North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-06-12
"IF WE ONLY HAD:A PIANo,u

ingchair as the tea things were removed.
The fire glowed in the CRATE, revealing
prettily and neatly finished sitting room,
with all the appliances of comfort. The
fatiguing business of the day was over and
he sat enjoying, that which had all day
been anticip pating, the delights Of his own
friends. His pretty wife Esther took her
work and sat down by the table.
at 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 he felt grateful for all his present
enjoymeDts.
"Now if we only had a piano!" said
the wife.
"Give me the music of your sweet voice
before all the pianos in creation" he de-
clared complimentary, despite aertain
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 see Gus, and
not to hear piano p exclaimed her hus-
band. but, George, everybody has
piano, nowadays we don't 60 anywhere
withour seeing piano." persisted the
wife.
"And yet do not know what we want
one for I; you will have no time to play one,
and don't like to hear it.
"Why they are so fashionable-I think
our room looks really naked without pi-
ano."
81 think it looks very naked-we want
piano shocklngly," 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
lamp? l have told you dozen times how
much we need one," said Esther quite inn
patiently,
"Those willldo."
"But you know, everybody, nowadays
wants solar lamps"
"Those lamps are the prettiest Of the
kind | ever saw, and they were bought in
Boston"
"But, George, do not think our room
is complete without solar lamp" said the
wife sharply-"they are so fashionable
why the D., BIS and As all have
them. I'm sure we ought to-"
ave ought to, if we take pattern by
other peoples expenses, and / don't see
any reason for that" The husband moved
uneasily in his chair. ave want to live
within our means, Estherw exclaimed her
husband.
"l'm sure | think we could afford it as
we'll as the BIS, or the Ds, and many
others we might mention; we do not wish
to appear rnean."
Georges cheek crimsoned.
"Mean Il am not mean," he cried an
grily.
"Then you do not wish to appear so,"
said the wife. "To complete this room
and make it like others, we want piano
and solar lamp"
awe want-we wantp muttered the
husband {; there is no satisfying woman's
wants, do what you may" and he abruptly
left the room. -.--...s. .......
How many husbands are in similar
dilemma How many homes and hus-
bands are rendered uncomfortable by the
constant dissatisfaction of a wife with
present comforts and present pro-
visions. How many bright prospects
for business have ended in bank
ruptcy after fashionable necessities If
the real cause of many failure could be
made known, it would be found to result
from useless expenditure at home-ex-
penses to answer the demands of fashion,
and "What will people say of us p
"My wife has made my fortune" said a
gentleman of great possessions, "by her
thrift, prudence and cheerfulness, when l
was just beginning.
"And mine has lost my fortune" said
his companion bitterly, "by useless ex-
travagauce and repining when was doing
we'll" What 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 to
use it wisely and well.
BE satisfied to commence small. 1t is
too common for young housekeepers to
begin where their mothers ended. But
all that is necessary to work skillfully with,
adorn your house with all that will render
it comfortable, Do not look at richer
homes, end covet their costly furniture:
Ii secret dissatisfaction springs up, 60 q
step further, and visit the homes of the
poor and suffering; behold dark, cheer
less apartments, insufficient clothing and
absence of the comforts and refnements
of social life; then to your own with a
joyful spirit.
| You will then be prepared to meet
yoer husband with a grateful heart, and
be ready to appreciate that toll and self.
denial which he has endured in his bust.
ness world to surround you with all the
delights of home then you will be ready
to cooperate cheerfully with him in so
arranging your expenses that his mind
will not be constantly harrassed with fears
| lest family expenses encroach upon his bu-