Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-07-22
lfnr Husbands aud &Uiuos
Prom Hancr's Magazine.
THE FAMILY ALLOWANCE.

II was the delay OF but icW minutes TO
exchange his embroidered slippers for snugly-
fitting boots, and to hang away the bright coll
ored Turkish drcssiug-gown, with iis crimson
lining and vividly-tiuted silk tassels--and Mr..
Dater was just prepared TO emerge into the
street, when there was a rustic Of soft drap-
cries along the hall, and u tall, bright-cyed
woman, carrying a rosy baby in her arms,
confronted him.
Q" Are you going down town 20 soon Ed
ward3n
So soon, my dear? 1t is after nine
O'Clock" and Mr. Datcr made a feiut Of pull
ling of the baby's waxcn pink nose, and al.
terward displaying it wedged tightly between
the first aud second fingers Of his left hand.
Yes, butt wanted to speak to you be-
fore you went away this morning.
Speak away, then, my love Halo, you
sirl !" to the baby; have you no respect
for your venerable fathers whiskers2"
Mrs. Daer hostated and colorcd little
ms she played with the baby's blue and white
worsted sock Mrs Dater was a blonde, and
the creeping shadows Of crimson were rather
becoming to her than otherwise.
edward" she said, hurriedly, as if the
subject were one she would fain get over as
soon as possible. " would like a little money
to-day, if you could spare it just as well as
not"
Money, Maria, money :" Mr. Dater tri-
Hes no longer with the growing baby; but
stood up very straight, with his eyebrows ele-
waited. and his eyes exceedingly wide open
and unwinking. 81 believe you had your
months allowance as usual, Mrs. Dater"
Yes. but | have had more than the usual
housekeeping expenses to meet within the last
few days" explains his wife, neryously
" The cook has raised her wages from four
teen dollars to sixteen, and
Get a new cook, then !"
q" But Ellen is so neat and economical
really do not think should be consulting my
best interests by making change. Besides
the water-pipes have been out Of order, and
the bill has come in for the papering We had
done last fall, and -four is good deal highe
than it was, and"
Il see-I see, my DEAR" interrupted Mr.
Dater, irritably; you can spare yourself any
! further details which may conveniently serv'
to hide the simple fact Of extravaganza anS
bad management There are always plenty
of excuses for tia. sort of thing when on'
wants them"
Mrs. Da,er bit her lip and colored Grim
son.
Edward, you have no right to make sucl
an assertion as that. am neither extraya
CANT or a bad manager
So you think, Maria, no doubt; but her
is direct evidence to the contrary staring yo'
point-blank in the lace-point-bank On
hundred and fifty dollars month, Mrs. Da
ter, o1ga to be sufficient for any family VIII
don't dine of gold plate or eat melte
pearls :"
Zone hundred and fifty dollars month
only five dollars day, Edward"
Only FIVE dollars day." echoed her hui
band, with eyes rolled up toward the ceiling
" Only FIVE dollars, Mrs Dater Let me te
/ you five dollars ought to be a great plenty
! there is any sort OF economy practiced in i
expenditure. Tdo not spend five dollars
day, Mrs. Dater"
How much dQ. you spend, Edward ~
.. How much do | spend II II don't Sc
what that has to do with the matter, Mr.
Dator. One thing | am entirely convince
of, however; could discharge all this fam
] Nv , expenditures itl uNt hhlldi' II W.
Under all circumstances ~
Under all circumstances, Mrs. Dater."
Mrs Dater smiled incredulously.
2 al do not think you could, Edward"
} Il knoicI could, Maria, said the husban,
7 dogmatienlly. 81 don't hinkanything abot
, it,
= Then | wish you would just try, for once
I said Mrs. Dater, fairly out of patience. Z"
am tired of this old Egyptian business {
] making bricks without straw. | cannot me-
/ the expenses of this establishment of sevC
t persons for FIVE dollars a day, and there is I
sort of use in wearing out my patience, n
temper, and my nervous system, in tryir
: any farther. l have done my best, withol
I much appreciation, as it appears, and now
y only remains for me to follow the example
|, the English Chancellor of the Exchequ
I when his financial operations don't meet wit
It approval--resgn!"
i Mr.. Dater looked at his wifes sparkliI
c eyes and crimsoned cheeks in some surprise
: he had never before seen her spirit SO tho
e oughly aroused.
v What do you mean, Maria z"
Is II mean, Edward, that if you can di
h charge all the family expenditures for fl
- dollars a day you may have the satislacti
of trying the experiment forthwith He
are my keys"
Mr. Dater backed obviously away from I
profercd insignia Of office.
" o But my--my dear" he said, hurried
d " YOU forget the demands of business"
N p" Let business be adjourned for once"
N sisted the wife 81 tell you ! will not II
: dertake any longer to keep house with insl
lie feent funds"
lie Mr.. Dater looked at his wife. There "
le a resolution in her blue eyes and closely co
= pressed lips which he felt it would be enti
N y useless to combat,
<, Very well, my dear" he said, composed
at drawing off his gloves, 4" if you really ins
a upon it | shall be very happy to show you
truth of Sam Patch's observation, that so
d things can be done as well as Others Y
sr will please send all servants bills and oti
D. nuisanees to me to-day"
OF And ! suppose | may avail myself
m this opportunity to bring up the arrears
> my neglected correspondence said his wi
ir " 1t is not often that | enjoy such recess
lg my housekeeping duties"
= "Just exactly as you please,
e. dear"
. Mr.. Dater calmly sat down in his ca
at chair, lighted cigar, and prepared to re
II the newspaper Mrs. Dcter, after ringi
ar the bell and eonsigning the rosy baby to
IN care of servant, composedly sat down
&c front of the rosewood secretarie, and beg
f.; her task of writing letters.
= "If this is Housekeeping, it isn't such |
y fun, after all :" thought our hero, as he I
70 ped his chair back after the fashion of mi
u kind, and azily watched the golden threa
of sunbeam stretched luminously across
tinted ceiling
st Presently heavy football sounded ale
y the carpatel hall, and Ellen, the cook, appe
w ed.
ne "If We place, ma'am, what'll we be af
n havin' for dinner2"
tn "Mr. Dater will attend 10 you, Ellen, s.
be the abdicated sovereign, calmly notion
or with her hand toward her husband.
lgl NJ. nota. ,yos n l;ttla pn1zIad how % m