Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-09-15
What the Paint Cost.

Early Saturday evening, At the desk In the
snug corner Of her newly-painted grocery, sat
Mrs. Webster, figuring up the columns In her
ledger, aud holding herself ready to meet any
who might call, for the purpose Of settling their
accounts.
Since her husband died she had taken hold
Of the business with earnestness and energy,
showing that sometimes woman can do more
than a man, even on his own ground. She had
shown good taste and judgment, not only In the
purchase and sale Of her goods, but also In the
good order and nsatness that reigned every
where.
Presently in came Philip Phillips, mechaA-
ie and customer. HIS Dill now amounted TO
upward of twenty dollars, large amount for
him, for Of late Mrs. Webster considering his
Incorporate habits, had seldom allowed him
credit to any great extent.
~ can pay you twelve dollars to night, Mrs.
Webster; sorry it's no more" said Philip stum-
bling up to the desk.
"I am sorry, too, Philip. 1t Is not what like
to say-for your VITA and ehdren's sake, re-
gret TO say it-but we will have to let the bal
ance of this account stand till next pay day,
and not let 1t grow any. 1 will sell right cheap
for cash, you understand; and tonight will
give you receipt.
Phillip took long breath. Half sitting aud
half leaning on the bench at the side OF the
desk, he looked about while Mrs. Webster vas
writing offthe receipt.
To change the subject for he felt ancomfort-
able under the implied refusal to trust him till
the balance Of the account was paid-he began
to praise the looks Of this store In its new drsss
of paint and fixtures.
dIt looks very nice in here since you painted
up. It takes woman to get ahead In the
| world. It must have cost big sum to paint
up after this fashion,"
at has not cost SO much, Mr.. Phillips,
hope you will take 1t kindly If speak candidly;
| it Is fact IL has not cost me more to paint my
store, than IL has TO paint your nose."
| Philip started back confused and angry, his
| cheeks almost as red as his nose. But remem-
bering that it was lady in whose presence he
stood, he checked himself and said:
"That's considerable liberty, Mrs Webster;
that's right down personal"
"Now Philip you must bear with my plain
/ ness. You know as plainly as can tell you,
with that wife Of yours and children, too, you
might bo In as prosperous condition as am
| You are getting good wages, but at the rate you
are going on, nobody knows ho W long 1t vii
last.
To make a calculation how much 1t will cos
to keep you In drink or what Is the same thing
to paint your nose-you must add TO what you
pay the bar tender, various losses and draw
backs which the tippllng always occasion. Yot
know that things go wrong at home on the nc
count oft. For instance, your being custo
mer at the dram shop is the reason your wifi
cannot afford to keep girl, and being at time
quite overworked, she has an occasional attacl
8 Of sickness, and then you have doctors bill b
pay. Your loss Of credit Is no doubt a dissd
. vantage, and some-niind, l say 1t for YOU ben
4 eft-some havo lost their positions thro' thei
D Incorporate habits. and have gone down hill
= from that time. Perhaps you've heard the fur
!. ny remark that when man begins to 60 dow
hill he finds everything creased for the occasion
i 10 paint ones nose costs more and more, an
,, last 1t may ecst the mans his life-and, whl
y is infinitely Of more Importance 1t Is likely
I cost him his soul too. If you would save q
rs then make it a settled point never to 60 insid
10 OF the drinking saloon"
al With his face very red Philip made an awl
ss ward bow, aud thanking Mrs. Webster for h,
10 advice he went out.
Z, 1t was his intention to 90 to Van LenAep
= saloon-where he had bill TO pay--for Phil
, imagining himself to be An honest man, ,thoug
.. that he tried as well as he knew how TO pay
way in the world. One thing he had know
a for a long tims-he had nothing to lay by at h
end Oft the week, and now he was going benin
ihand.
J, Outside he met q youngster, the son Of
man who was once neighbor, but now ha
iny risen in the world, he lived In anoth
:, | street.
"Mr. Phillips" said tho boy. 81 was just 4
ing over to your house to sec II Mrs. Phlli
don't know Of any woman who'll come al
wash for us on Monday morning-or may
she will come herself-mother told me 10 .
| her."
}. "Well that's queer in your mother to tell y,
,a so. My wife don't 60 out washing"
81 suppose that this ls all so, Mr.. Phillips.
Y. But mother said Mrs Phillips had been ov
y: there, and said she didn't know but she wou
ms ms have to do little In that way-wash
ne iron, or something Of that kind-to get mon
TO buy clothes for herself, such as she wou
" " like to have. You mustn't blame me or moth
Ii either for asking her about It,"
Enough said," muttered Phillip. "My vi
ut don't 60 out washing or ironing either. T
- your folks that for me-"
As the boy went on his way, Philip sto
J. irresolute, gloomily ponderisg what he
heard.
lie "She 20 out washing Never; not evep
nd a friend. But then, II We are going down
M who knows but she will have to come TO
M M,ev yet"
''' Philip finally concluded that he would not
in to Van Lennep's that evening, but would
- him wait till the end of next month tor his p
He had two reasons for going there; he felt