The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-04-14
WITHIN -FOUR MEANS,

chair as the supper things were removed
The glowing FIRE in the crate revealed
pretty aud neatly furnished sittiug-room
with all the appliances Of comfort. Tn
fatiguing business Of the day was over, an
he sat enjoying what he had oil day bee
anticipating, the delights Of his own fire.
s,de. His pretty wife, Esther, took he
work and sat down-by the table.
at is pleasant to have home ofone'
own" he again said, taking satisfactor
survey of his little quarters The col,
rain beat against the windows, and h
thought he felt really grateful for all hi
present comforts. 81
"Now if we only had q piano" exclaim
ed the wife. ~ esst
"Giye me the music .ofyour own svee
voice before all pianos in creation" he oh
served, complimentary; but he felt Ger
tain secret disappointment that his wifei
thankialness did not happily chime Will
MS own, ss~.E .sg,,.a 3 .sss-s .s.ssss. 8
"Well, we vant one for our friends. 1ait
Esther.
"Let our friends come to see ~ and no,
to hear piano." exclaimed The husband.
"But, George, everybody has piano
nowadays-we don't 60 anywhere without
seeing piano" persisted the wife.
"And yet don't know what we want
one for-you will have no time to play on
one, and / don't want to hear It, -
"Why, they are 90 fashionable I think
our room looks nearly naked without one. >
Il think it looks justright
+ II think it looks very nsked-we wan,
a piano, shockingly," protested Esther, en-
pbatically. .ss
The husband rocked violently.
"Your lamp smokes, my DEAR" said be
after long pause.
when are you going to get caMpbene
lamp! have told you . dozen times how
much We need onc," said Esther, pettishly
These are very pretty lamps--I never
can see by . camphene lamp" said her
husband. 'These lamps are the prettiest
of the kind ever saw"
"But George, / do not think our rooms
as complete without camphene lamp
said Esther sharply. ''They are SO fash
ionable !! Why, the Moreans, and the
Millers, and many others ! might mention
all have them; am sure we ought to-
ave ought not to take pattern BY other
peoples expense, aud I don't see any RED.
son in that"
The husband moved unessily in his
chair. =.
We want to live as well as others.n said
Esther. ....s...,
ave want to live within our means, Es-
ther," exclaimed George. -
II am sure you can afford it as well as
the Morgans. and Millers and Thorns; we
do not wish to appear mean"
Georges cheek crimsoned. -
'-Mean!I am not mean!'' be cried an
griiy.
'''rheu we do hot wish to appear so, said
the wife. ITO complete this room, and
make it look ike other peoples we want
. piano and camphene lamps"
ave want-we want !" muttered the
husband: "there's 10 satisfying woman .
want, do what you may" and he sbruptly
left the room.
How many husbands are in similar
dilemma? How many houses and bus.
bands are rendered uncomfortable by the
constant dissatisfaction Of wife With
present comforts and present provisions
How many prospects for business have
ended in bankruptcy and ruin in order to
satisfy this secret laundering after fashiona-
BILE necessaries !! Could the real cause OF
many failures be known, It would be found
to result from useless expenditures at
home expenses to answer the demands Of
fashion and what will people think2"
my wife has made my fortune" said q
gentleman Of great possessions, "by her
thrift and prudence, and cheerfulness,
when was just beginning"
"And mine has lost my fortune" an
swered his companion, "by useless extrav-
agance and repining when l was doing
WE'LL"
What Q world does this open to the 10.
fluences which 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 on q small
scale. is too common for young house
keepers to begin where their mothers ended
Buy all that is necessary to work skillfally
with; adorn your house with all that will
make it comfortable. Do not look at rich.
er homes, and oovet their costly furniture
II secret dissatisfaction is ready to spring
up, go step further and visit The home.
Of the suffering poor; behold dark, cheer
less apartments, insufficient clothing, AND
absence OF Ill the comforts and refinement,
ofeocial life, and then retusn 10 your owl
with joyful spirit. You will then b,