The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-07-01

Y
"You cannot furnish the food and clothe
yourself and children, for the sum you
have named" he said.
Thereupon Maria sat down and made
known 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 per week.
Walter said s.Poohl" and then he added:
l"Nonseneel" 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 there was a
mistake. aea ~ 9G
"Have glass of soda, Bill? Come Tom,
have glass"
Don't care if I do, said Tom and Bill
"Have some, Ned?'' a'1 %f
And Ned said eyes" So theelerk pre-
pared four glasses ofsoda, for which Wal
ter Gray paid two shillings.
"Let's have game of 'seven-up' for the
oysters" said Bill, after the days work
was done. 81
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 more hurt than
good.
"Have cigar, Walter" said Tom.
Walter said yes, and in return paid for
four glasses of ale. t
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 imp he
said, addressing John Niles, who stood
by. tH
"No--think not, was Johns reply.
"You'd better. It's only for the grog
for five, if you come in.
"I can't" M
"It's of no use to ask him" spoke Wal
ter, in rather sarcastic tone. s'He don't
spend his money in that way
Johns face flushed, and his lips trem.
bled; but he restrained the biting words
which were struggling upon his tongue,
and turned and left the shop. -
"Hesa mean fellow" cried Tom, loud
enough for Niles to hear. htsA e
"Tight as the bark of tree," added
Walter, in tone equally loud. a
John Niles heard the remarks, but he
did not come back
The four remaining men 'stossed up
and the lot fell upon Walter and Tom.-
Then they ''tossed it off, and it fell upon
Walter who paid four shiliings for the
grog.
| Walter started for home about nine
o'clock, and on the way he was oyertaken
by Niles.
"Walter," said the latter, in kind but
earnest tone, IL want to speak to you.-
wish you to understand me. Fer 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 y
"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 L was mean" , -
'No, no: twas not who said that. -
swell! you said was tight as the
bark of treel' ~ s..
Walter could not deny this, SO John pro-
ceeded.
81 refused to join you in your little
game for three reasons, either one of which
should have been sufficient to deter me
first, l had resolved not to engage in any
such games of hazard; second, L did moi
want any grog; and third, could nothave
afforded to pay for five extra suppers i
the lot had fallen upon me. - Isl
Couldn't have afforded it?" repeated
Walter with slight tinge of unbelief in
his tone. ss
"No, returned the other; 81 could not
1 used to be always ready for any such
game aud thought it would bemeani te
refuse; but have learned better. Lei
ms tell you how first came to see the
folly of being afraid to spend my money
for nothing. Shall l tell you2" IA.
Certainty" returned Walter, who al
ready began to see something. @
"Well, pursued Niles, one noon as
was going away from home, my wife ask,
ed me fer FIVE shillings. She wanted tc
buy some cloth with it. asked her i
she could get along without it. haG
only fifteen shillings with me, and hatet
to let one of them go. She said she real
ly needed the cloth, but if hadn't go
the money to spare, she could wait.
knew she was disappointed, but though
she could get along, and | went away
That evening went into the saloon, an'
we had fine social time. 1t costs m
, justseven- -and-sixpence. Ipaid the none,
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. even thought, of oh
r jection--and then went home. When
entered the hall 1 heard my wife tryins
t to pacify our eldest child. The littl
thing had expected new dress, whic
had been promised her, and she felt badl
t because she had not got it. >. %
"'Wait, urged my wife, as the chill
a sobbed in her disappointment. Pap
b hasn't got the money now; but he'll hay
i. some by-and- by, and then you shall hay
l pretty dress. Poor papa has to wor
r hard giia Gas
: sThe words smote me to the heart.
t could not afford FIVE shillings to dress m
o little child, but could afford any amour
t for the useless entertainment of others
e The crown which my needy wife coul
It not get when she asked for it, Ipaid ava
= .l,ooct twica fold for nothipo Rut