New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-14
Hsw ORLEANS RlPUBIloAN SUNDAY psosHBsR a. ISIS

home, che felt at least, n inch taller than
usual. Chester began to hObbl0 about on
crutches during the harvest season, only 20
find as he had feared, that the farm had
been neglected, and Fas not going to meet
not complain of Nellie's work, however. for
she had not let the dairy suffer; 90 that from
that, and the other sources, he could nearly
meet the five hundred dollar payment
"Nellie's money wOulG just make 1t, think. "
said be to himself. but although he limited
again OF the lack, and her ability to meet it,
she was strangely slow to understand, and
would innocently inquire: "What can you
do, Chesterf"
He was too proud to ask her outright for
her hard earned money, but he thought
half angrily, "Why doesn't she offer tf she
ought to know l need it." But he did not
know how often she longeG to do it, only
being restrained by her determination that
he should ask and find out how good 1t
seemed.
One day q peremptOry note from Mr.
Goldthwait, saying that the payment WAS
| due and must be made before night brought
matters to q crisis.
Nellie saw the messenger who brought
the unwelcome note and saw her husband
as he leaned against the garden fence to
1 read it, and pitied him 30 much that she
1
once, but he turned toward the house and
| sac sat down quietly to her sewing, not
| looking up even wi hen she heard his crutch
coming thump, thump. thump, across the
| floor.
'Nellie, it's just as feared. Hear this"
| and then he read the missive, with its cruel
| threat that unless the money WAS brought
that night Mr.. Goldthwait would take the
| place.
''Isn't that too bad. What will you do T.
asked Nellie sympathizingly.
| II can't make up the $500 unless you let
me have your money, now that is fact
was the desperate answer.
"Well, l will see what 1 can do" said
| Nellie, cody, as she brought forth her
| treasure.
"There is ten. that will buy q new dress;
and ten, cloak; and five. hat or bonnet;
| and ten-I shall need that for boots, gloves
and other little things. l think / can let
you have SIS" looking up innocently. A
grieved look spread all over Chesters face;
the corners of his mouth began to twitch,
and if he had not been man and six feet
high he w0uld have cried.
"Nellie!' that was al hs could cay.
"WhatW and then Nellie had both arms
around bis neck, and the bills were all
thrust into his hand. 81 meant you should
have them all, she sobbed.
''What made you act SO, thenf How
could you be 500 provokingp said
Chester.
Then Mrs. Nellie sat up very straight,
and said she, Il" Did you hate to ask me for
that money, ChesterT
"You know did," was the answer
well, why havn't you asked for it be-
fors3"
Because you knew / wanted it days and
days ago; and thought you ought to offer
it. Of course. didn't want to come to you
like some old beggar," said Chester.
Nellie clapped her hands. II want to
:" There was once q girl who had always |
earned her money, and fought her way in |
the world alone, and succeeded well, too"
"But she was foolish enough to get mar |
ried; and then che had to work twice as |
hard as ever before, and have double the |
care; but for all that, she never received |
single penny without asking her husband |
knowing what she received in return.
''NOw this was very humiiiating; and |
sometimes she would think she never could 1
ask again, and then she would cry and cry,
and oh, Chester, you don't know how have
cried, it seemed $780," and Nellie's head
went down again.
"Why, Nellie! why, darlingi never
it's different, you know, with you. Women
bards-"
at isn't one bit different, either!r cried
Nellie, dashing the tears away. Il am as
sensitive as you are; and there's nothing l
dread worse than asking for money. Hun
dreds of women feel just so, too, only it's
the custom for them to be domestic beggars, |
and they dislike to make fuss; but I'd like |
to hear one say she admires the cussm."
why haven't we right to use part of
our earnings after as well as before we are
marriedf
"Well, you have. But supposed you
would ask for what you wanted. My mother
always"
'But see how hard it is to ask for what
you feel ought to be freely given" inter
rupted his wife. "Of course feel as anx-
ons to pay OFT our debts as you do, 80 l
would not be extravagant; hut if l could
nave ever so little and feel that it was
and rightfully mine-don't
7ou see how much more pleasant it would
BET Then, if l wanted to give q dollar to |
,he missionary cause, 1 could calculate my .
expenses just as l used to, and practice 4
title seif-denial, and doit. Don't you see. I
hat as it is women can't know much about I
he luxury of giving9 just pnt yourself in 6
ny place, and think how ridiculous it would
make you feel, to be obliged to come TO my {
pocket every time you wanted to be chart /
able"
"Oh, my can't imagine such thing | &
wouldn't do it, you see" laughed Chester. t
"Nor would any man. Now do you think q
ought tot" asked Nellie. {
''No, do not. and you shan't be obliged i
o suffer SO again, promise you; but really, '
meyer thought but it was natural and all
light for you to-" G
You will know better after this" said 2
'elle, "but l suppose you are anxious to '
o to MIR: Goldthwait's, so will not d tain l,
Gu" She stood at the window and s
'atched lin, as he rode away, with light t
cart; for she felt that what mad 30 threat a
ned to mar her domestic happiness was n
anished forever. n
Nellie never taught again, save when she
established an infant school in her own 81
itcLen; but no subscii ption paper ever Il
ave her Sinking feelings" nor did she e
yer resume the trade Of cobbler; for in her .
wn little purse was punotualy deposited b
hat Chester laughingly called her month II
dividends" +,
Hon. p. b. 3. Pinchbnck. b