Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-07-22
GLOVES AND CIGARS.

Il must really have pair Of gloves, James,
said Mrs Morris to her husband, as they sat to-
gether after tea.
Mr. Morris had been reading the morning
paper, but he laid it down and looked Grossly
up.
Really he said, you seem to me to waste
more money OH gloves than any woman ever
knew. 1t was only last week that gave you
money to buy new pair"
The wife colored and was about to answer
tartly, Tor she felt that her husband had no
cause for his crossness, but remembering that
a soft answer turncth away wrath, she said: -
Surely you have forgotten, James. 1t was
more than month since bought my last pair
of gloves; have been out great deal, as you
know in that time
'Humph! and having pronounced these
Words Mr.. Morris took up the paper again.
For several minutes there was silence. The
wife continued her sewing, and the husband
read sulkly on; at last as if sensible that ne
had been unnecessarily harsh, he ventured to
remark by way of indifferent apology.
business is very dull, jane he said, 'and
sometimes do not know where to look for
money. lam hardly making my expenses
The wife looked up with tears in her eyes.
Il am sure, James, she said, that try to be
as economical us possible. went without a
new silk dress this winter, because the one l
got last spring would answer, thought; by
having new body made to it. My old bon
net, too, was retrimmcd And as to gloves,
you know you are very particular about my
having gloves always nice, and scold me If
appear in the street with a shabby pair on.
Mr.. Morris knew all this to be true, and felt
still more ashamed of his conduct, however
like most men, he was too proud to confess his
own error, except indirectly.
lie took out his pocket book, and said
Glow much will satisfy you for a year, not
for gloves only, but for all the other little ct
cetcras? will make YOU an allowance, ord
then you need not ask me for dollar whenev-
er you want pair Of gloves, or handker-
chief
The wces eyes danced with delight She
thought for 4 moment and then said:
Il will undertake, on fifty dollars, to find my
selfin all these things
Mr. Morris dropped the newspaper as if it
had been red hot, and stared at his wife.
Il believe he said. you women think we
men are made Of money. don't spend fifty
dollars in handkerchicts and gloves in half a
dozen years
Mrs. Morris made no reply for full minute,
for she was determined to keep her temper
But the quickness with which her needle moved
showed that she had some difficulty to be ami
able. At last she said: But how much do
you spend for your cigars!'
This was home thrust, for MIR. Morris was
an inveterate smoker, and consumed twice as
much on that needless luxury as the sum his
wife asked. He picked up the paper, and made
no reply.
4 don't wish you to give up smoking, since
YOU like it so much she said. 'But surely, a
cigar is no more necessary to gentleman than
arc gloves and handkerchiefs to lady, and if
you expend hundred dollars in one, don't
see why you should complain ofmy wishing fif:
ty dollars for another
'Pshawp said the husband, finally; | don't
spend hundred dollars in cigars. 1t can't be. ,
'You bring home quarter box every three
weeks and each box, you say, costs about six
dollars, which, at the end Of the year, makes a
total of one hundred and four dollars
Mr.. Morris fidgetel on his seat His wife
was aware of her advantage, and, smiling to
herself, pursued it.
Ifyou had counted up, as have, every dol
lar you have given me for gloves, handkerchiets,
shoes, and ribbons, during year, you would
find it amounted to full fifty dollars; and if you
had kept statement of what your cigars cost
you, YOU would see that | am correct in my
estimates as to them
a hundred dollars it can't be- said the
husband, determined not to be convinced.
Let US make bargain replied tho wife.
put into my hands Il hundred dollars to buy
cigars for you, and fifty to purchase gloves
and ct ceteras for me. promise faithfully to
administer both accounts, with this stipulation,
that at the end Of year, am to retain all that