Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-02
DNEsDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 2, 1859.
FINDING A LEAK.
A Domestic Episode.
BY ALICE B. NEAL.

BY ALICE B. NEAL.
''Home's home, isn't it, nowl" said Mr..
Murray Cooper, complacently, as he seated
himself at an inviting supper-table, and admired
his wife sitting opposite to him busted with
the tray. Mrs. Cooper was by no means in
tended for burning and shining light in socie-
t., but she made a very pleasant and mellow
radiance, so to speak, in the more limited cir
Gle of her own freside
Mr.. Cooper had ''tastes" and precedent for
all his lkings and aversions in some of the dis
tinguished family of which he was a member.
The Murray was family name, and his soul
aspired to the scale of living to which it be-
longed; but his means were several thousand a
year short of its qualification. Indeed, if Mrs.
Cooper had not been practical in an extreme
degree, and experienced, as to the value of
money in itself considered, it is doubtful
whether they could have got on at all The
recklessness with with her husband assumed
that charge and responsibility, and the style in
which his bachelor expenditures had been con-
Quoted, were rather alarming to one who had al
ways had need to calculate ways and means
closely. For Mrs. Cooper, though very proud
of her family, in certain way, was only a
Smith-Martha Smith; and it is well known
connections as a Murray or Cooper might do.
Poverty among tho Ooopers was being well
dressed-living in large house, waited on by
plenty of servants, but always troubled by an
accumulation of liabilities. Still, as Mr.. Coop.
er, SEN, often remarked, "people must live"
by which he meant that he must, whatever be-
came Of the tradesmen he employed. Poverty,
as known to the Smiths, included selfdenial,
industry, and great many "wants reduced to
must hayes," before they were satisfied. The
younger branches of the Bird Coopers, the De
Laney Coopers, and the Griswod Murrays
looked down upon their cousin as having sunk
several degrees in the social scale when he
left one room in the third story of fashionable
city boarding house for the whole of small
but comfortable house beyond Seventh Avenue,
whereas, inasmuch as he managed, with his
wile's oversight, to live somewhere within the
range Of his income, and paid for most of the
clothes he wore and the food he ate, some un-
prejudiced persons might have ranked him as
morally in the ascendant.
Literally, Mrs. Cooper did not know where
TO commence her reforms when her husbands
IdIosyncrasy as to money matters first was made
apparent; but she came to the conclusion that
the starting point of charity was good place
to commence enforcing its respectable relative,
OSoHOAAyJ anu 80 OSSdu WIN ucE OHu ptLSOIdA
expenditures
But her husband had few preiudices to
overcome before he could be induced to set
aside the extremely modest amount she pro-
posed from his salary "He didn't believe in an
allowance. What was the good in knowing
what you spent 1t didn't make it any less,
and, in fact, it was decidedly uncomfortable to
be posted on the subject He never had IN al
owance; the girls and mother never had one.
No; they always got whatever they chose, and
the bills were sent to the store. 1t wasn't their
business when they were paid. To be sure,
the governor always grumbled when they came
in, and threatened all sorts of things, but no.
body ever minded"
"But should" interposed the governors
daughter-in-law 81 would have gone without,
frst-and would now, rather than see you wor-
ned. It's a great deal better to know Just what
you can afford to get; only try it, Murray, or
let me, for baby and myself If you only knew
how hate to say, charge"
"Poh, poh, Martha, didn't think you were
such a goaseI Why, III0ot rro1aaors ~~eesla
jump at it. l never had an "expense book, as
you call it, since was born. Books are both
ers enough at the office. Who always wants
to be marching up a column of figures, and ru-
minating on "sum total" except it's balance
have had the pleasure of experiencing When
have the money, you're welcome to it, you
know that. These private purses make wife
altogether too independent. They are the very
II beg your pardon, the mischief, you knowl"
"But suppose" said Mrs. Cooper, 81 should
wish to make my husband birthday present,
how unsentimental it would sound - Ny love-
please give me ten dollars to buy you gold
pencil ! or, to have my nice lttlel surprise
spoiled by the bill being presented beforehand
at the office or, having to manage Mrs. Green's
fashion, and take what l wanted from your
pocket, little by little, after you were asleep at
night To be sure, you never would miss it. I"
''Now, that's rather hard on fellow, Martha,
after all my reforms. Don't even stop in an
omnibus to count my changei Haven't done
wonders in not bringing home-all sorts of
things, you know! I'll bet you two to one"
II never bet, recollect," " interrupted Mrs. MUIR
raw, in a grave tone that belied the mischief of
her smils-at the idea Of her husbands reforms
"Well, wouldn't be afraid to-that can tell
to dot every cent I've got about me tonight" :"
Suppose / agree to give up the allowance if
you can !" suggested the unbeieving helpmate.
"Done ]" And the porte-monnaie was drawn
forth triumphantly. 1t so happened that little
| foot-bill of two or three years standing had
been presented that evening, which had caused
an inspection of cash on hand; ending in an in
yitation the collector was perfectly accustomed
TOTO call again. Tr
seThere's two fives-Butcher and Drovers-
do you see and ten, Rhode Island money, a
three and one, and seventy-fve cents in
change No allowance carries the day madam" ("
| "Not quite so close. l can see; and bank
notes never are quite Cologne. Now suppose
| Won look in your pockets"
"Oh, Pm quite cured ofthdtl-no more change
lying around loose"
Two of these convenient receptaeles emptied
presented only knife, pencil, two small screws
and box of leads. In the breast pocket of his
coat the hand made sudden pause.
| Mrs. Cooper was in turn triumphant, as she
saw flush of discomPosure rise to her hus-
bands face. 4I.i' ~
"Stupid oh, remember now the change at
Delmonico's for my lunch, you know !" And
the disseminated man drew forth two cigars, a
gold dollar, q bill, and some small change,
This was the history of the allowance, imPor-
tant, since, from its practical working, MIR.
Cooper first began to understand faint glim-
mer of the important truth, ga penny saved is
two pence got" and, as is often common with
enthusiastic minds, he p unged into reforms on
his own account to most alarming extent
This was, after their essay at housekeeping,
Mrs Cooper's plan again, though he often ig-
nored that fact, and congratulated himself on
the brilliant idea.
He gave up smoking for two months and a
half; then had few cigars some one had given
him down town; afterwards bunch of some
choice brand, LOper, friend Of his, who was
in the business, had desired him to try; and
finally a half box was smuggled in quietly, and
replaced at intervals. He wore really shabby
clothes through the hot weather, but brought
home choice assortment of white jean, Mar
seilles, and fancy check suit, the last three
days of September heat. BE undertook self