The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-08-17
Can't Afford It.

onhiIhgS ~ tne very IoWest, 10 put up Hucn
q gate, and the old bars will answer every
purpose"
"No, they won't, Walter. The neigh
bors' children very often leave the bars down,
and then stray cattle come into the garden.
We may lose more than the price of gate
in one hour, If COW should happen to get
in when | am away"
al should like to know who leaves the
bars down." said Walter very threatening.
ly. "The same children might leave q gate
OPEN"
"But we can have q gate made to close OF
its own accord, with a weight or spring."
suggested the wife. "John Niles has got
gate put up in his yard"
"But mint John Niles. my DEAR" Walter
wished his wife to remember.
"But his family is as large 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 off to his work. il.
Walter Gray wns a young man, about
thirty; an industrious mechanic; had been
married some eight years; and had an inter-
estng family. He meant to provide we'll
for those who depended upon him, and in a
measure he did so. But there were many
little comforts of which he felt obliged to
deprive them-comforts which at any time
they really needed, and which, in the end,
might have proved source of saving. And
more, too; it might have added to his own
happiness had he felt able to grant these lit
tie requests. But he couldn't sfTord it; at
leost so he thought, ard whether he though,
so with sound judgment the sequel will
prove.
The gate which his wife had been so unx.
ious to have put Up was needed at the en-
trance to the garden back of the house,
where there was only psir of short bars.
The children often came through there, and
sometimes 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 had very often to leave her work
to drive out cattle that had got in. 1t was
only by extreme watch'uIness on her part
that the garden was preserved She had
spoken several times to her husband about
it. but he ieIt nut he couldn't afford it. She
must keep her eyes on the spot, and see that
the bars were kept shut.
Only few days alter 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 a one. We can
have half of Mr.. Nile pew for guinea"
Il can't afford it," was Wulter's reply
81 should get no great good from the servi
ces 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 nfu
ence. And if you reap the benefits of goot
Christian institutions, you certainly ough, tc
feel willing to help to support them."
$50 would be willing, if could nffort
! it; but I can't"
Mrs. Gray iooke very serious, and seem
= ed to hesitate, as though there was subjec
upon her mind, which she felt delicate abou
broaching; but it had occupi ed her thoughts
too long, and she determined to let it out.
"Waler," she said little TREMENDOUSLY
but still resoIutely, "you have two pounds
|! week."
"Yes."
"And how much of that does II take t
feed us I"
al don't know, I'm sure. I only know
that it takes all to feed and clothe US, an
pay up the interest on the house,"
II haven't had a new dress since last au
tumn; and | was reckoning up yesterda
how much we had spent for the children
and found it to be only three pounds for tn
last ten months. have worked over som
Of cousin Johns clothes for Charles, an
Lucinda jumps into Mary's dresses as tn
latter outgrows them"
"That's all very WE'LL" replied Walter,
little testify. ~ understand my own bus
ness and know just what can afford, an
y what can't. While have the payments
to make on my house must economize-
, must economies" he repeated very decdedy
"And I would have you economize," rt
turned the wife; shut do not forget that
is not economy which many call so. thin
to hire half of John Niles pew would be
great source of economy in comfort an
= lasting good. 1t would be guinea laid OF
It to good advantage-sure to return heav
;, interest to US and our children. And thin
= it might be source of great saving, to pr
n a good gate up at the back"
# "stop!" interrupted Walter. with a mel
ID vous motion. "You'ye said enough abou
o this. l know my MEANS"
9 "Let me say one word" urged Mafia.-
g There was an earnestness in her tone whic
II caused her husband to stop and listen. 81
j. You will give me guinea week, I wi
A agree to furnish ell the provisions for th
:. household.1 and clothe myself and children
% I will do this for one year. That will lesv