Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-07-25
"1F WE ONLY HAD A PIANO q

a- s--
"IF WE ONLY HAD A PIANO"
This is pleasant exclaimed the young
husband, taking his scat costly in the rocking
chair as the ten things were removed. The
lire g,owed in % CRATE, revealing a pres!iiy
and neatly finished Si.ting-rOom, with sll the
appliances Of comfort The ttiguing business
OF the day wes over and he sat enjoying, thst
which ho had al day been anticipating, the
delights Of bis own friends. His pretty wife
Esther took her work and SO. down by the is-
Die.
" It is pleasant - have a home Of ones own,
he ssid, again taking J satisfactory survey Of
his snug little quarters The cold rain beat
against the windows, and he thought he ie!t
grateful for his present enjoyments.
Now il We only had piano| ssid the
wife
Give me tie music Of your sweet voice
teiore all the pianos in creation" ho declared
complimentary, despite certain secret dis
appointment that his wiic's tharktulnesS did
not chime with his own.
Well, but we want one for our friends
said Esther
Let our friends como to sec us, and not %
hear piano" exclaimed her husband.
But, George, everybody has piano, now
a-dsys; we don't g. anywhere without seeing
. piano" persisted the wife.
And vet DO not know what we want one
for. you will have no time TO play one, and i
don't ike TO hear H."
Why they are so fashionablo-I think our
room looks really naked without O piano"
! think it looks just right"
/ think it looks very naked-wo want !
piano shockingly," protested Esther emphasi-
cally.
The husband rocked violently.
Your lamp smokes, ny dear" he raid af-
ter long pause.
when are you going to get q solar lamp?
/ have told you a dozen times how much We
need one, said Esther auitc impatiently.
"Those will do"
but you know, everybody, nowadays
wants solar lamps"
Those lamps are the prcttest Of the KIND
ever saw, and they were bought in Boston"
/" But George, | do not think our room ls
complete without a solar lamp" said the wife
sharply" they are so fashionable; why the
D-s. BIS and As all have them. I'm sure
we ought TO.
I'VE ought 70, if we take pattern by other
people's expenses. and don't see any reason
for shat" The husband moved uneasigin his
chair I'VE want TO live within our means
Esther u exclaimed her husband
Z" am sure think we could afford i ae
well as the B-s. or D--s and many others we
might mention VIC do not wish 70 appear
mean"
Georges cheek crimsoned.
Mean II am not mean {" ho cried anRrly.
=. t,rfs 20, c.tN % AafH
tho wife To complete this room and make
it like others, we want a piano and solar
lamp"
1--WE want-we want p muttered the hus-
band there is no satisfying woman's wants,
90 what you may; and he abruptly lelt tho
room.
How many husbands are in a similar diem
ma How many homes and husbands are rem
dered unct nfortable by the constant dissatis-
faction Of a wife with present comforts and
present provisions. How many bright pros
poets for busintss have ended IN bankruptcy
after fashionable necessities II the real cause
Of many a failure could be made known II
would DO found 20 result from useless e1pendi-
ture at hcme-e1penses 70 answer the demands
Of fashion, and What will people sayof Us 2
4" sly wife has made my fortune" said gen
tleman of great possessions, "by her thnit,
prudence and cheerfulness, when | was Just
beginning"
{" And mine has los. my fortune" said his
companion bitterly, by useless cTtrayagancc
and repining when was doing well. What
a world does this open Of the influence which a
wife possesses over the future prosperity Of her
family! Let the wife know her influence, and
try 10 use il wisely aud well.
Be satisfied to commence small II Is too
common FOR young housekeepers % begin where
their mothers ended But al that iSuecessary
70 work skillfully with, adorn your house With
all that will render it comfortable. Do not
look al richer homes, and covet their costly
furniture. II secret dlssatisfasti0n springs up
20 a step further. and visit the homes of the
Door and suffering; behold dark, cherries 4
partinents, insufficient clothing and absence Of
the egmf1r.sand refinemcnts Of sociaihfc; then
% your own with joyful spirit.
You viii then be prepared y mcet your his-
band with grateful heart, aud be ready to ap-
rreciatC that toll and self-denial Which has en-
dured In bis business world b surround you
with all the delights Of homoi then you VIII
lie ready % cooperate cheerfully with him in
SD arranging your expenses that BIS mind wili
not be constantly harrassed with fears lest faEi-
ly exucnses cucroach upon his business.
Be independent a young hcusekeepeT
never needed greater moral courage than she
does 20 refist the arrogance Of fashion. Do not
Ict the As and BIS decide what you must
have, neither le, them hold the strings Of your
purse You know what you can and ought %
afford tltn decide with strict integrity ac-
cording O. your means. Let 10: the ceusures
nor the approval Of the world ever tempt you
% buy what you hardly think YOU can afford.
L matters little what they think, provided you
are true % yourself and family.
Thus pursuing an indePenden; straight for
ward. consistent course Of action. there viii
spring mp peace and joy all around you. Sat-
isfed and happy yourself, YOU viii make your
husband so, and your children viii feel the
warm and genial influence. Happy at home,
your husband can 60 out into the world with
a clear head self-relying spirit; domestic
chickering's Eill not sour his heart, and be VIII
return 10 you again With confding and uncess-
ing love. Depend upon It, beauty wit grace,
accomplishments, have FAR less T. DO viii fam
ily comfort than prudence ocoEomy and good
sense. i husband may get tired Of admiring,
but never with tie comfortable conciousness
that his receipts exceed bis demands.