Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-11-02
Misfellaaeons.
CANT AFFORD IT."
A Sketch for Everyday Life
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

Cant afford it, Maria" 9
But you might if you would only think
so Walter" plead the young wife
81 can't do it," the husband returned,
very emphatically. at would cost two or
three dollars, at the very lowest, to put up
lch gate, and the old bars will answer
very purpose"
" No, they won't, Walter The neigh
.os' children very often leave the bars
down and then stray cattle come into the
garden. We may lose more than the price
ot a gate in one hour, if a COW should hap
pen to get in when | am away"
should like to know who leaves the
bars down." said Walter, very threatingly.
The same children might leave gate
pen
But we can have gate made to close
fits own accord, with weight, or spring" Z"
suggested the wife. John Niles has had
gate put up in his yard"
But l amt John Niles, my DEAR" Wal
Ter 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--at any rate not at present"
And with this Walter started off for work.
Walter Gray was young man, about
thirty an industrious mechanic had been
married. some eight years and had an in
Il .estmg family. He meant to provide well
i or those who depended upon him, and in a
MEASURE he did so. But there were many
little comforts of which at times they real
yneeded, and which in the end, might
4Aye proved a source of saving. And more
Wy; 1t might have added to his own hap
gless had he felt able to grant these little
E eQuests. But he couldn't afford it-at
.ast, 50 he thought and whether he tho't
III % with sound judgment the sequel will
II show.
The gate which his wife had been so anx.
GUS to have put up was needed at the en-
Iance to the garden back of the house
Where there was only pair of short bars
lie children often came through there, and
y' the way open behind them. In short,
mere were many ways in which those bars
"eFe apt to be left down, and Maria Gray
'al very often to leave her work to drive
.'' cattle that got in. 1t was only by ex
~eie watchfulness on her part that the
-'1en was preserved She had spoker
several times to her husband about it, but
1t lgIt he couldn't afford it. She must keeE
-sI eyes upon the spot, and see that the
AIS were kept shut.
VAiy few days after this Mrs. Gray
IsAe1 INN if he was going to hire pew il
g,u T Cnurch for the following year, and he
'1 her that he did not think he should
LII &c r.
ave half of Mr.. Niles's pew for five dol
d., can't afford it." was Walters reply
should get no good from the meetings
poht say so, husband Suppose every
y-y should feel like that. You certainl,
tg5 lu''' wish to live, and bring up you
5'-'eA: where there was no religious in
,,oJ o,'e And if you reap the benefits 0
s,q christian institution, you certainl,
sI! 70 feel willing to help support them
i 80 would be willing, if | could atfor'
but can't" 'f.
saer,.5 SHS' cray looked very serious, ant
.ri; ii+ieu TO hesitate, as though there were
,,'CI upon her mind, which she felt del
her al aOout broaching but it had occupie
81 d Iat C:ughts too long, and she determine
r, ,,.I " aIer she said little tremulously
geep sI'i y resolutely, "you have ten dollars
Yes.n ~
feed ana Nh ,i how much of that does it take t
that il t4nt tnl know, Pm sure only kno,
taxes 1t all to feed and clothe us an