The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-11-25

Johns cloths for Charles, and Lucind
jumps into Mary's dresses as the latte
outgrows them"
"That's all very well" replied Wal
ter, little testify. "I understand m,
own business, and / know just what
can afford, and what / can not. Will,
l have the payments, to make on m,
own house / must economize-I mas
eco,aomize," he repeatedvery decidedly
80" And | would have you economize,
returned the wife; {" but do not forge
that all is not economy which man,
call so. l think that to hire half O
John Niles pew would be a grea
source of economy in comfort and last
ing good. 1t would be five dollar
laid out to good advantage-sure to re
turn heavy interest to us and on
children. And / think it might be
source of great saving to put a good
gate up at the"
"Stop !" interrupted Walter, with :
nervous motion. 81 know my means
Let me say one word," urged Ma
ria. There was an earnestness in hel
tone which caused her husband to
stop and listen. eff you will give me
FIVE dollars a week / will do this fol
one year. That will leave you three
hundred and sixty dollars with which
to clothe yourself and make your pay.
ment on the house. On the house you
have only to pay hundred dollars,
with interest for two years, which will
leave you a hundred and forty-eight
dollars for your clothes and-other ex-
penses."
Walter was upon the point of de-
nying this result of the case, but he saw
upon moments reflection, that from
his wife's statement, the deduction was
correct, so he denied the statement.
"You cannot furnish the food and
clothe yourself and children, for the sum
you have named" he said.
Thereupon Maria sat down and
made known few facts to him, that
had been hidden within the mysteries
of her own housekeeping. She was
not long in proving to him that during
the past year, the items of expenditure
within said limits had not averaged
five dollars per week. Walter said
" Pooh !" and then added "Nonsense!"
and left the house.
"There must be some mistake" he
said to himself, after he had got away
from the house, and he really believed
there was mistake.
"Have glass of soda, Bill? Come
Tom, have a glass?''
Don't care if l do," said Tom and
Bill.
" Have some, Ned?"
And Ned said yes. So the clerk
prepared four glasses of soda, for
which Walter Gray paid 25 cents.
"Let's have game of seven up
for the OYSTERS" said Bill, after the
days work was done.
The game was played and Walter
lost, so he paid dollar for four oyster
suppers---suppers which none of them
needed, and which did them more hurt
than good.
slave a cigar, Waltcr?" asked Tom.
Walter said yes and in return he paid
for four glasses of ale.
One evening they met after work,
and Ned proposed that they should
g toss up" to see who should pay for
he chowder.
"Come John, won't you come in?"
ne said, addressing John Niles who
stood by.
"No, guess not" was Johns reply.
You'd better; it's only for the
,howder for five, if you come in.
81 can't"
It's of no use to ask him." spoke
w alter in rather sarcastic tone. sHe
loes not spend his money in that way"
Johns face flushed and his lips
rembled; but he retained the bitter
words which were struggling upon his
ongue, and turned and left the shop.
He's mean fellow" cried Tom,
oud enough for Niles to hear.
"Tight as the bark of tree" added
Walter, in a tone equally loud.
John Niles heard the remarks but he
lid not come back.
The four remaining men "tossed up"
md the lot fell upon Walter and To I
Then they tossed it off, and it fell upon
Walter, who paid four shillings for the
howder. G
Walter started for home about nine
'clock, aud on the way he was overta-
en- by Niles.
Walter" said the latter, in a kind
ut earnest tone, " l want to speak
nth you. You have wronged me this
yening, and 1 wish you to understand
lie. For the opinions of Bill Smith
nd Ned Francis, / care not, but / do
OF wish you to misapprehend me. We
We too near together and / would not
se your good opinion" n
" Well, go ahead,'' returned Walter,
ho was sensible of the fact, that his
was one of the best and
ndest neighbors in the world.
I" You said / was mean.n |
I" No, no; twas not l who said that.n
I" Well, you said / was tight as the
srk of n tree" II
Walter could not deny this, and John
'oceeded. 80 80 !
f" | refused to join you in your little I
lme for three reasons, either one of :
hich should have been sufficient to :
ster me. First: / have resolved not
engage in any such games of hazard. {
econd: l did not want any chowder. !
nd third: / could not have afforded !