Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-10-15
CANT AFFORD IT."
A SKETCH OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

But you might if you would only think
so, Walter plead tho young wife.
81 can't do it, the husband returned. very
cmphatically. at would cost two OF three
dollars, at the very lowest, TO put up such a
gate, and the old bars will answer every
purpose
"No, they won't. Walter. The neighbors'
children very often leave the bars down, and
then stray cattle come into the garden. We
may lose moro than the price Of gate in
one hour, if COW should happen to get
in when am away
81 should like to know who leaves the bars
down, said Walter. very threatcningly-
The same children might leave a gate open ~
But we can have gate made to close Of
its own accord, with a weight or spring,
suggested the wife. John Niles has had
gate put up in his yard
"lut amt John Niles. my dear" Walter
wished his wife to remember
But his family is as largo as yours. and
his wages are not so high.
Never mind about that tell you can't
afford it,--at any rate, not at present And
with this Walter started of for his work.
Walter Gray was young man. about thir-
ty; an Industrious mechanic had been mar
ricd some eight years and had an interesting
family lie meant to provide we'll for those
who depended upon him. and in measure he
did 50. But there were many little comforts
of which he felt obliged TO deprive thcm.-
comforts which at times they really needed.
and which, in the end. might have proved a
source Of saving And more. too it might
have added to his own happiness had he felt
able to grant these little requests. But he
couldn't afford it:-at least. so he thought ;
and whether be thought so with sound judg-
ment the sequel viii show
The gate which his wife had been so anx-
ious to have put up was needed at the en-
trance TO the garden back Of the house, where
there was only a pair Of short bars The
children often came through there, and some
times left the way open behind them. In
short, there were many ways in which those
bars were apt to be left down, and Maria
Gray bad very often to leave her work to-
drive out cattle that got in. 1t was only by
extreme watchiulness ON her part that the
garden was preserved She had spoken sew
cral time to her husband about it, but he felt
that he couldn't afford it. She must keep
her eyes upon the spot, and see that the bars
were kept shut.
Only a few days after this Mrs Gray asked
her husband if he was going to hire pew in
the church for the following year, and he told
her that he did not think he should.
But you can hire half of one. We can
have half of Mr.. Nies's pew for five dollars. -
i can't afford it,, was Walters reply. 4
should get no great good from the meetings,
any way.
Don't say so, husband. Suppose every
body should feel like that. You certainly
wouldn't wish to live, and bring up your
children, where there was no religious in
huence. And if you reap the benefits OF
good christian institutions, you certainly
ought to feel willing to help support them "
so would be willing, if | could afford it,
but can't
Mrs. Gray looked very serious, and seemed
to hesitate, as though there were a subject
upon her mind, which she felt delicate about
broaching but it had occupied her thoughts
too long. and she determined to let it out.
Walter she said. little trcmulous, but
still resolutoly, you have ten dollars week. >
'Ncs
And now much of that docs it take to feed
us =
Il don't know, I'm sure. | only know that
it takes it all to feed and clothe us and pay
up the interest ON the house
i havn't had a new dress since last Fall F;
and was reckoning up Yesterday how much
we had spent for the childen aud found il
to be only fifteen dollars for the last ten
months. ] have worked over some of cousin
Johns clothes for Charles aud Lucinda idmps
into Marys dresses as the latter outgrows
them
That's all very well, replied Walter, lit
tie testify. i understand my own business,
and know just what can afford, and what
can't. While | have the payments to make
on my house must economizeJ must econ
omize,' he repeated, very decidedly.
And | would have you economize, return
ed the wife but do not forget that all is not
economy which many call So think that
to hire half of John Nless pew would be
great source Of economy in comfort and last
ing good. 1t would be five dollars laid out
to good advantage--suro to return heavy
interest TO us and our children. And ! think
it might be source of great saving to put
good gate up at the back
Stop interrupted Walter, with nervous
motion You've said enough about this.
know my means
Let me say one word, urged Maria. There
~ra, au voruvstuvss ia her tune winch caused
her husband to stop and listen. If you will
give me five dollars week | will agree to
furnish all the provisions for the household,
and clothe myself and children. will do
this for one year. That will leave you three
hundred and sixty dollars with which to clothe
yourself and make your payment 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 torty-eght dol
lars for your clothes and--other erpcHscs.
Walter was upon the point of denying this
result Of the case. but he saw, upon mo-
monts reflection, that, from his wife's state
ment, the deduction was correct, so he denied
the statement
You cannot furnish the food, and elotho
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 hid
den within the mysteries of her own house
keeping. She was snot lcng in proving to
him that, during the past year, the items of
expenditure within said limits had not ave-
ragged five dollars per week Walter said
Pooh = and then he added-'Nonsense : and
then he left the house.
There must be some mistake, he said to
himself, after he had got away from the house,
and he really beloved there was a mistake.