The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-04-30
From Life illustrated
How to Earn a Home,

- >""s "" c"'"eu w 'ul-ol-uOuT wOrk.
Fhe fact is, I'm clerk in downtown
store, a. salary Of 5000 per annun, and a
pretty wife and baby to support out Of it.
suppose this income will sound a,naz.
'hgly small to your two and three thousand
dollar officehoIdcrs, but nevertheless we
contrive to live very comfortable upon it.
We live on one floor Of an unpretendins
little house, for which we pay $3.50 per an
nun, and kitty-my wife, you'll under
stand-docs all her own work; SO that we
lay up neat little sum every year I've col,
balance of two Of three hundred dollars
at the savings bank, the board Of several
years, and it is astonishing how ricl, feel
Why, Eo,l,schild himself isn't circum-
stance to me!
Well, came home with my extra bill,
and showed it triumphan,y to Kitty, who
Of course was delighted witt, my industry
and thrift.
Now, my love- said I, Just add this to
our account at the bank, aud with interest
at the end Of the year.
Forthwith commenced casting interest
and calculating in my brain. Kitty was
silent, and rocked the cradle musingIy with
her foot.
I've been thinking, Harry she said, af.
ter moments pause, that since you've got
this extra money we might afford to buy u
new rug. This is getting dreadful shabby,
my dear, YOU must scc.'
looked dolcfulIy at the rug; il was worn
and shabby enough, that was fact.
4 can get a beautiful new velvet pattern
Tor seven dollars, resumed my wife.
"eIvet-seven dollars groancd I.
We'll, then, common tufted Jug like
this would oIny cost three said my eau
t'ous tetterl'alf who, seeing she couldn't car.
fy her first ambitious point, wisely with.
drew her guns.
'Ihats more sensible said 1. We'll,
we'll see about it,
And there's another thing want CON
t'nued my wife, putting her hand coaxinyy
ON my shoulder, 'and it's not at all ex,raya. .
giant, either
what is itf I asked, softcning rapidly.
I saw such lovely silk dress. pattern on
Canal street, this morning, and can get it
for six dollars-only six dollars, Harry! It's
the cheapest thing ever saw
But haven't you got a very pretty green
silk dress?'
That old thing! Why, Harry, I've worn
1t ever since we've been married.
is it soiled, or raegeds'
No, OF course; but who warts to wear
tue same green dress forever? Everybody
knows it is tho only silk have
We'll, what tLen!'
That's just mau's question: pountcd
Kitty. "And suppose YOU have not Oh.
served how old fashioned my bonnet is get
ting!
why, thought it looked very neat and
tasteful since you put on that black velvet
winter trimming
or course-you men have no taste in
such matters
We were silent for a moment: Tn afraiJ
we both felt little Cross and out of humor
with ono another. In fact, on my Journey
home, had entertained serious thoughts of
exchanging my old silver watch for more
modern time.piece Of gold, and had mental
'y appropriated the $40 to furtheriny that
purpose. Savings-bank reflections had
come later.
AS we sat before our fire, each wrapped
IN thought, onr neighbor, Mr.. Wilmot,
knocked at the door. lie was employed at
the same store as myself, and his wife was
an old family friend.
want you to congratulate me- he said
taking seat. 4 have purchased that little
cottage out on the Bloomington road TO-
day.
what! that beautiful little wooden COT
tage with the piazza and lawn, and fruit gar =.
den behind 2 exclaimed Kitty, almost en-.
viousIy.
is 1t possible 2 l cried. A little cottage
home ofmy own, just like that had often
admired on the Bloomingdae road, had al
ways been the one crowning ambition Of my
llfe-a distant and almost hopeless point,
but no less earnestly desired.
why, Wilmot,' said !, how did tLis hap.
pena You've only been in business eight
or ten years longer than I, at salary but
tr'fie larger than mine, yet could rs
soon buy up the mint as purcl,ase cottage
like that
WELL said my neighbor, we have all
been working 70 ts.his 'eSfsa for years. My
wife has darned, patched, mended, and saw .
V.au