The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-11-09


payment TO make on my house I must
economize-I must economize," he re-
peated very decidedly.
And / would have you economic" "
returned the wife; "but do not forget
that all is not economy which many call
so. think that TO hire half of John
Niles pew would be great source of
economy in comfort and lasting good
IL would be n guinea laid out TO good ad-
vantage-sure 10 return heavy interest
to us and our children. And / think it
might be a source of great saving to put
a gate up at the back"
"Stop," interrupted Walter, with n
nervous motion. "You've said enough
about this. know my means"
"Let me say one word," urged Maria.
There was an earnestncss in her tone
which caused her husband to stop and
listen. "If you will give me a gninea a
week, | will agree to furnish MI the pro
visions for the household, and clothe my
self and children. | will do this for ono
year. That will leave you fifty pounds
with which to clothe yourself and mako
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-nine pounds for
your clothes and-other expenses"
Walter was upon the point Of denying
this result Of the case, but he saw, upon
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 the children for the
sum you have named" said he.
Thercupon, Maria sat down and made
known a few facts to him that had been
hidden within the mysteries of her own
housekeeping. She was not long in prov
ing to him that, during the past year, the
items Of expenditure within said limits
had not averaged guinea n week. Wal
ter said "Pooh" 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 really believed
thero was mistake.
"Have a glass of soda, Bill? Come,
Tom, have glass"
"Don't care IL Iio," said Tom and
Bill.
81 Hava soma Nod 81
And Ned says "Yes." So the clerk
prepared four glasses of soda, for which
Walter Gray paid two shillings.
"Let's have game of 'sevcn-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 them
needed, and which did them more hurt
than good.
"Have cigar, Walter?" said Tom.
Walter said /" Yes" and in return paid
for four glasses Of ale.
One evening they met, after work, and
Ned proposed that they should "toss up"
to see who should pay for the grog.
"Come, John-won't you come inl"
he said, addressing John Niles, who stood
by.
"No-think not" was Johns reply.
"You'd better. It's only for the grog
for five if you come in."
~ can't"
ats Of no use to ask him." spoke
Walter, in rather sarcastic tono. He
don't spend his money in that, way"
Johns face flushed, and bis lips trem-
bled; but he restrained the biting words
which were struggling upon his tongue,
and turned and left the shop.
"Hes mean fellow" cried Tom, loud
enough for Niles to hear.
flight rs the bark of tree" added
Walter, in tone equally loud.
John Niles heard the remark, but he
did not come back.
The four remaining men tossed up"
and the lot fell upon Walter and Tom.-
Then they tossed it off" and il fell up
on Walter, who paid four shillings for the
grog.
Walter started for home about nine
o'clock, and on the way he was overta-
ken by Niles.
Walter" said the latter, in kind but
earnest tone, I" / want to speak with you.
You have wronged me this evening, and
| wish you TO understand me. For the
opinions of Bill Smith or Ned Francis /
care not, but | do not wish you to misap-
prehend me. We live too near together,
and ! would not lose your good opinion"
"Well--go ahead" returned Walter,
who was sensible of the fact that his COM
panion was one of the best and kindest
neighbors in the world.
"You said i was mean."
"No, no; twas not that said that"
"Well you said | was as tight rs the
bark of tree"
Walter could not deny this, SO John
proceeded:
IL refused to join in your little game,
for three reasons, either Of which would
have been sufficient to deter me; First
had resolved not TO engage in any such