The Placer herald., 1859-07-09
Can't Afford It.
"Can't afford it, Maria"

| ~ can't do 1t" the husband retOrted, very
emphatically. ut would cost ten or twelve
shilIings at the very lowest, to put up such
a gate, and the old bars will answer every
purpose"
mo, they wont, Walter The neighbors'
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, if a COW should happen to get
in when | am away"
81 should like to know who leaves the
bars down." said Walter, very threateningly.
"The same children might leave gate
open."
"But we can have gate made to close of
its own accord, with weight or spring."
suggested the wife, John Niles has had
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. I tell you
cant afford it-at any rate not at present.
And with this Walter started off for his
work.
Walter Gray was young man about
thirty, and an industrious mechanic; had
been married some eight years, and had an
interesting family. He meant to provide
for those who depended upon him, and in
measure he did SO. But there were many
little comforts 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 requests
But he couldn't afford it; at least so he
thought, and whether he thought so with
sound judgment the sequel will prove
The gate which bis wife had been so anx-
ious to have put up, was needed at the en-
trance of the garden back of the house.
where there were only pair of short bars
The children often came through there, and
sometimes left the way open behind them.
In short, there were many why's in whicl,
those bars were apt to be left down, and it
was only by extreme watchfulness on her
part that the garden was preserved. She
had spoke several times to her husband
about it, but he felt that he couldn't afford
it, She must keep her eyes upon the spot,
and see that the bars were kept shut
Only a 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 that he did not think he
should.
"But you can hire half of one. We can
have half Of Mr.. Niles pew for guinea"
Il cant .aford it," was Walters reply.
81 should get no great good from the SER
vices any way"
"Don't say so, husband. You certainly
xvouoJn,t ,v,ch 10 Ero I, 81,
children, where there was no religious influ-
ence. If you reap the benefits Of good
Christian institutions, you ought certainly
to feel willing to he lip support them"
$50 would be willing if I could afford it;
but | can't"
Mrs. Gray looked very serious, and seem
ed to hesitate, as though there were a sub
ject upon her mind which she felt delicate
about broaching.
"Walter," she said at last, tremuously,
but still resolutely, "you have two pounds a
week."
"Yes."
"And how much does it take Of that to
feed us?"
IL don't know, I'm sure I only know
that it takes all to feed and cothe us"
udNcI udu Il IeW UIeSS SlIlC0 ldSL du-
tumn; and was reckoning mp yesterday how
much we had spent for the children, and l
found it to be only three pounds for the last
ten months. have worked over some of
cousin Johns clothes for Charles, and Lucn-
da jumps into Mary's dresses as the latter
outgrows them"
"That't all very WE'LL" replied Walter, a
little testify. 81 understand my own bus-
ness, and know just what can afford, and
what I can't. While have the payments
to make on my house must economize-
I must economize," he repeated, very deci-
dedly.
"And would have you economize," re-
turned the wife; "but do not forget that all
is not economy which many call so. Think
it might be source Of great saving to put
gate up at the back
"Stop." interrupted Walter, with ner-
vous emotion. "You've said enough about
this. know my means'
LET me say one word" urged Maria
There was an earnestness in her tone which
caused her husband to stop and listen. 'Ii
you will give me a guinea a week, [ will
agree to furnish all the provisions for the
household, and clothe myself and children
l will do this for one year. That will leave
you seventy pounds with which to clothe
yourself and make 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 fol
your clothes, and-otter expenses"
Walter was upon the point of denying
this result of the case, but he saw, upon &
moments reflection that from his wife!
statement the deduction was correct, SO ht
denied the statement
"You cannot furnish the food and cloth.