The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-25
The Wife's InHu nee.

neatly furnished sitting room, with all the
appliances Of comfort. The fatiguing bu-
slness of the day was all over, and he sat
enjoying what he had all day been antici-
pating-thc delights of his own fircside.
Ills pretty wife, Esther, took her work and
sat down 10y the table.
at is pleasant to have home Of ones
own," he again said, taking satisfactory
survey of his own little quarters. The
cold rain beat against the windows, and he
though he felt really grateful for all his pres
cut comforts.
"Now, five only had piano !" excIairn-
cd the wife.
"Give inc the music of your own sweet
voice before all the pianos in creation" lie
declared complimentary, though feeling
secret disappointment that his wifes thank
fulness did not cline with his own.
"Wcll, but we want one for our friends, !"
said Esther.
"Let our friends come 10 sec us. and
not to hear piano y exclaimed the lus-
band.
"But, George, everybody has piano
nowadays we don't go anywhere with.
out seeing piano." persisted the wife.
"And yet l don't know what we want
one for. You will find no time to play on
one, and don't want to hear it,"
''They are SO fashionable think our
room looks nearly naked without one."
Il think it looks just right"
81 think it looks very naked we want
a piano shockingly," protested Esther en-
phatcally.
The husband rocked violently.
'Nour lamp smokes, my DEAR" said lie,
alter long pause.
"When are you going to get an astral
lamp have told you a dozen times
how much VIC needed onc," said Esther
pettishv.
'Tllosc are very pretty lamps I never
can see Ivy an astral lamp" said her hus-
band.
"But, George, DO not think our room
is complete without an astral lamp" cx-
clamad Extraordinarily. "rhey are SO fash
ionablc WHY, tie Morgans, Millcrs, and
many others might mention, all have
them. 1 am sure we ought"
The husband moved uncasily in his
chair.
1--WE want to live within our means,
Esther"
ave are, no doubt, thought to be mean. !"
"Mean !! | am not mean ~ ho cried ALL
grilv.
"Tlcn we tlo not wish to appear So"
sail the wife. "'ro complete this room, and
make it look like other peoples, we want
piano, and astral lamp"
We've want p muttcred the husband
there's no satisfying Il won,ans wants,
do what you may - and l,c abruptly left
tl,diroom. How many l,,lsbaSsls are in a
Similar dilemma How many husbands
have been and arc rendered uncomfortable
by the dissatisfaction Of II wife with present
comforts and provisions 2 How many
brighEr for business have ended in
bankruptcy and ruin, in order to satisfy
this kankering after fashionable neccssa-
ries +? Could the real cause of failures be
known, it would be found to result from
useless expenditure at home, expressly to
answer tho demands Of fashion, and 'wlat
will people think %
my wife has made my fortune" said
gentleman of great profession, "by her
thrift, prudence, and cheerfulnesf, when I
was just beginning"
"Mine lost my fortune" answered his
companion, "by useless extravaganza and
repining when was doing we'll"
What a field does this open to ~the in
fucnco which n wife possesses over the fu.
turc prosperity Of her family Let tue
wife know her influence, and try to use It
wise and we'll.
Be satisfied to commence on small
scale. 1t is too common for young house
keepers to begin where their mothers end
ed. Buy all that is necessary to work
skillfully with adorn your house with all
that will render it comfortable. Do not
look at rich homes, and covct their costly
furniture. If secret dissatisfaction is ready
to spring up;go step further, and visit the
homes of the poor and suffering: behold
the dark, cherries apartment, insufficient
clothing and absence Of all comforts and
refinemcnts Of social life, and then return
to your own with joyful spirits. You will
then be prepared to meet your husband
with grateful heart, and be ready to ap-
prcciatc the toll and selfdcnial which he
has endured in the business world, to sur
round you with tho delights of home and
you will be ready to cooperate with him
chccrfuly arranging your expenses, that his
mind may not be harassed with fears lest
his family expenditures may encroach up
on punctual payment, BE independent.
A young housekeeper never needed more
moral courage than she does not to resist
the arrogance of fashion. Do not let the
families Of A. and b. decide what You must
have, neither let them hold the strings of
your purse. You know the best what you
can and ought to afford. Then decide
with strict integrity according to your
means. Lot not the censure or approval
of the world over tempt you to buy what
you can do withost. No matter what peo-
pie think, proved you are truc to yourself
and family.
March MAKINa.-The following has
been communicated to tho editor of the
Canebrake Herald, with n fequest that ho
send it to the drawer" of Harperis Maga-