The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-07-01
CAN'T AFFORD HI.
"CAN'T afford it, Maria"

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
ola gate in one hour, if a cow should hap
pen to get in when | am away"
81 should like to know who leaves the
bars down. said Walter, very threaten
iDgly. "The same children might leave
a gate open"
"But we can have gate made to close
ofits own accord, with weight or spring,
suggested the wife. 'John Niles has had
a gate put 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. l tell you /
can't afford it-at any rate not at present.
And with this Walter started off for his
work. @
Walter Gray was young man, about
thirty; an industrious mechanic; had been
married some eight years; and had an
interesting family. He meant to provide
we'll 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-comforts 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 hppiness 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 his wife had been so
anxious to have put up was needed at the
entrance to the garden back of the house,
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 ways
in which those bars were apt to be left
down, and Maria Gray had very often to
leave her work to drive out the cattle that
had gotin. Itwas only'by extreme watch
fulness on her part that the garden was
preserved She had spoken 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 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. J
"But you can hire half of one We can
have half of Mr.. Niles pew fora guinea, -
81 can't afford it, was Walters reply.
81 should get no good from the services
any way"
Don't say SO, husband. Suppose ev-
erybody should feel like that. You GER
tainly wouldn't wish to live, and bring up
your children, where ther was no religious
influence? And if you reap the benefits
of good Christian institutions you certain
ly ought to feel willing to help to support
them
$50 I would be willing, if could afford
it: but can't"
Mrs Gray looked very serious, and
seemed to hesitate, as though there was a
subject upon her mind, which she felt
delicate about broaching; but it had occu-
pied her thoughts too long, and she de-
termined to lot it out.
g Walter" she said little TREMENDOUSLY
but still resolutely, ''you have two pounds
week.
eyes"
ssAnd how much of that does it take tc
feed us"
81 don't know, I'm sure I only know
that it takes it all to feed and clothe US
and fay up interest on the house"
"I haven't had new dress since last au,
tumn; and l was reckoning up yesterday
how much we had spent for the children
and found it to be only three pounds fol
the last ten months. | have worked ovel
some of cousin j ohn's clothes for Charles
and Lucinda jumps into Nary's dresses al
the latter outgrows them
i That's all very we'll ~ replied Walter
a little testify. II understand my ow,
business, and | know just what | can af
ford, and what I can't. While have th'
payments to make on my house 1 mus
economise-latasteco economist, he repeated
very decidedly
"And l would have you economize,
returned the wife; 'but do not forget tina
! 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 1t would b
guinea laid out to good advautage-sur,
to return u heavy interest to US and ou
children. And 1 think it might be sourc
J of great saving, to put up good gate a
the back x
t s'StopW interrupted Walter, with a ner
, vous motion, you've said enough abou
: this. | know my means"
: ssLet me say one word,' urged Mari
7 There was an earnestness in her tonewhic
caused her husband to stop and lister
i "If you will give me guinea week,
: will agree to furnish all the provisions fe
l the household, and clothe myself and chi
: dren. l will do this for one year. Tha
will leave seventy pounds with which
clothe yourself and make your paymer
on the house. On the. house you hay
only to pay twenty pounds, with interet
r for two years, which will leave you twenty
nine pounds for your clothes and-otho
!. enpenses." " yeal
/ Walter was upon the point of denyiu
= this result of the case, but he saw upon