The Van Buren press., 1872-03-26
MISCELLANY.
The Managing Wife.

Ezra Newton had just finished looking
over his yearly accounts. "Weil, ask
ed his wife, locking up, "how do you
come out y
IL find. said her husband, "that my
expenses during the last year have been
thirty seven cents over thousand dol
lars b."
And your income has been thous-
and dollars ~
"Yes. managed pretty well, didn't
II"
DO You think it managing well to
exceed your income p said the wife.
"What is thirty seven cents? p asked
Mr. Newton lightly.
Not much, to he sure, but still some
thing. 1t seems to me that we ought to
have saved, instead Of falling behind. >
But how can we save on this salary.
Elizabeth We haven't lived extrava-
gantly. Still it seems to have taken it
all.
Perhaps there is something in which
we might retrench. Suppose you men
ton some Of your items y
"The most important are: House
rent. $50; and articles of food, $500. "
"Just half ~
"Yes. and You'll admit we can't re
trench there, Elizabeth like to live
we'll | had enough OF poor board be
fore was married. Now, | mean to
live as well as can.
"Stll, we ought to be saving mp
something against some rainy day,
Ezra.
That would be something like carry
ing an umbrella when the sun shines.
"Sull it is well to have an umbrella
in the house.
~ cant controver' your logic, Eliza
b Is Save Ia ainyar rfi fis y Ssa' ''W Wnssss ss asIs 81.
my salary raised it will lc time enough
to think Of that.
Let me make proposition to you, "
said Mrs. Newton. "You say one half
of your income has been expended on ar
ticles of food, Are YOU willing to allow
me that sum for the purpose 2"
"You guaranteeing to pay all bills
out Of IT."
Yes
Then | will SHIFT .he responsibility
on you with pleasure But can tell
you beforehand. that ron wont be able
to save much out of "
perhaps not Atany rate, will en-.
gage not u exceed it "
"That's we'll shouldn't relish hav
ing any additional bulls to pay As am
paid every month, will at each pay
mcnt, hand you halt he money.
The different character Of husband and
wife may he judged rom the convcrsa.
ton which has been recorded Mr. New
ton had but little prudence or foresight.
He lived chiefly for the present, and
seemed to fancy that whatever contin.
gences might arise in the future, he
would somehow be provided for. Now,
trust in providence il very proper feel
ing, bat there is good deal OF truth in
the old adage that God will help those
who help themselves
Mrs. Newton. on the con rary, had
been brought up in family which was
compelled to he economical; and, al
though she was not disposed to deny
herself comforts. yet she felt that it was
desirable 10 procnrc then at q fair price,
The time at which this conversation took
place was at the commencement of the
second year of their married life.
The first step which Mrs Newton took
on accepting the charge Of the house
hold expenses, was TO institute the prac-
ticc OF paying cash for all articles that
came under her department. She ac.
eordinsly called on the butcher and in
quired
How often have you been in the hab.
it Of presenting your bill, Mr.. vii
liams ~
"Oncc in six months, was the reply
"And suppose you sometimes have
bad bills y
"Yes, one third ot my profits. on an
average, are swept Of by some OF them. -
And YOU could afford, suppose. to
sell somewhat cheaper for ready mon.
eyr"
"Yes; and would be glad il all my
customers would give me chance to do
So"
II will set them an example. then. "
said Mrs. Newton. thereafter, what
ever articles shall he purchased Of you
will be paid for on the spot, and we will
expect you to sell as reasonable as
you can.
This arrangement was also made with
others, who, it is scarcely necdful TO say,
were very glad to enter into the arrange.
mont Ready money is the great sup.
port Of trade, and cash customer is
worth two who purchase on a credit.
Fortunately Mrs. Newton had small
supply of money Ivy her. which lasted
till the first monthly installmeut from
her husband became due Thus she was
enabled to carry out her cash plan from
the beginning
Another plan, which occurred to her as
likely to save expense. was to purchase
articles In large quantities She had
soon saved enough from the money al
lowed hor to do this. For example. in.
stead fhuyinO sugar a few mounds Mt n