The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-12-15

Come, John. won't you come in ?
he said, addressing John Niles.
No-think not was Johns reply.
You'd better. It's only for the gros
for FIVE, if you come in
Il can't ~
It's Of no use to ask him. spoke
Walter in rather sarcastic tone. He
don't spend his money in that way
Johns face flushed, and his lips trem.
bled; but be restrained the biting words
which were struggling. 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 a 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 up
on Waller, who paid four shilings fol
the grog.
Walter started for home about nine
O'Clock. and OH the way he was overtak
en- by Niles.
Walter said the latter, in kind, but
earnest tone, 1 want to speak with you.
You have wronged me this evening. For
the opinion of Bill Smith or Ned Francis
| care not, but do not wish you to mis-
apprehend me. We live too near togeth
er, and l would not lose your good opin
ion.
Well-go ahead returned Walter,
who was sensible Of the fact that his
companion was one of the best and kind
est neighbors in the world.
You said was mean
No, no twas not | who said that
We'll, you said l was tight as the
bark on a tree =
Walter could not deny this, so John
proceeded
: | refused to join You in your little
game for three reasons, either one OF
which should have been sufficient to de-
ter me first, l had resolved not to en-
gage in any such games of hazard sec.
ond, l did not want any grog and third,
| could not have afforded to pay for five
extra suppers, if the lot had fallen upon
me-
Couldn't have afforded it p repeated
Walter, with slight tinge of unbeliefi in
his tone.
No. returned the other l could
not. | used to be always ready for any
such game, and l thought 'twould be
mean to refuse but l learned better.
Let me tell you how l FIRST came TO see
the folly of being afraid to spend my
money for nothing. Shall 1 tell you p
Certainly returned Walter, who al,
ready began to see something.
We'll. pursued Niles, one noon, as
was going away from home. my wife ask.
ed me for FIVE shilllngs. She wanted to
buy some cloth with it. l asked her il
she could not get along without it. l
had only fifteen shillings with me. and l
hated to let one of them go. She said
she really needed The cloth, but if
hadn't got the money to spare she could
wait. knew she was disappointed, but
| thought she could get along, and went
away. That evening l went into sa-
loon. and we had fine social time. 1t
cost me just seven -and six pence. paid
the money willingly-wilhout even the
thought of an objeclion-and then went
home. When l entered the hall l heard
my wife trying to pacify ourcldest child.
The little thing had expected new dress.
which had been promised her, and now
she felt very 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
The words smote ME to the heart. ]
could not afford five shillings to dress my
little child, but could afford any amoun,
for the useless entertainment Of others
The crown which my needy wife could
not get when she asked for it, paid
away, almost twice fold. for nothing
But it taught me a lesson. / opened my
eyes and have kept them open. On the
very next morning, l afforded my wife
the crown. but l could not afford any
more for the beer man. had not dream
ed how much l was wasting /; but when
| stopped up that leak, and allowed my
funds TO flow in their proper channel,
COO, found .b.t could oG.n,J n,n,,, 80,