Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-12-24
SELECTED STORY.
THE TIN SAVINGS BANK.
A TALE FOR HARD TIMES.
BY HoRATIo ALeER, JR.

.-r
A TALE FOR HARD TIMES.
+
BY HoRATIo ALGER, JR.
Charles Lynford was young mechanic in
good business At the age of twenty six
be had taken to himself as wife Caroline
Eustis, the daughter of a neighbor, who
had nothing to bring him except her own
personal merits, which were many, and hab-
its of thrift, learned in an economical house.
fold under the stern teaching Of necessity
TWAS well, perhaps. that Charles Lyn-
ford should obtain wife Of this character,
since he himself found it very difficult
to save anything from his income.
| 1t was not long before Caroline became
acquainted with her husbands failing. She
could not feel quite easy in; the knowledge
that they were living fully up to their in
come, foreseeing that time would come
when their family would grow more expen-
sive, and perhaps her husbands business,
now fourishing, might become less SO.
| Accordingly one day she purchased Of a
tin pedlar, who came to the door, a little
tin safe: such as children frequently use as
savings bank This she placed conspicuous
ly on the mantel piece, so that her husband
might be sure. to see it on entering.
| "Hallo Carrie, what's that" he asked
curiously.
"Only little purchase / made to-day"
said his wife.
"But what is it meant for p he asked
again.
| "Let me Illustrate" said his wife, play
! fully. "Have you a ten cent piece about
your"
Charles drew dime from his waistcoat
pocket. His wife, taking it from his hand,
dropped it into the box through little slit
at the top.
Charles laughed.
$50 you have taken to boarding, Carrie ?
My little wife become miser p
Ono, only little prudent But serious
| ly, Charles that is what want you to do
every night"
"What-drop dime into this newfangled
arrangement OF yours ?"
EXACTLY" t..~v,syv, 3
every well, that will be easy enough. A
what you are going to do with this newly
commenced hoard p
clay it by for rainy day." answered
Caroline, az. E Z g.
Charles laughed merrily.
':'And what will a dime a day amount tor
he inquired.
Gin year it will amount" commenced
his wife seriously es<t
O. never mind-spare me the calculation!
1t sounds too much like business, and I have
enough of that during the day."
''But you don't object to my plan ?"
"Not in the least. [ have no doubt it is
very prudent and commendable but you
know, Carrie, 7 never was gifted with much
prudence" & b.s.t r. a.
Il am quite aware Of that, said his wife,
smiling.
This ended the conversation for the time.
The plan inaugurated by the young wife
was steadily carried out. She was not one
of those (of whom there are SO many who
enter upon new plan zealously, but soon
tire Of it. In the present case she was thor
oughly satisfied of the wisdom Of her pur-
pose, and resolved to carry it through. Ev-
cry morning she called upon her husband
for dime, which was forthwith added to
the accumulation. Frequently he had not
the exact change, but would toss her quar-
ter instead She would assure him laugh
ingly that this would answer her purpose
equally as we'll.
More than once Charles would banter her
on the subject of her little savings bank, but
this she bore gaily. But these we're not the
only accessions the fund received. Her hus-
band had early arranged to make an ample
allowance for dress-I say ample, though |
dare say some of my city readers might not
have considered it so; but Caroline-who
was in the habit of making up her own
dresses-provided herself with good ward
robe at much less expense than some not
SO we'll yersed in the science Of managing
could have done. 4.
After considerable calculation she came to
the conclusion that out of her allowance she
should be able to make daily deposit equal
to that which she exacted of her husband.
Of this, however, she thought it best, on
the whole, not to inform Charles, enjoying
in anticipation the prospect Of being able, at
some time, to surprise him with the unex-
pected amount Of her savings.
| the close Of every month the tin box
was emptied, and the contents were trans
ferred to a savings bank Of more pretensions,
where interest would be allowed. When
sums deposited here became large enough,
Mrs Lynford, who had considerable business
capacity, withdrew them and invested in
bank and other stocks, which would yield a
large per cent Of her mode Of manage.
ment her husband remained in complete ig-
: norance Nor did he ever cypress any de.
sire to be made acquainted with his wife''
management. He was an easy, careess fell
low, spending as he went. enjoying the pres
ent and feeling no particular concern abou
: the future. Ett fS3Stf lst..
] At the end of eight years, during whicl
he had been unusually favored by prosperlt,
i'll business and uninterrupted health, hi
books showed that he had not exceeded hi
: income, but that on the other hand he hat
: saved absolutely nothing. twenty-five cent
alone stood to his credit
ri ,Jo ;cn1t CorrIa Z