The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-11-09
CAN'T AFFORD 1T.
Jan't afford it, Maria"

But you might If you would only
think so, Walter" pleaded the young
wife.
"I can't do it," the husband returned
very emphatieally. (" 1t would cost ten
or twelve shillings, at the very lowest to
put up such gate, and the old bars will
answer every purpose"
"No they won't, Walter. The neigh
boris children very often leave the bars
down, and then stray cattle come into the
garden. We may lose more than the
price Of a gate in one hour if COW sho'd
happen to get in when am away"
Il should like 10 know who leaves the
bars down." said Walter threateningly.
A" Tho same children might leave the gate
OPEN"
/" But we can have gate made to close
of its own accord, with q weight or
spring." suggested the wife. "John Niles
has got gate put up in his yard"
"But | amt 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"
"Never mind about that. / tell you
/ can't afford it--at any rate not at pres
cnt." And with this Walter started off
for his work.
Walter Gray was 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 a measure he did so. But there
were many little comforts of which he
felt obliged to deprive thcm-~comfcrts
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 his own happiness
had he felt able to grant these little re-
quests, But he couldn't afford il; at
least so he thought, and whether he tho't
so with sound judgement the sequel will
prove.
The gate which his wife had been so
anxious to have put up was needed at the
entrance 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 way open behind
them. In short there were many days
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 eye upon the spot, and see that the
bars were kept shut.
Only few days after this, Mrs. Gray
asked her husband if he was going 10 hire
a pew in the church for the following year,
and he told her that he did not think he
should.
"But you can hire half a one. We
can have half Of Mr.. Niles pew for
guinea
Can't afford it," was Walters reply.
Z" l should get no great good from the
services any way"
Don't say so, husband. Suppose ev-
cry body should feel like that. You cer-
tainly wouldn't wish to live, and bring up
your children, where there was no relig-
ious influence. And if you reap the ben
efits of good Christian institutions, you
certainly ought to feel willing TO help to
support them."
$50 would be willing il could afford
it; but | can't"
Mrs. Gray looked very serious, and
seemed to hesitate rs though there was a
subject upon her mind which she felt del
icato about broaching; but it had occu-
pied her thoughts too long, and she de-
termined to let it out.
Walter" she said little tremulous-
ly, but still resolutcly, YOU have two
pounds week."
"Yes."
"And how much Of that does it take
to feed usr'
"I don't know, I'm sure. | only know
that it takes it all to feed and clothe us,
and pay up the interest on the house."
~ haven't had a new dress since last
autumn; and l was reckoning up yester-
day how much we spent for the children,
and | 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 Msry's dresses
as the latter out grows them