Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-12-24

elbow much do you thlnk! asked his vile
30, perhaps a hundred dollars" sale
Charles Lynford, carelessly, s'though II
would take good many dimes to do that. .
His wife smiled, but did not volunteer to
enlighten him as to the correctness of his
conjecture.
So things went on till at length came the
panic of 1857 "a panic SO recent that it will
be remembered by many readers of this
sketch 1t will be remembered how univer-
sally trade and business Of every kind were
depressed at this period among others the
trade which occupied Charles Lynford suffer-
ed. -
One evening he came home looking quite
serious AN expression which seldom came
over bis cheerful face.
Caroline, who had watched the signs Of
the times, was not unprepared to see this
She had expected that her husbands business
would be affected.
"What is the matter, Charles?" she ask
ed cheerfully
s'The matter is, that we shall have to
economist greatly"
Anything unfavorable turned up in bus
mess matters p
II should think there had shall have
but half days work for some time to come,
and am afraid that even this will fail before
long. Yon haven't an idea, Carrie, how
dull business of every kind has become"
II think I have" said his wife, quietly.
81 have read the papers carefully, and have
been looking out for something of this kind. "
"Do you think we can reduce our expen
ses one -half?" asked her husband, doubtful
ly.
81 think we shall be able to do SO. Both
of us are well supplied with clothing, and
shall not need any more for year, at least.
That will cut off considerable expense then
there are great many little superfuities,
you are accustomed to buy-little things you
are kind enough to bring home to me fire.
quently, which I can do very well without.
Then we can live more plainly-have less
pies and cakes, and I have no doubt it will
be an Improvement so far as health is con-
cerned"
t'What a calculator you are, Carrie?" said
her husband, feeling considerably easier in
mind. II really think after all you have
said that it won't be so hard to live on half
our usual income-for the present, at least.
But" and his countenance again changed,
'ssuppose my work should entirely fail
suppose you couldn't reduce our expenses to
nothing at all, could ou?''
''1hat certainly surpassea my powers,
said his wife, smiling, ''but even in that case
there is no ground for Encouragement. You
have not for gotten our savings bank, have
you 2"
"Why, no, I didn't think of that" said
her husband II suppose that would keep
off starvation for few weeks.
His wife smiled.
'.And in those few weeks" she aided,
business might revive"
"To be sure, =" said her husband. "Well,
| guess it'll be all right-I'll not trouble
myself about it any longer"
The apprehensions to which Charles Lynn
ford had given expression proved to be only
too well founded. In less than a month
from the date of the conversation just recor-
ded, the limited supply Of work which he
had been able to secure entirely failed, and
he found himself without work Of any kind
thrown back upon his own resources.
Although he had anticipated this, it SEEM
ed unexpected when it actually came upon
him, and again he returned home in fit of
Encouragement. He briefly explained to his
wife the new calamity which had come upon
them.
"And the worst of it u.s." he added, "there
is no hope of better times till spring"
''Do you think business will revive then p
asked his wife.
'sIt must by that time, but there are five
OR six months between. [ don't know how
we are to live during that time"
81 do" said his wife, quietly.
sYou!" exclaimed her husband, in sur
prise.
ayes; your income has never been more
than six or seven hundred dollars a year,
and have no doubt we can live six months
for two hundred and fifty dollars.
eyes, certainly; but where is that money
to come from I don't want to run in debt,
and if I did shouldn't know where to bor-
row.
"Fortunately, there is no need Of it," said
Mrs, Lynford, s'You seem to forge our lit
tie savings bank"
''But is it possible it can amount to two
hundred and fifty dollars ?" exclaimed
Charles, in surprise.
eyes, and six hundred more," said his
wife.
''Impossible!
"Wait minute and I will prove it,"
Caroline withdrew moment, and then
re-appeared with several certificates Of bank
and railroad shares, amounting to eight hum
dred dollars, and a bank book in which the
balance was deposited by her credit.
care you quite sure you haven't had
legacy % demanded Charles, in amazement.
s'surely dime a day has not produced
this ?"
"No, but two dimes day have, with a
little extra deposit now and then. | think,
Charles, we shall be able to ward off starva
ton for time
Charles Lynford remained out Of employ
ment for some months, but, in the spring, as
he anticipated, business revived, and he was
once more in receipt of his old income
More than two-thirds Of the fund was still
left, and henceforth Charles was no less as
siduous than his wife in striving to increase
it.
The little tin savings bank still stands on
the mantel piece, and never fails to receive a
deposit daily.
TIE OAK AND THE REED.-A Fable
An oak stood on the bank of a river, and
growing at its foot was reed. The oak was
aged, and its limbs were torn away by the
blasts of years; but still it lifted its head in
pride, and looked down with contempt upon
the reed.
At last there came fearful tempest. The
oak defed it, but the reed trembled in every
fibre ..See. . said, the oak. ..the advantage