The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-05-21
"CAN'T AFFORD IT"
sCan,t afford it, Marie,o

ry emphntIcalIy. 1t would cost ten OF
twelve shillings, at the very lowest, to put
up such a gate and the old bars will answer
every purpose -, =.
No, they won't Walter. The neighbor's
children very often leave the bars down and
then stray cattle come into the garden. We
NAV loose more than the price of gate and
in one hour, if COW should happen to get
in when am away
Il should like to know who leaves the
bars down. said Walter, very threateningly.
'The same children might leave gate
open.'
sBut we can have q gate made to close CT
its own accord, with weight or a spring,
suggested the wife. John Niles has had
one put up in his yard
'But ain't 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
sNever mind about that. l tell you
can't afford it--at any rate, not at present.,
And with this Walter started off for his
work.
Walte Gray was a young man, about
thirty, an Industrious mechanic, and had
been married some eight years; and had an
Interesting family. He meant to provide
well for those who depended upon him, and
in a measure he did so. But there were
many little comforts of which he felt obli
gated to deprive them-comforts at which
times they really needed, and which, in the
end, might have proved a source of saving.
And more, to: it might have added to his
own happiness had he felt able to grant these
little requests. but be thought, and wheth-
er he thought so with sound judgment, the
sequel will prove.
The gate which his wife had been so anx,
ious to have put up was needed at the en-
trance to the garden back of the house,
where there was only pair OF short bars.
The children often came through there, and
sometimes left the gate 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 watchfulness on her part
that the garden was preserved. She had
spoken several times to her husband about
it. but he felt that he couldn't afford it.
She must keep her eyes upon the spot, and
see that the bars We're kept shut.
Only few days after this, Mrs. Gray
asked her husband if he was goingto hire
a pew in the church for the following year,
and he told her that he did not think he
shpuld.
sBut YOU can hire half of one. We should
get no great good from the services 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
where there was no religious lnfu-
ence. And if you reap the benefits of good
Christian institutions, you certainly ught to
feel willing to help to support them.
so would be willing, if could afford
it but can't'. :.
Mrs. Gray looked very serious, and SEEM
ed to hesitate, as though there were a sub
jcct upon her mind, which she felt delicate
about broaching; but it had occupied her
thoughts too long, and she determined to
let it ont.
'Waltcr,' she said, a little tremulously,
but still rcsoluteiy. you have two pounds q
week.
sYes.'
sAnd how much of that does it take to
feed US?
& don't know, I'm sure. only know
that it takes all to feed and clothe US, and
pay up the interest on the house,
Il haven't had new dress since last au
tumn: and was reckoning up yesterday
how much we had spent for the children,
found it to be only three pounds for the
last ten months. have worked over some
Of cousin Johns clothes for Charles, and
Lucinda jumps into Mary's dresses as the
latter outgrows Them
That's all very well,' replied Walter, n
little testify. 81 understand my own busi-
ness, and know just what can afford, and
what can't. While have got payments
to make on my house must economise-I
must econowise,' he repeated, very deci-
ucdlv.
and | would have you economise,' re-
turned the wife but do not forget that all
is not economy which many call so. | think
that to hire half of John Miles, pew would
be guinea laid out to good advantage, sure
to return a heavy interest to US and to our
children. And think it might be a source
of great saving, to put good gate up at
the back'-
'Stopr interrupted Walter, with a ner-
v0us motion. you've said enough h about
this. | know my means.
'Lct Inc say one word,' urged Maria
There was an earnestness in her tone which
caused her husband TO stop and listen. 'lf
You will agree to give me a guinea week.
will agree to furnish all the provisions for
the household, and clothe myself and chill
dren. | will do this for one year. That
will leave you seventy pounds with which to
clothe yourself and make your payment on
the house. On the house you have only TO
pay twenty pounds, with interest for two
years, which will leave you twenty-nine
pounds for your clothes and-other erpen-
Ses.'
Walter was upon the point Of denying this
result OF the case, but he saw, upon mo-
ment's reflection, that, from his wfe's state
mcnt, the deduction was correct, so he de-
MED the statement.
'You cannot furnish food and clothe your
self and children, for the sum you have nam
ed,' he said.
Thereupon Maria sat down and made
known few facts to him tina: had been hid
den within the mysteries Of her own house
keeping. She was not long in proving to
him that, during the past year, the items OF
expenditure within said limits had not aver
aged a guinea per week. Walter said pooh!
and then added: Nonsense and then he
left the house.
'There must be some mistake he said to
himself, after he had got away from the
house and he really believed there was
mistake.
EIave glass of soda, Bill i? Come, Ton
have glass;
Don't care if do said Tom and Bill.
'Have some, Ned?'
And Ned said 'Yes.' 50 the clerk prepar.
ed four glasses of soda, for which W Waltel
Gray paid two sAillings.
Let's have game of 'seven-up' for tht
OYSTERS said Bill, after the days work wa.
done.
The game was played, and Walter lost, sc
he paid five shillings for four oysters sup.
pers-- suppers which none of them needed
and which did them more hurt than good.
'IIave n cigar, WaIter?' asked Tom.
Walter said yes, and in return paid fol
four glasses Of ale.
One evening they met, after work, anG
Ned proposed that they should 'tos up te
see who should pay for the grog.
'Come, John-won't you come - he sale
addressing John Niles, who stood by.
'No-thnk nct,' was Johns reply.
you'd better. It's only for the grog-