Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-05-11
TALES & SKETCHES.
sIF WE ONLY HAD A PIANO.
by MRS. HELEN c. KNIGHT.

pIcttily anu Hcdtiy Hnisucu SittiuB- rOon',
with all the appliances of comfort. The
he sat Enjoying, what he had all day been
anticipating, the delights of his own friends.
His pretty wife Esther took her work, and
sat down by the table.
'It is pleasant to have home of ones
own," he said, again taking satisfactory
survey of his snug little quarters The cold
rain beat against the windows, and he
thought hc felt grateful for all his present
enjoyments. 49,.
snow if we only had piano ~ said the
wife,.
"Give me the music of your sweet voice
before all the pianos in creation" he de-
clared complimentary, despite o certain
secret disappointment that his wife's thank
fulness did not chime with his own.
swell, but We want one for our friends,
said Esther.
"Let our friends come to sec US, and not
ts hear piano |" exclaimed her husband.
"But, George, everybody has piano, now
q. days. VIC don't 60 anywhere without sec
ing n piano." persisted the wife.
"And yet don't know we want one for ;
you will have no time to play one, and l
don't like to hear it."
"Why they are so fashionable-I think
our room looks really naked without a pia-
no."
81 think it looks Just right"
II think is looks very naked-we want
o piano shockingly," protested Esther, en-
phatically.
The husband rocked violently
"Your lamp smokes, my DEAR" he said,
! after long pause.
"When are you going to get solar lampl
have told you dozen times how much
we need one" said Esther, impaticntly.
"Thosc will do"
"But you know, everybody, nowadays,
wants solar lamps"
"Those lamps are the prettiest of the kind
I ever saw, they were bought at Boston,"
"But, George, do not think our room
is complete without solar lamp" said the
wife sharply-"they are so fashionable; why,
the D--s, B-s, and As, all have
them. I'm sure we ought to-"
1--WE ought to, if we take pattern 6y other
peoples expenses, and don't see any rea
son for that. The husband moved uneasily
in his chair. "We want to live within oul
means, Esther" exclaimed her husband.
II am sure should think we could afford
it as we'll as the B--s, and D-s, and
many Others we might mention we do moi
wish to appear mean."
Georges check crimsoned.
"Mcan II am not mean |" he cried, an
grily. :.
, "Then you do not wish to appear so, sale
the wife. "To complete this room, and
make it like Others, VIC want piano and
solar lamp"
ave want-we want !'-muttcrcd the
. husband; 'therc is no satisfying woman's
wants, do what you may ~ and abruptly
, left the room.
r How many husbands are in a similar di
lemma! How many homes and husband!
0 are rendered uncomfortable by the constant
dissatisfaction of wife with present com
forts and present provisions How many
bright prospects for business have ended in
bankruptcy after fasbionablcs necessities
a fthe real cause of many failure could bt
8 made known, it would be found to result
from useless expenditure at homc-expense'
I to answer the demands of fashion, and 'wha
\ will people say of US?
T My wife has made my fortune said {
gentleman of great possessions, by her thrift
| prudence, and choerfulness, when was jus
f beginning"
"And mine has lost my fortune" answer
!. ed his companion, bitterly, by useless ex
!, ltravagance, and repining when was doing
> we'll" What world does this open of th'
# influence which wife possesses over th
n future prosperity of her family! Let tn
wife know her influence, and try to use
:, wisely and well. ....
Be satisfied to commence small. 1t is to-
common for young housekeepers to begil
) where their mothers ended. But all that i
il necessary to work skilfully with, adorl
It your house with all that will render i. com
n Portable. Do not look at richer homes, ant
y covet their costly furniture. If secret dis
d satisfaction springs up, go a step further
d and visit the homes of the poor and suffer
10 ing behold dark, cheerless apartments, in
sufficient clothing, and absence of the com
y forts and refinement of social life; then t
y your own with joyful spirit.
!. You will then be prepared to meet you
a husband with grateful heart, and be read
e to appreciate that toll and self-denial whicl
!, he has endured in his business world t
q surround you with all the delights of home
), then you will be ready to cooperate cheer
,. fully with him in so arranging your expense
\ that his mind will not be constantly harras
q sed with fears lest family expenses may en-
d croach upon public payments.
Be independent. A young housekcepe
Y never needed greater moral courage tha
q she does to resist the arrogance OF fashion
N Be not let the As and BIS decid
.. what you must have, neither let them hol
,t the strings of your purse. You know wh9
n you can and ought to afford then decid
l. with strict integrity according to your mean
A. Let not the censures or the approval of tn
,e world ever tempt you to buy what yo
s as hardly think you can afford. 1t matter
a. little what they think, provided you al
se true to yourself and family.
o Thus pursuing an independent, straigh
no forward, consistent course of action, thel
TO will spring up peace and JOY all around yo,
IS, Satisfied and happy yourself, you win MAX
o. your husband so, aud your children will fe
p the warm and happy influence. Happy
e. home your husband can so out into the worl
with clear head and self-relying spirit
.. domestic chickering's will not sour his hear
No and he will return to you again with'a CO..
fding and urceasing love. Depend upon
: beauty, wit, grade, accomplishments, ha'
farless to do with family comfort than pr
dence, economy, aud good sense. A hu
sr band may get tired of admiring, but new
Of with the comfortable consciousness that h
ng receipts exceed bis demands.
10
Minister Bigelow, while st Paris, got no
. of the autograph copy of Franklin's autobi