The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1859-11-11
CAN'T AFFORD IT.
Can't afford il, Maria. -

"Can't afford Il, Maria"
"But you might II you would only think
so, Walter" pleaded the young wife.
81 can't do IT," the husband retured very
emphatically. "lt would cost ten or
twelve shillings, at the very lowest, to put
up such gate, and the old bars will an
swer 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 the gate in one hour ifa COW
should happen to get in when ! am
away"
81 should like 10 know who leaves the
bars down, !" said Walter very threatinqly.
1.-THE same children might leave the gate
open"
"But we can have a gate made to close
Of is own accord, with a weight or a
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--ut any rate now at pres
ent." And with this Walter started of
for his work.
Walter Gray was a young man, about
thirty; an industrious mechanic; had
been married some eight years; and had
an interesting family. He meant 10 pro-
vide well for those who depended upon
him, and In a measure did so. But there
were many little comforts Of which he felt
obliged to deprive them-comforts which
at times they really needed, and which, in
the end, might have prove a source OF
saving. Aud more, too; il might have
added to his own happiness had he felt
able to grant these little requests. But
he couldn't afford il; at least so he thought
and whether he thought 30 with sound
judgment the sequel will prove.
The gate which his wife had been 80
anxious to have put up was needed ut the
entrance to the garden back of the hou- }
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. II was only by extreme watchful-
ness on her part that the garden was pre-
served, She had spoken several times 10
her husband about Il, but he had felt that
he couldn't afford il. 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 TO hire
a pew in the church for the followingy yeaI
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 guin
ea."
81 can't afford IT," was Walters reply
81 should get no great good from the Serv
ices any way"
"Don't say so husband. Suppose ev
erybody should feel like that. You Ger
tainly wouldn't wish to live, and bring III
your children, where there was no relig
ious influence. And if you reap the ben
efits of good Christian institutions, yol
certainly ought to feel willing to help L
support them"
$50 wo I'D bo willing II could afford
IL; but can't"
Mrs. Gray looked very serious, ant
seemed TO hesitate as though there was a
subject upon her mind which she felt del
icate about broaching; but it had oceu-
pied her thoughts too long, and she de-
termined TO let Il out.
"Walter," she said little TREMENDOUSLY
but still resolutely, "you have two pounds
a week"
ayes"
"And how much ofthat does it take to
feed usl"
81 don't know, I'm sure. I only know
that Il takes Il all 30 feed and olothe u.s.
and pay up the interest on the house,"
81 haven't had a new dress since last
autumn; and was reckoning up yester-
day how much we spent for the children,
and found il to be only three pounds for
the last ten months. have worked over
some Of cousin Johns clothes for Charles,
and Lucinda jumps into Mary's dresses as
the latter outgrows them"
"That's all very vel" replied Walter,
little testify. 81 understand my own
business, and l know just what can af-
I ANNN uuu MAAuN can y W MAAa a MNNN NAAl
payment to make on my house must O.
conomize-I must ee0H0mfze" he repeat
ed very decidedly.
"And would have you eeonomize,' re
turned the wife; "but do not forget that
all is not economy which many call so,--
l think thRt 10 hire half Of John Niles
pew would be a great source Of economy
In comfort and lasting good. Itw0uld be
a guinea laid out to good advantage
sure % return heavy interest TO US and
our children. And think il might be a
source Of great saving 10 put good gate
up AZ the back"
"stoP," interrupted Walter, with a
nervous motion. you've said enough
about this. know my means."
"Let me say one word" urged Maria.
There was an earnestness ia her tone
which caused her husband to stop and lis
ten. "If you viii give me a guinea a
week, will agree 70 furnish ell the pro-
visions for the household, and clothe my
self and children. ! will do this for one
year. That win leave you fifty pounds
with which to clothe yourself and make
your payment on the house. On the
house you have only topuy twenty pounds
with interest for two years, which viii
leave you twenty-nine pounds for your
clothes ahd-OtAegezPensss."