Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-02-07
CHARI ESTOWN, NDNDAY, FEBRUARY = Io1O. -

emptied, ana tne coutehS "e'e
savings bank Of more pretensions, where inter
es. would be allowed. When the sums deposi-
ted here became large enough. Mrs. Lynfored,
who had considerable business capacity, with
drew them and invested in bank and other
stocks, which would yield large per eeh'.
+ or her mode Of management her husoaha
rem aimed in complete ignorance. Nor d'd ne
ever express any desire 10 DO made acquainted
with his wife's management He was On easy,
careless fellow, spending as he went. enjoying
the present and not feeling an. particular
concern about the future.
A. the end Of eight years, during which he
had been unusually favored By prosperity in
business and uninterrupted health his books
showed that he had not exceeded his income
but IN the other hand that he had saved abso-
lutcly nothing. Twenty FIVE cents alone stood
to bis credit.
"Running pretty close, isn't it, Carrier he
said. lauglinely. q take credit TO myself
for keeping on the right side Of the line. But
then, l supposc you have saved up an immense
sum-"
eIIow much DO you think ?" asked lis
wife.
80. perhaps hundred dollars" said Charles
Lynford, carelessly; though 1t would take a
good many dimes to do that" T p.
; His wife smiled. but did not volunteer toen-
a tighten him as to the correctness OF his con-
J lecture.
So things went on, till at length came tie
, panic of ls5T-a panic so recent that it vii!
, be remembered hy many readers Of this sketch.
. Il will I've remembered how universally trade
, and business Of every kind were depressed at
thi. period. Among others, the trade which
! occupied Charles Lynford suffered.
One evening he came hnme looking quite
serious-an expression which seldom came over
4 his cheerful face.
. Caroline, who hal watched the signs Of Che
~ times. was not unprepared 70 see this. She
had expected that her husbands business would
b.. be affected
q What is the matter, Charles she asked
i cheerfully.
: "The matter ia, that we shall have to econo
ir mze greatly.
,. Anything unfavorable turned up In busi
, ness matters?"
Il should think there had shall hav
. but half days work for some time to come
in and am afraid that even this will fail befor
4. long. You havn't an idea, Carrie, how dul
M business Of every kind has become"
bt I" think have" said his wife quietly :
IL have read the papers, carefully, aud hav
4 been looking out for something Of this kind.
Do you think we can reduce our expense
ii one-half?' asked her husband, doubtfully.
II think we shall he able to do so. Bot
4 of us are well supplied with clothing, and W
shall not need any more for year, al least
:. That will cut of considerable expense the
there are great many superfuties you are &C
r.. customed 10 buy-lttle things you are kin
N enough to bring home to me frequently, whic
can do very well without Then we can lis
more plainly-havc less pies and cakes aud
have no doubt it will be an Improvement I
far as health is concerned"
.. "What a calculator you are, Carrie!" sal
. her husband, feeling considerably easier
mind. al really think, after all you have saic
~, that it won't he so hard to live on half on
usual iucome-fpr the present, at least. But
and bis countenarcc changed suppose NJ
work should entirely fail, | suppose yo
=. couldn't reduce our expenses to nothing at all
T., C uld you?"
That certainly surpasses my power" sal
his wife, smiling: " bat even ia that case ther
is no ground fr Encouragement. You hav
not forgotten our savings bank, have you ?"
,r "Wby no didn't think Of that" said he
husband al suppose that would keep ot
:. starvation for few weeks"
His wife smiled.
., And in those few weeks" she added
80 &" business might revive"
"1o he sure" said her husband We'll
I guess it'll be all right; I'll no, trouble ny
:. self about it any longer"
- The apprehensions to which Mr. Lyrfnr
u had given expression proved to he only 10
well founded. IN less than a month from IL
e., date Of the conversation inst recorded, tb
limited supply Of work which lie had bee
.. able to secure, entirely failed, aud he f5un
. himself without work of any kind-throwr
, back On his own resources.
70 Although he had anticipated this It SCENE
10 unexpected when it actually came upon hiE
- and again he returned home in fit Of discour
or asement. He briefly explained to his wii
II tie ncw calamity which had come upon them
II And the worst Of it is he added, there
,- no hope Of better times till spring.
q, DO you think business will revive then
y asked his wife
o. 1T must by that time; but there are five q
-, six months between. don't know how W
,e are to live during that time
5 lido said his wife, quietly.
lie 'Youp exclaimed her husband, in surprise
I YES; your income has never been mot
ot than SIX or seven hundred dollars year, an
~ have no doubt we can live six months 0
5, two hundred and fifty dollars."
Yes. certainly; but where is that money