Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-11-17
MisrslIaneons.
CAN'T AFFORD IT.

aCan't afford It, Maria"
aBut you might if you would only thin
so. Walter" pleaded the young wife.
II can't do it." the husband returned
very empbaticalIy. aIt would cost ten o
twelve shillings at the very lowest 10 pu
up such q gate, and the old bars will an
swer the same purpose"
A'No they won't, Walter. The neigh
bor's children very often leave the bar
down, and stray cattle come into the gar
den. We may lose more than the pric
of the gate in one hour if a COW shoult
happen TO get in when Tn away"
Il should like to know who leaves th'
bars down." said Walter, very threatening
ly. "The same children might leave
gale open"
But we can have a gate made to close
of its own accord, with weight or spring,
suggested the wife. "John Miles has gol
gate put up in his yard"
"But / amt John Miles, my dear,
Walter wished his wife to remember.
"But his family is as large as yours, and
his wages not so big"
"Never mind about that. I tell you
can't afford it-at any rate not at present"
And with this Walter started off for his
work.
Walter Gray was q young man, about
thirty; an industrious mechanic; had been
married some eight years; and had an in
teresting family. He meant to provide
well for those who depended upon him,
and in measure did so. But there were
many comforts of which he felt obliged to
deprive them-comforts which at times
they really needed, and which, in the end,
might have proved source of saving
And more too; it might have added TO bis
own happiness had be felt able to grant
these little requests. But he couldn't af-
ford 1t; at least SO be thought, and whether
be thought so with sound Judgment the
sequel will prove.
The gate which bis wife had been so
anxious to have put up, was needed at the
entrance of the garden back of the house,
where there were only pair of short bars.
The children often came through there, and
sometimes left the way open behind them.
In short there were many days in which
those bars are apt to be left down, and
Maria Gray had often to leave her work TO
drive out cattle that had got in. 1t was
only extreme watchfulness on her part that
garden was preserved. She had spoke
several times to her husband about il. She
must keep her eyes upon the spot, and see
that the bars wero kept shut.
Only a few days after this, Mrs. Gray
asked her husband if be was going to hire
a pew in the church the following year,
and he told her that he did not think be
should.
"But you can hire half one. You can
half of Mr.. Niles pew for guinea"
II can't offerd it." was Walters reply.
4 should get no great good from the ser
vices any way"
"Don't say so, husband. Suppose eve
rybody should feel like that. You GER
lainly wouldn't wish to live, and bring up
your children where there were no religious
Influences. And if you resp the benefit
IF good Christian institutions, you certain.
y onght to feel willing 10 help support
hem.
$50 1 would be willing If could afford
I, but can't"
Mrs. Gray looked very serious and SEEM
ed TO hesitate as though there was SUBJ
ect upon her mind which she felt delicate
about broaching; but it had occupied her
bought too long and she determined to
t ont.
"Walter," she said little TREMENDOUSLY,
'ut still resolutely, @you have two pounds
i week."
"Yes.s
"And how much of that does it take to
eed usf"
81 don't know, I'm sure. / only know
hat it takes it all to feed and clothe US,
md pay up the interest on the house."
havn't had new dress since last au-
umn, and / was reckoning up yesterday
low much we had spent for the children.
nd found it to be only three pounds for
be last ten months. / have worked over
ONE of cousin Johns clothes for Charles,
nd Lucinda jumps into Mary's dresses as
be latter outgrows them"
"Thats all very WELL" replied Walter, a
title testify. i understand my own husi-
ess, and know just what can offord, and
THAT / can't. While / have the payment
o make on my house must economise-
must econonaise," be repeated very decid-
dly.
"And would have you economise," re- ,
drned the wife; "but do not forget that
II is not economy which many call so. l !
hink that to hire half of John Niles pew
7ould be a great source of economy in |
omfort and lasting good. It would be
uinea laid out to good advantage-sure
D return q heavy interest to us and our /
hildren. And ] think it might be source
{ great saving to pat up good gate at {
he back I
"Stop," interrupted Walter, with ner-
Gus motion. You've said enough about I
ais. ! know my means" /,
"Let me say one word," urged Maria
here was an earnestness in her tone which 9
aused her hasband to stop and listen. "If |
'ou give me q guinea week, l will agree j
furnish all the provisions for the hous- G
old, and clothe myself and children. / ]
I'll 90 THIS for one year. That will leave !;
ou nfty pounds with which TO make your a
ayment on the house. On the house YOU c
ave only TO pay twenty nouods With in q