The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-12-15
i can't afford it, was Walters reply.

Don't say so, husband. Suppose ev
erybody should feel like that. You GER
tainly wouldn't wish to live and bring
up your children where there was no re
ligious influence. And if you reap the
benefit Of good Christian Institutions
you certainly ought TO be willing to sup
port them
So would be willing, if I could af
ford it, but / can't
Mrs. Gray looked very serious, and
seemed to hesitate, as though there was
a subject upon her mind which she fel,
delicate about broaching butt had oc-
cupied her thoughts too long. aud she
determined to let it out.
Walter she said little tremulous-
ly. but still resolutely, you have two
pounds a week
Yes
And how much of that does it take
to feed us .
I don't know, I'm sure. l only know
that it takes it all to feed and clothe us,
and pay up the interest on the house.
l haven't had a new dress since last
Autumn and l was reckoning yester-
day how much we had spent for the child
rem, and l 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 WE'LL replied Walter,
little testify. i understand my own
business, and l know just what can af-
ford, and what can't. While l have
the payments to make on my house !
must economize-I must economize,' lie
repeated, very decidedly.
And l would have you economize,
returned the wife, but do not forget tha,
all is not economy which many call so.
| think that to hire John Niles pew
would be a great source of economy in
comfort and lasting good Itwould be a
guinea laid out TO good advantage-sure
to return heavy interest to us and our
children. And l think it would be n
source of great saving 10 put up gate
at the back -
Stop ! interrupted Walter, with ner-
vous motion. You've said enough
about this. know my means
Let me say one word,' urged Maria.
There was an earneslness in her tone
which caused her husband TO stop and
listen. If you will give me guinea a
week, / will agree to furnish all the pro-
visions for the household, and clothe
myself and children. | will do this for
one year. That will leave you seventy
pounds with which to clolhe yourself aud
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 y-nine pounds for
your clothes and-osher expenses
Walter was upon the point Of denying
this result Of the case. but he saw on a
moments reflection. that. from his wife s
statement, the deduction was correct, so
he denied the statement.
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 in
proving to him that. during the past
year, the items of expenditure within
said limits had not averaged a guinea per
week. Walter said Pooh 7 and then
he 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 believed there
was a mistake.
Have glass of soda, Bill? Come,
Tom-have glass
'Don't care if l do said Tom and
Bill.
'Havo some, Ned 2
And Ned said yes So the clerk pre-
pared four glasses Of soda, for which
Walter Gray paid twenty-five cents.
Lets have 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 five shillings for four oyster
suppers-suppers which none Of then,
needed. and which did them more hurt
than good.
Have cigar, Walter q asked Tom.