Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-07-01
Wives and their Influence.

"But thought" said my uncle Pc
ter rather gruffiy, "that you cared moth
ing about the fashions. I'm sure I've
heard you say So. . r
"Well, but husband" replied my
aunt Patty, with her characteristic good
sense, "you know that people firle pas
the meridian of life have really more
need 10 determine which is more becom-
ing in color and form, than those upon
whose cheeks the rose has OF began to
fade. Now Iinsist upon il, you shall
tell me which suits my appearance best
this black velvet bonnet, or the gray
satin hat!'' @ gss G4 So,
Uncle Peter gave convulsise twitch
al the corner OF his mouth, and inquired,
(which cost the most Z"
THAT is nothing here nos. there; |
want your opinion independent OF the
thought of COST And the two bon
nets were duly twirled round and round.
''Take the gray one," replied the hus-
bands 81 suppose the velvet would make
you look older-well, il is funny
enough continued he, "that should
select the cheapest and surely thought
II would cost more;" and the ten dol
lars came out as freely as if he were in
vesting it at two per cent month.
But uncle Peters outside coat was
shabby. ut will never do" remarked
my aunt, 'to see me Haunting oIt with
my gray satin bonnet, while you wear
the worn out sack. And your hat, too,
is terribly defaced--so if you have some
pride about my appearance, be assured,
husband, 4 am NOT Indifferent TO yours"
and she playfully twisted and rolled the
bank note round her fingers.
"Never was there truer saying"
remarked uncle Peter. sihan, that one
want begets many; suppose the true
philosophy is to repress the first want;
I've been thinkiug," pursued he. "tha,
this sack might be turned, and NY hat
ironed over, and both of them make a
very respectable appearance"
Very true, husband; but. then you
know, Of rainy days and evenings, you
have great use for second suit; ii would
be a saving to have both these done, and
purchase the others likewise. Let me
put little OF my philosophy in practice.
II II is sin to be prodigal, it is
equally so to be penurious. have
been thinking over the extent of our
means--nobody TO share it but Robert,
and ne is already in the way TO become
a rich man, and it does seem to be sin.
ful for us to omit from ourselves all that
comfort for what few luxpries may
cost. really. Yesterday, had serious
day oil II, in pondering over the subject
OF extra insereat;" bat aunt Ralty satl tx bal hadd
sa7-s sheI,- -ray1irg Eiesf hand on her hns
bands shoulder in palnng way. "yon.
Mf. ufout. ought 10 know about these
subjects better than do. When Allen
y Go. made that pressing demand for a
lew thousand TO save them from failure,
did so hope you would loan the amount
at common interest, that bit my lips
when you pronounced one and half per
month. | know you would not be an
extortioner. husband, but sometimes
common customs blinds US to clear per-
cePtlons OF right; don't you think SO 9
she lovingly inquired.
Uncle Peter was church member
meant to keep a conscience void Of Of
fense, but his wife had it right; he grew
blinded.
81 was thinking ,oo," said the wife,
''about your lifting tlat mortgage from
the widow Rice's farm; it seems TO me
| would not charge her an extra fee for
my iime-you know she has large
family, sndis very mbi!ious woman"
Uncle Peter was mum. He ratified
his newspaper. aud when he nex, spoke.
asked aunt Patty '.to guess who was the
candidate for Mayor p He then pleas
ansly shrugged up his shoulders, and
made his way TO the Insurance Office
The friendly monilions of his wife were
In no great danger of being repeated
here-but more commonly was it whis
pered, "Major, here's capital chance
Tor realizing extra nterest--anything
over If SO, with good security, you can |
invest to double your money" The
same remark was made the Identical |
morning after aunt Patty's soliIoquy.
for we have not given to the world all
she said. Evidently there was stir.
ing up OF the Majors conscience. He |
shook his head and remarked, 81 will |
think Of it,
That day Major Grout returned home
with new wrapper and new hat, and /
Tor ought know, a renewed conscience;
for when the firm offered the extra in. |
'erest, the Major simply remarked, "Six
per cent will suffice; keep what you e1 !
pecied to pay over for rainy day
The widow Rice, too, came in person |
to thank Mr.. Grout for his great kind
ness and Consideration in her case
with tears in her eyes she hoped God |
would reward him, and such expressions
Of gratitude were rarely heard
Aunt Patty did not glory over her
success as some weak women would. t
ana say ii was all done at nay sugges-
lion. and tantalize him so that he would
regret he ever yielded to her wishes;
but it was secret pleasure to her TO
witness the sway she maintained over
her husbands daily actions. Besides
she was his second ,cfs, aud this always.
puts woman Of principle in delicate
position, particularly as regards the chill
irsn by previous marriage. There
was but one in this case, and aunt Patty