The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-12
for TIE Donte GirtIt.
WALTER GRAY'S MEANS.

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WALTER GRAY'S MEANS.
Cant afford it, Maria e2lI-.
But you might if you would only think so,
Walter plead the young wife,
'I can't do it, the husband returned very
emphatically. 1T would cost two or three
dollars at the very lowest. to put up such
gate, and the old bars will answer every pur.
pose'
No they won't, Walter. The neiehbors'
children very often leave the bars down, and
then stray cattle come into the garden. We
may loose more than the price of the gate in
half hour,if COW should happen to come in
when I am away
= I should like, to know who leaves the bars
down. replied Walter. very threateningiy.-
The same children might leave gate open.'
But we can have gate made to close of its
own accord, with weight or spring, sug-
gested the wife. John Miles has had gate
put up in his yard
8 But amt John Niles. nv DEAR Walter
Wlshed MS Wlle 10 remember.
But his family is as large as yours, and his
wages are not so high z.as4. y
Never mind about that; tell YOU can't
afford it-at any rate not at present. And
with this, Walter started eff for his work. Fl
Walter Gray was young man, about thir-
ty, an Industrious mechanic; had been married
some eight years. and had an Interesting fam
ily. 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 them-com-
forts which at times they really needed, and
which, in the end might have proved source
of saving. And more, too; it might have ad-
ded to his own happiness, had he been able
to grant these little requests But he could
not afford it-at least so he thought and
whether he thought so with sound Judgment,
the sequel will show.
The gate which his wife had been so anx-
ions to have put up was needed at the entrance
tc the garden, at the back of the house, where
there was only short pair of bars. The chill
dren often came through there, and sometimes
left the way open behind them In short there
were many ways in which those bars were apt
to be left down, and Maria Gray had very Of
ten to leave her work to drive out the cattle
that got in, 1t was only by extreme watch
fuiness on her part. the garden was preserved.
She had spoken several times to her husband d
about it, but he felt that he could not afford
it. She must keep her eyes upon the spot and
see that the bars were kept shut. Z
Only few days after this, Mrs. Gray asked
her husband if he was going to hire pew in
the church for the following year, and he told
her he did not think he should
But You can hire the half of one. We
can have half of Mr.. Niles pew for five dol
lars .- a.4r ; l1-.s
= can't afford it, was Walters reply. j
: should get no great good from meetings. any
i, way = ttfE
1 Don't say SO, husband. Suppose every
q body should feel like that. You certainl,
would not wish TO live, and bring up your chill
/ dren where there was no religious influence
q and if you reap the benefit of good Christian
institutions. you certainly ought to fee! willing
/ to support them.'
3 SO would be willing, if could afford il
;, but can t. - sE
r. Mrs. Gray looked very serious, and seemet
IF to hesitate, as though there was a subject OF
# her mind which she felt delicate about breach
' ing, but it occupied her thoughts so long sh
:, determined to let it out. .i.''
Walter she said a little tremuously, bu
IF still resolutelH you have ten dollars q week
If Yes
in 'And how much of that does it take to fee
10 u.s. ,z.Trz<r E.E @
,e IS / don't know. I'm sure. I only know ths
t it takes all to clothe and feed us, and pay
j the interest on the house. ..-.-...--
DR. : haven't had new dress since last fall
or and was reckoning up yesterday how much "
Of had spent for the children, and found it t
o, be only fifteen dollars for the last ten month
a l have worked over some of cousin John
clothes for Charles and Lucinda jumps in,
Marys dresses as the latter outgrows then
. 80 That's is all very weIl;' replied Walter,
s, little testify. l understand my own bushes
o. and l know just what can afford, and what
cant. While I have the payments to NAL
ais onmy house l must economise-l must eco
f omise,' he repeated, very decidedly.
in And would have you economise,' return,
the wife;.but do not forget that all is not eco
90 omy which many call so. ! think that to hi
half of John Niles pew would be a source
E. economy in comfort and lasting good.
would be five dollars laid out to good adva
to tage-sure to return heavy interest to US al
our children. And think it might be
gh source of great saving to put up good ga
at the back f,s-.i-s 81.
40. Stop interrupted Walter, with ner
ons motion You've said enough about th
know my means.t
Let me say one word urged Maria. The
was an earnestness in her tone which caus
I'D her husband to stop and listen. IF yon v
= give me five dollars week will agree to Fl