The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-05-21
50 90 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.

paid four shilings for the grog.
Walter started for home about O'Clock,
and on the way, he was overtaken By Niles.
Walter said the latter, in kind but
earnest tone, q want to speak with you
You have wronged me this evening, and I
wish you to understand me. For the opin-
ions Of Bill Smith and Ned Francis, care
not, but do not wish you to misaprrehend
me. We live too near together, and would
not lose your good opinion
sWell-go ahead,' returned Walter, who
was sensible of the fact that his companion
was one Of the best and kindest neighbors
in the world.
'You said was mean.'
'No, no ; twas not who said that
We'll, you said was tight as the bark
of tree.'
Walter could not deny this, so John then
proceeded
Il refused to join you in your little game
for three reasons, either one of which should
have been sufficient to deter me first, had
Resolved not to engage in any such games Of
hazard; second, did not want any grog;
and third, could not have afforded to pay
for Eve extra suppers il the lot had fansn
upon me-
Couldn't have afforded its' repeated
W ditcI WIN VI ohbN''SA :" A'Ao
. tone.
'No,' returned the other, 81 could not.
used to be ALWAYS ready for any such game,
and thought 'twould be mean to refuse
but have learned better. Let me tell you
how first came to see the folly Of not being
afraid to spend my money for nothing
Shall tell yout'
Cert ainly,' returned Walter, who already
began to see something.
'Well,' pursued Niles, 'one noon as was
going away from home, my wife asked me
for five shilings. She wanted to buy some
cloth with it. asked her if she could get
along without it. had only fifteen shil-
lings with me, and hated to let one of them
90. She said she really needed it, but If
hadn't got the money to spare, she could
wait. l knew she was disappointed, but
thought she could get along, and Invent
away.
That evening went into the saloon, and
we had a fine social time. 1t cost me just
seven and sxpence. paid the money
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. even thought of objec-
tion-and then | went home. When | en-
tered the hall | heard nv wife trying to-
pacify our eldest child. The little thing
had expected new dress, which had been
promised her, and she felt bad because she
had not got it.
sWait,' urged my wife, as the child sobbed
in her disappointment. Papa hasn't got
the money now but he'll have some by-and
by. and then you shall have pretty dress.
Poor papa has to work hard
'The words smote me to the heart. could
afford any amount for the useless entertain
ment Of others The crown which my
needy wife could not get when she asked
for it, paid away almost twice-told for
for nothing. But it taught me lesson.
opened nv eyes, and have kept them
open. On the very next morning offered
my wife the crown, but could not afford
any more for the beer-man. | had not
dreamed how much was wasting; but
when l stopped up that leak, and allowed
my funds to flow into their proper channel,
soon found that | could afford every rea-
sonable comfort my wife and children
needed. So stick to the principle which
has proved so beneficial to my self and family.
All. what's that? there's an animal in your
garden Walter
They had reached the garden fence, and
bv the dim starlight. Walter could see q
horrid beast trampling amongs his sweet
corn. The bars had been either left down
or hooked down, and 4 stray COW had got
in. They drove her out. and then Niles
went home. Walter saw that the beast had
done considerable damage, but he was not
angry, for he had something OF more I'M
portance to think Of. He went and sat
! down beneath an apple-tree, and pondered.
/ Bless me, if he hasn't put the case down
about squarer he SAID to himself at the end
of some minutes of meditation. Let me
see,' he pursued: There's five shillings
| for spirit-four- nd-two-pence for ale
four and two pence for soda. And that's
within the last three days. Thirteen and
! four pence. Is it possible? over twenty
! FIVE pounds year. And yet can't afford
ten shillngs for gate, nor guinea that
my family may receive religious instruction
for year! Walter Gray-I think you had
better turn orer ner icGt'
And Walter Gray did turn over a new
| leaf. On the very next day he did two
! things. thereby astonishing two parties. He
/ had new gate made for the entrance to the
garden, and thereby astonished his wife;
and he refused to 'toss up for the ale and
! thereby astonished a crowd of exprctant
thirsty ones. For month he pursued this
course, and BY the expiration Of that time
he could finally appreciate the new blessings
that were dawning uron him. lie discov-
cred that he could afford everything which
/ the comfort of his family demanded: and
! in arriving at this result, he had only to re-
/ linQuish those things which he really could
not afford. 1t was a wonder TO him how he
could have been so foolish. When at the
end of the year, he had paid his note, and
had twenty pounds left, he felt at first as
though there must be some mistake; but
| when his wife went over their household e4-
penditure with him, and showed him that
Il lslz l,>J l,5l bad md
paid for, he saw Just how it was. He saw
that for wears he had been wasting his sub
/ stance. and deprived him self and loved ones
of the comforts they nccdcd-not inten-
| tlonalv. but through the same mistake that
leads thousands in the same course. But he
did so no more.
Sometimes, even now, Walter Gray says
Cant afford it, and SAYS it vers emphat-
icallv, too. But it is not when his vile and
children ask for comfort and JOY. nor yet
when the needy ask for help and charity
for he can well afford all that: but it is
when the wild SPECTATOR. or the loose COM
panion ask him to engage in some game of
hazard viii, h may rob himself and family
of their substance. Then he says-and he
repeats it, if need be-'CAN'T AFFORD IT.
cY' a country paper once said-E. b.
Doolittle is fn the habit Of stealing pigs and
robbing hen roosts. If he does not desist,
are shall publish his ndme.' This is equal
to the minister at a camp meeting, who said
If the lady with the blue hat, red hair and
cross eyes doesen't stop talking, she will be
pointed out to the congregation
Cyan honest farmer was invited to at
tend party at village squire's ono
evening, when there was music, both vocal
and Instrumental. On the following
morning he met one of the guests, who
said
SWELL, farmer, how did you enjoy yourself
last night? Were not the quurtettes excel
lent?'
'Why, really, sir, can't say said he.
'for did not taste 'em :. but the pork chops
were the best ever ate.'