The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-03-23
ASHLAND ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO WEDNESDAY MORN

tage-sure to return heavy interest to us ant
our children. And 1 think it might be i
source of great saving to put good gate up a
the back"
/ eeStop p1 interrupted Walter, with a nervou
motion. "You've said enough about this
know my means"
s.Let me say one werd," urged Maria
There was an earnestness in her tone which
caused her husband to stop and listen. 81
you will give me five dollars a week will agree
to furnish all the provisions for the household
and clothe myself and children. 1 will do thi
for one year. That will leave you two 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 hundred and forty-eight dollars for youl
clothes and-othe7 erpenses."
! Walter was on the point of denying this re-
suit of the case, but he saw, upon moments
reflection, that, from his Yife's statement, the
deduction was correct, so he denied the state
ment
"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 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 p' and then he ad-
ded-"Nonsense l' and then he left the house.
''There must be some mistake" he said to
himself, after he got away from the house and
he really believed there was mistake.
"Have glass of soda, Bill? Come, Tom
have glass Y'
ftDon't care if do said Tom and Bill.
"Have some, Ned 2"
And Ned said, yes. So the clerk prepared
foar glasses of soda, for which Walter Gray
paid twenty-five cents.
sLet's have a 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 oysters suppers-suppers
which none of them needed, and which did
them more hurt than good.
"Have a cigar Walter?" asked Tom.
Walter said, yes; and in return he paid for
FOUR glasses of ale. .f
One evening they met after work, and Ned
proposed that they should ''toss up" to see
who should pay for the chowder.
"Come, John-won't you come in ?'' he said,
addressing John Niles, who stood by.
'No-guess not" was Johns reply.
"Y6u'd better. It's only for the chowder-
for five if you come in"
'I can't
otis of no use to ask him." spoke Walter,
in a rather sarcastic tone. "He don't spend
his money in that way
John 5 face Hushed, and his lips trembled;
but he restrained the biting words upon his
tongue, and turned and left the shop.
"He's a mean fellow" cried Tom, loud
enough for Niles to hear.
''Tight as the bark of tree, added Walter,
in tone equally loud.
John Niles heard the remarks, but he did
not come back. -
The four remaining men, 'tossed up" and
the lot fell upon Walter and Tom. Then they
''tossed it off," and it fell upon Walter, who
paid four shilings for the chowder
Walter started for home about nine o'clock,
and on the way he overtaken by Niles
''Walter,' said the latter, in a kind, but
earnest tone, "I want to speak with you. You
have wronged me this evening, and wish you
to understand me. For the opinions of Bill
Smith and Ned Francis-I care not, but l do
not wish you to misapprehend me. We live
too near together, and would not lose your
good opinion
esWell-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"
s'No' no,-'twas not who said that
"Well-you said l was tight as the bark of
tree"
Walter could not deny this, so John pro-
eeeded:
'I refused to join you in your little game
for three reasons, either one of which should
have been sufficient to deter me.
First: L have resolved not to engage in any
such games OF hazard. Second: l did not
want any chowder And, third could not
have afforded to pay for FIVE extra suppers, if
the lot had fallen upon me-"
seCouldnt have afforded it p repeated Wal |
ter, with slight tinge of unbelief in his tone,
'sNo,'' returned the other. s'I could not
used to be on hand always for any such game,
and 1 thought 'twould be mean to refuse, but
[ have learned better. Let me tell you how |
first came to see the folly of being afraid to
spend my money for nothing. Shall 1 tell
youY"
"Certainly," returned Walter, who already
1egan 10 Seg S0Hter7trHy. -
"Well," pursued Niles, cone noon, as 1 was
going away from home, my wife asked for
dollar She wanted it to buy some cloth with |
asked her if she could not get along without
it. [ had only three dollars with me, and L
hated to let one of them go. She said she
really needed the cloth, but if l hadn't the
money to spare she could wait. knew she was
but thought she could get along,
and / went away, That evening went into
the saloon, and we had a fine social time 1t
cost me Just one dollar and half. 1 paid the
money ywillingly-without even thought of OBJ
iection-and then 1 went home. When / en-
tered the hall 1 heard my wife trying to pacify
our oldest child. The little thing had expected
a new dress, which had been promised her, and
she felt badly because she had not got it.
"'Wait,' 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
1.-THE words smote me to the heart. could
not afford dollar to dress my little child, but
1 could afford any amount for the useless enter
tainment of Others! The dollar which my
needy wife could not get when she asked for
it, / paid away almost twice-told for nothing.
But it learned me lesson. / opened my eyes,
and have kept them open. On the very next
morning I afforded my wife the dollar, but 1
could not afford any more for the beer man..
I had not dreamed how much l was wasting,
L fI,oH loal- oo1 oIo