Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-02-08

| "Tell your wife - The word.
were in his mind, and would keep re
peating themselves.
Cant you say where you are 60
ing; Aaron? Why do you make :
mystery of it?"
"Oh, it's only on a matter Of busi
ness. I'm going to see MIR Law
renee"
Edward Lawrence ?"
eyes"
"Tell your wife ~ The word.
seemed almost as it uttered aloud il
his ears.
What are you going to see hin
about ?"
Tell her I"
Mr.. Little stood irresolute. Wha,
good would telling her do?
What's the matter, Aaron
You've been dull of some time past
Nothing going wrong with you, ]
hope ? And his wife laid her hand
upon his arm, and leaned toward him
in kind way.
Nothing was wrong" he answer
ed in an evasive manner, " Business
has been dull this season."
"Ias it F? I'm sorry. Why didn'l
you tell me ?"
"What good would that have
done ?"
1T might have done great dea'
of good. When mans business is
dull, his wife should look to the house
hold expenses but if she knows
nothing about it she may go on in Q
way that is really extravagant under
the circumstances. ] think that mer
ought always to tell their wives when
anything is going wrong"
"You do?'
Certainly do. What better rea
son can you want than the one have
given? Ifshe knows that the income
is reduced, as prudent wife, she vii
endeavor to reduce the expenses. -
Hadn't you better take off your coat
and sit down and talk to me a little
before you 90 to see Mr.. Lawreece ?''
Mr.. Little permitted his wife tc
draw off his overcoat, which she took
into the passage and replaced on the
hatrack. Then returning into the
parlor, she said
Now, Aaron, talk to me as freely
as you choose. Don't keep anything
back. Whatever tho trouble is, let
me know it to the full extent"
"Oh, there's no great trouble yet.
am only afraid Of trouble. ! see
it coming, and wish to keep out of the
way. Betsy"
- That's wise and prudent" said
Betsy. Now tell me why are you
going to see Mr.. Lawrence"
Mr.. Little let his eyes fall on the
floor, and sat for some moments in sill
ence. Then looking up, he said
"The truth is, Betsy, | must have
more capital in my business. There
vii! be no getting along without it,
Now Mr.. Lawrence can command, or
at least says he can command ten
thousand pounds. / think he would
like to join me- He has said as much
two or three times"
." Are you going to see him on that
business 7"
Il was"
"Don't do it," said Mrs. Little EN-.
phatically.
"Why mott Z" asked Aaron.
because he isn't the man for you
not if lie had ~ enty thousand
pounds"
"Because is no reason" replied
Aaron Little.
"The extravaganza of his wife is,'
was answered firmly.
"What do you know about her ?"
"Only what l have seen. I've
called on her two or three times, and
have noticed the style in which her
house is furnished. 1t is arrayed in
palace attire compared with ours
And as for dress, it would take the
interest Of little fortune to pay her
milliner's and mantaumaker's bill. No,
no, Aaron, Mr.. Lawrence isn't your
man, depend on it. He'd use up the
ten thousand pounds in less than two
years"
Well, Betsey, that's pretty clear
talk" saiu Mr.. Little, taking long
breath. "I'm rather afraid, after
what you say, that Mr.. Lawrence is
not my man. But what am to do?''
and his voice fell into troubled tone.
81 must have more capital; Or"
Mr. Little paused.
"Or what ?" His wife looked al
him steadily, and without any sign ol
weak anxiety.
"Or l may become bankrupt"
Sim sorry to hear you say that,
Aaron" and Mrs. Little's voice trem.
bled perceptibly. But Pm glad
you've told me. The new parlor car
pet, Of course, shall not order"
ooh, as to that, the amount it will
cost can make no great difference
said Mr.. Little. The parlor does looI
shabby; and l know you've set you
heart on new carpet"
Indeed, and it ,oiU make a differ
ence, them" replied the little woman
lin her decided way. "The last feath
er breaks the camel's back. Aaron
Little shall never fail because Of hi
wifc's extravaganza. | wouldn'
have new carpet now II 1t were OF