The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-10-17

| ner mode OF management her husbane
remained in complete ignorance. No
did he ever express any desire to b,
made acquainted with his wife's man
agement. He was an easy, careless fel
low, spending as he went, enjoying thu
present, and not feeling any particular
concern about the future.
At the end of eight years, during
which he had been unusually favored
by health, his books showed that he hat
not exceeded his income but that, Oh
the other hand, he had saved nothing
Twenty-Five cents alone stood to hi,
credit.
Running pretty close, Carrie 7" he
said laughingly; al take credit to my
self of keeping on the right side of the
line. But then suppose you have
saved up an immense sum-"
"How much do you think Z" asked
his wife.
"Oh, perhaps hundred dollars" said
Charles Lyrford carelessly, though it
would take a good many dimes to do
that"
His wife smiled, but did not volun-
teer to enlighten him as to the correct
| iiSNo VI lio SOiiJctbulc.
So things went on till at length came
the panic of ls57-a panic SO recent
that it will be recollected by many read
ers of this sketch. 1t will be remem-
bered how universally business and
trade of every kind were depressed at
this period-among others the trade
which occupied Charles Lynford suf-
fered.
One evening he came home, looking
quite serious-an expression which sell
dom came over his cheerful face.
Caroline, who had watched the signs
of the times, was not unprepared to see
this. She had expected that her hus-
bands business would be affected.
"What is the matter, Charles z" she
asked, cheerfully.
1.-THE matter is, that we shall have to
economize greatly"
Anything unfavorable turned up in
business matters p
Il should think they had. I shall
have but half days work for some time
to come, and am afraid that even this
will fail before long. You have no idea,
Carrie, how dull business of every kind
has become"
81 think have" said his wife, quiet
ly. 81 have read the papers carefully,
and have been looking out for something
of this kind"
DO you think we shall be able to
economize Z" asked her husband.
81 think we shall be able to do so.
Both of us are well supplied with cloth
ing, and shall not need any more for a
year at least. That will cut eff consid-
cradle expense; then there are great
many little superhuities you are kind
enough to bring home to me frequent
ly, which can do very well without.
Then we can live more plainly-have
less pies and cakes, and have no doubt
it will be an improvement so far as
health is concerned"
"What calculator you are, Carrie"
said her husband, feeling considerably
easier in his mind. 81 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, "sup-
pose my work should entirely fail
suppose you couldn't reduce our ex-
penses to nothing at all, could you!'
"That certainly surpasses my pow
ers," said his wife, smiling; "but even
in that case there is no ground for dis
You have not forgotten
our savings bank, have you?"
"Why no, didn't think of that"
said her husband. 81 suppose that
would keep off starvation for few
weeks"
His wife smiled.
"And in those few weeks" she added,
" business might revive"
"To be sure" added her husband.
" Well, guess it'll be all right-I'll not
trouble myself about it any longer"
The apprehensions to which Charles
LynfoId had given expression proved to |
be only too well founded. In less than
a month from the date of the conversa-
ton just recorded, the limited supply of
work which he had been able to secure |
failed, and he found himself |
without work of any kind-thrown back
upon his own resources.
Although he had anticipated this, it |
seemed unexpected when it actually |
came upon him, and he again returned |
home, in fit of disappointment. He
briefly explained to his wife the new
which had come upon him.
"And the worst of it is, there is no
nope of better times until spring"
"Do you think business will revive
hen Z" asked his wife.
at must by that time, but there are |
i've or six months between. I don't |
Know how we are to live during that
ime"
"I do" said his wife, quietly.
"Youp exclaimed her husband, in
urprise.
Eyes; your income has never been
more than six or seven hundred dollars,
md l have no doubt we can live six
months on two hundred and fifty dol
ars."
"Yes, certainly; but where is that
money to come from? don't want to
20 in debt; but if did, shouldn't
lnow where to borrow"
Fortunately, there is no need of it,"
aid Mrs. Lynford. "You seem to for
ret our little savings bank"
But is it possible it can amount to
wo hundred and fifty dollarsf" he ex-
in surprise.
"Yes, and six hundred more" replied
lis wife.
Impossible !"
"Wait a minute, and will prove it"
Caroline withdrew a moment, and
hen reappeared with several certificates
II bank and railroad shares, amounting
% eight hundred dollars, and bank
i i -