Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-01
iNO. 1885,


well, and don't know but better than last
year. when we spent five hundred"
Its knack, Ezra" said his wife smiling.
She was not inclined to mention how
much she had saved She wanted some
time or other to surprise him with it when
1t would be Of some service. M
"She may possibly have saved up
twenty-five dollars, thought Mr.. Newton,
cor some such triHe," and so dismissed
the matter from his mind. fg esd 81
At the end of the second year, Mrs.
Newton's savings including the interest.
amounting to three hundred and fifty dol
lars, and she began to feel quite rich
Her husband did not think to INQUIRE
how she had succeeded, supposing as be-
fore, that it could be but very small sum.
However, he had piece of good news
to communicate. His salary had been
raised from thousand to twelve hundred
dollars.
He added: "As | before allowed YOU
one half of my income for household ex-
penses, it is no more than fair | should do
so now. That will give you better
chance to save part OF it than before. In
deed, don't know how you have sue
ceeded in saving anything thus far. =
AS before, Mrs. Newton merely said that
she had saved something, without speci-
flying the amount.
Her allowance was increased to six
hundred dollars, but her expenses were
not proportionately increased at all so
that her savings for the third year swelled
the aggregate sum in the savings bank to
six hundred dollars.
Mr.. Newton, on the contrary, in spite of
his increased salary, was no better off at
the end of the year than before. His ex-
penses had increased by hundred dol
lars, though he would have found it diff
cult to tell in what way his comfort or
happiness had been increased thereby. In
spite of his carelessness in regard to his
own affairs, Mr.. Newton was an excellent
man in business, and his services were
valuable to his employers. They accord
ingly increased his salary, from time to
time, till it had reached sixteen hundred
dollars. He had steadily preserved the
habit OF assigning one-half to his wife for
the same purpose as heretofore, and this
had become such habit that he never
thought to inquire whether she found it
necessary to employ the whole or not.
Thus ten years rolled away. During all
this time Mr. Newton lived in the same
hired house for which he had paid an an
nual rent of one hundred and fifty dollars
Latterly, however, he had become dissat-
islied with it. Ithad passed into the hands
of a new landlord, who was not disposed
to keep it in the repair which he consider
ed desirable.
About this time block of excellent
houses were erected by capitalist, who
designed to sell or let them as he had an
opportunity. They were more modern
and much better arranged than the one in
which Mr.. Newton now lived, and he felt
Il strong desire to move into one of them
He mentioned it to his wife one morning.
''What is the rent, Ezra ?'' inquired she.
Two hundred and twenty-five dollars
for the corner house; two hundred for
either of the others"
1.-The corner one would be preferable ON
account of the side windows a
'Yes, and they have large yard be-
sides. think we must hire one of them
| guess I'll engage one to-day; you know
our year is out next week"
please wait, Ezra, till tomorrow be-
fore engaging one"
''For what reason?" u.--.-t.
II should like to examine the house."
Very well, suppose tomorrow will
be sufficiently early"
Soon after breakfast Mrs. Newton CALI
ed on Squire Bent, the owner OF the new
block, and intimated her desire to be shown
the corner house. The request he readily
complied with. Mrs. Newton was quite
delighted with all the arrangements, and
expressed her satisfaction.
'Are the houses for sale or to let ?" she
inquired.
Either said the owner.
The rent is, understand, two hundred
and twenty-five dollars"
Yes, | consider the corner house worth
at least twenty-five dollars more than the
rest"
"And what do You charge for the house
to cash purchaser ?" asked Mrs. Newton
with subdued eagerness. 6
-Four thousand dollars cash." was the
reply, land that is but small advance on
the cost
"Very well, will buy it of you, added
Mrs. Newton quietly.
"What did l understand you to sayp
asked the Squire, scarcely believing his
ears. a
II repeat that will buy this house at
your price, and pay the money within
week"
IHth thc uouoc Is yours. DuU your
husband said nothing of his intention, and
in fact did not know"
THAT he had the money to invest, /
suppose you would say. Neither does he
know it, and | must ask you not to tell him
for the present"
The next morning Mrs Newton invited
her husband to take walk, but without
specifying the direction.
They soon stood in front of the house in
which he desired to live.
"Would't you like to go in ?" she asked.
"1es. It's pity we haven't got the
key"
Il have the key" said his wife, and
forthwith walked up the steps and proceed
ed to open the door Ew
when did you get the key of Squire
Bent ?" asked the husband.
yesterday, when bought the house,
said his wife quietly. m.e
Mr.. Newton gazed at his wife in pro-
found astonishment. sst aa..FL
..What on earth do you mean Elizabeth ?