for a
months rent which fell due at the Same time
Twenty, then were all that Mr.. Foster could raise
and he price of the sofa, forty five dollars.
J Really, Hannah, don't know what shall do
about this cannot bear the thought Of not pay
ing Mr.. Bruce for his sofa on the day that the
money is due.
But wouldn't trouble myself about it, Henry
II you cant you can and Mr. Bruce will have to
do other people do
'Ilow is thst?
'yVhy wait for his money until you can give it
to him He'll no doubt be glad Of twenty dollars
down and trust YOU for the balance
'He has trusted already SIX months and now his
money is due according 10 contact
well, it's to trouble yourself about it
PAY him twenty dollars, and give him the four
dollars a week that we save. This will pay him
| off,
'But we don't save four dollars week
YES but though, and we must.
| Il am sure, Hannah
| But am. Other people who get.no more than
we live comfortably, and buy great many
nice things and there is no why we may
| not do the same.
| This a silencing argument. Still it was to
! Henry Foster profound mysteryhow Mr.. Hami-
ton and Others could make an appearance far be-
yonn his own, aud yet receive no higher wages
With Il keen Of shame and reluctance,h e pro
ceeded to the shop of AIR. Bruce On the day the
money for the sofa was que, ana mus accOslSu tue
cab met maker
Il regret exceedingly, Mr.. Bruce, that canp't
pay you all the meney that is due for the sofa that
| [ bought six months ago--I have only twenty now
but you shall have the rest in few weeks
| Il regret also, MIR. Foster the cabinet maker re-
I plied-Efor / have note to pay Tomorrow, and
calculated on you as certainly if | had the mon
! ely in my own hands But, we must only do the
hest we can. You will have 10 give me your note
at thirty days for the balance, upon which have
! no doubt that can raise the money
| This was SO reasonable proposition that Mr.
Foster could object to it, and accordingly gave
his note for twenty five dollars at the time propos
ed His arrangement brought temporary relief OF
mind. Four weeks, however, soon rolled fround
| and notwiths landing the proposed economy Ten
dollars only had been saved and the sum would
ba dine fur rem, in n few DAYS. The landlord was
! unnctuaI and Foster had not the heart to tell HIM
he mus, wait. His bill was accordingly paid
Three days after the note gwen to Bruce Tell due,
Ill "