The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-03-31

IVY ell, you SAID was tight as the bark
of tree!'" ...... -r.
Walter could not deny this, so John pro-
ceeded-
81 refused to- join you in your little game
for three reasons, either one sf which should
have been sufficient to deter me: first, I had
resolved not to engage in any such games of
hazard; second, did not want any grog;
and third, I could not have afforded to pay
for five extra suppers, if the lot had fallen
upon me-"
"Couldn't have afforded it?' repeated Wal
ter with a slight tfnge of unbelief sin his
tone.
"Oh," returned the other, "T could not
I used to be always ready for any such
game, and thought twould be mean to re-
fuse; but have learned better. Let me tell
you how first came to see the folly OF being
afraid to spend my money for nothi lg. Shall
tell YOUR ." ..'. or"
Certainly" returned Walter, who already
began to see something.
"Wen," pursued Niles, zone noon, as I
was going away from home, my wife asked
me for five shillings. She wanted to buy
some cloth with it. asked her if she could
not get along without it. I had only fifteen
shtllings with me, and hated to let one of
them go. She said she really needed the
cloth, but if l hadn't got the money to spare
she could wait. knew she was disappoint-
ed, but thought she could get along, and I
went away. That evening went into the
saloon, and we had fine social time. 1t
cost me just seven-and-sixpence. paid the
money willingly-without even thought of
objection-and then went home. When I
entered the hall heard my wife trying to pa
city our eldest child. The little thing had
expected a new DIR ss, which had been prom
ised her, and she felt badly becaus. she had
not got it." """.
"'Wait,' urged my wife, as the child sob
bed in her disappointment. Papa hasn't
got the money now; but hen 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.
couldn't afford five shillings to dress my little
child, but could affbrd any amount for tho
useless entertainment Of 9th rs The crown
which my needy wife could not get when she
asked for it, paid away, almost twice-told,
for nothing. But it taught me a lesson.
opened my eyes, and kept them open. On
the very next morning I afforded my wife
the crown, but | could not afford any more
for the beerman. | had not dreamed how
much was wasting; but when I stopped up
that leak, and allowed my funds to flow into
their proper channel, soon found that
conld afford every reasonable comfort my
wife and children needed. So stick to the
principle which has proved 50 beneficial to
myself and family. All. what's that! Ther,
is an animal in your garlen, Walter"
They hal reached the garden fence, and,
by the din starlight, Walter could see
horned beast trampling among his sweet
corn. The bars had been either left down,
or broken down and stray cow had got in.
They drove her out and then Niles went
home. Walter saw that the beast had done
considerable damage, bat he US not angry,
for he had something of more importance to
think of. He went and sat down beneath
an apple-tree, and pondered.
"Bless me, ifhe hasn't put the case down
about square!" he said to himself, at the end
of some minutes of meditation. "Let me
see,," he pursued: There's five shillings for
spirit-four-and-two pence for ale-four-and-
two pence for soda. And that's within the
last three days. Thirteen-an1-fourpence!-
Is it possible? Over twenty five pounds a
year! And yet can't afford ten shillings
for gate, nor a guinea that my family may
receive religious instruction for a year,
Walter Gray think you had better turn
over new leaf'' ...,--
And Walter Gray did turn over new
leaf On the very next day he did two
things, thereby astonishing two parties. He
had new gate made for tho entrance to- the
garden, and thereby astonished his wife; and
he refused to "toss up for the ale, and
thereby astonished crowd of expectant
thirsty ones. For month he pursued this
course, and by the expiration of that time he
could fully appreciate the new blessings
that were drawing upon him. He discover
ed that he could afford everything which the
comfort of his family demanded; and in ar
irving at this result, he had only to relin-
quish those things which he really could not
afford. 1t was wonder to him how he could
have been so foolish. When, at the end of
the year, he had paid his note, and had e2O
left, he felt at first as though there must be
some mistake; but when his wife went over
their household expenditure with him, and
showed him that all they had needed had
been bought and paid for, he saw just how
it was. He saw that for years he had been
wasting his substance, and depriving him
self and loved ones Of the comforts they
needed-not Intentionally, but through the
strange mistake that 10 IDS thousands in the
oama conrco p,,t bo iii ca y. ,,,o,o