The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-23
Making Both Ends Meet

thing for him than give him good common
school education, which was was in itself I
/ fortune. As boy be had gone into store
and worked his way along by slow degrees, I'll
at the opening of our story he had salary o
six hundred dollars year, as salesman.
Three years before, he had made the acquain
tance of Isabel Walker, and from that time Z
new hope animated him. He thought of the
future and the delights of home, his own home
with Isabel for his wife, occupied the fore
ground of his picture of the future. He had
an idea of domestic bliss, which he meant tc
realize, and with this intent he saved up por.
ton of bis salary every year. SO that when he
was ready to get married, he had $500 to &c
to housekeeping with.
Isabel Walker was an orphan, with nothing
to depend on but her own earnings She had
received tolerable education, and early ex-
hibiting remarkable talent for music, some
kind friends had assisted her to cultivate it,
and now she earned a very handsome salary
as a teacher of music. She was a very pretty
girl, and her amiable character and pleasant
manners rendered her general faVorlte, even
in the circles of wealth and fashion.
Richard and Isabel were married, and taking
half of good house at rent of one hundred
and fifty dollars, they went to housekeeping in
preference to boarding. Richards accumula'
ted fund enabled him to furnish his rooms very
pretty, though not very elegantly or fashiona-
bly,; but Isabel was satisfied, was delighted with
her new situation.
For year they were as happy and content,
ed as they could be, nor sighed for any of the
uxuries o" vanites which Richards small
salary did not enable him to buy. At the be
ginning of the new year, the young husband's
employers voluntarily raised his salary to seven
hundred dollars year.
"Now, Isabel, you shall have piano" said
Richard after he had announced the gratifying
intelligence
"Oh, no, Richard; we cannot afford to keep
a piano." Isabel demonstrated
Il think we can; knew firm that will trust
me for one-will give me six months credit.
"But Richard, you cannot pay for one in six
months"
a can pay part of it, and they will wait
longer for the rest / can pay hundred dol
lars, at least towards it,"
II fear not. Why look at our account book
Our expenses for the first year we have been
housekeeping are little more than six hundred
dollars. If you had not had some money, we
would have been in debt. This seven hundred
dollars will Just enable US to live as we have
lived, nothing more"
"There are great many extra expenses the
first year. 1t will be much better to pay for ii
than run in debt for it,
debt is a great bugbear to you, Isabel, y
added Richard smiling.
Il hope it will always be. | would much
rather do without the piano than to run in debt
for it,"
This was excellent philosophy on the part oil
Mrs. Lane, and it would have been wisdom in
her husband to have adopted it.
Don't you want piano, Isabel?' he asked
somewhat astonished at her earnestness.
ooh, very much! | have often thought how
pleasantly | should pass away my leisure hours
when you are away, if | only had piano. Blu
really Richard, never thought of such thing
as having one. / can do without very well
and beg you will not run in debt for one"
l'Just as thought. | know one so fond o
music as you are, must need a piano, very
much, and you shall have one, Isabel" anc
the devoted husband kissed her tenderly, fol
he was very fond and very proud of her.
II will not consent Richard. | am afraid i
you run in debt some terrible thing will hap
pen"
"You must not be frightened by bugbear
| have one hundred dollars left. l can buy {
good one for three hundred dollars, so | shall
owe but two hundred, which am sure l car
pay within one year Nay, my dear, you mus
consent; for it will make me SO happy to fee
that you have no unsatisfed want"
"On one condition, l will consent" said
Isabel, glancing archIy at him.
"What is it?7'
"That you will let me sing in church"
81 am to proud to let you do that"
You must not be so proud. The society
has offered NE a hundred dollars a year.
could pay so much towards the piano"
Il am able to support you, Isabel, and
don't want you to earn your own living"
Isabel pleaded earnestly and the husband
offered a great many objections; but at last h'
consented. The piano was purchased, ant
Isabel knew no unsatlsfed want.
The piano, it cannot be denied, was grea
luxury in the house of Richard Lane. It be
guiled their evening hours and added much t
! their happiness, for while the wife was mis-
tress of the musical art the husband was pas
/ sionately fond of the divine harmony. Sh
sang and played, and Richard was proude
than ever of the fair being, who had cast he
lot with his.
'If the instrument should suddenly be de
stroyed, l should think that{ have not pal
too dearly for the JOY we have purchased sal
Richard, as he kissed his wife one evening, a
the close of their musical entertainment.
"Perhaps not, if it were not for the a~ft
idea of beng in debt" replied Isabel. g
sometimes think that it is not paid for, while
am playing, and | always lose note when
do.'
"Do not be alarmed, my dear; it shall b
paid for in good time"
The first quarter of the year passed ava,
and never were three months more heaYil
laden with bliss; but to Isabel, who kept tt
household accounts they brought an hour {
reflection. Instead of being dimished, the
expenses had increased New luxuries ha
crept into the house. New wants had bee
discovered and supplied. When she had foote
up the column Of figures, she found the amour
exceeded the fourth Of her husbands salar.
She was alarmed, and when Richard cam
home that night, she called his attention to IL
appalling fact. But he only laughed al he
They had paid the wood ard coal bill on Il
, first of January, and this had been included
sL