Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-03-21

it best, on the whole, not to inform Char
lie, enjoying in anticipation the pros
pect of being able, at some future time,
to surprise him with the unexpected
amount of their savings.
At the close of every month the tin
box was emptied, and the contents were
transferred to a bank of more prcten-
sions, where interest was allowed When
the sums deposited there became large
enough, Mrs. Lynford, who had consd-
cradle business capacity, withdrew them
and invested in bank and other stocks,
which would yield larger per cent. OF
her mode of arrangement her husband
remained in ignorance. Nor did he ever
express any desire to be made acquainted
with his wifc's management He was an
easy, careless fellow, spending as he
went, enjoying the present and not feel
ing any particular concern about the
future
At the end of eight years, during
which time he had been unusually ia
vored by health, his books showed that
he had not exceeded his income; but
that, on the other hand, he had saved
nothing. Twenty-Five cents to his credit
Running pretty close, Carrie" he
said laughing; Il take credit to myself
of keeping on the right side of the line.
But suppose you have saved an immense
sum y
" How much do you think p asked his
wife.
30, perhaps hundred dollars, said
Charles Lynford, carelcssly. though it
would take good many dimes to do
that"
His wife smiled. but did not volunteer
to enlghten him as to the correctness of
bis conjecture. So things went on till at
length came the panic of 1851 panic
so recent that it will be recollectcd by
many readers of this sketch 1t will be
remembered how universally business and
trade of every kind were depressed at
this period-among others the trade which
occupied Charles Lynford suffered. One
evening he came home looking quite Sc
rious AN expression which seldom came
over his cheerful face
Caroline, who watched the signs of
the times, was not unprepared to see this.
She had expected that her husbands bu-
sncss would be affected
What is the matter, Charles ~ she
asked chccrfully
The matter is, that we shall have to
eeonomize greatly"
Anything unfavorablc turned up in
business mattersY'
should think they had. | shall
have but half days work for some time to
come, and am fraid that even this will fail
before long. You have no idea, Carrie,
how dull business of every kind has be-
come"
/ think | have" said his wife quiet
ly. " have read the papers carefully.
and have been looking ont for something
of this kind"
DO you think we shall be able to
cconomize 2" asked her husband.
i think we shall be able to do so. -
Both of us are well supplied with cloth
ing, and shall not need any more for
year at least. That will cut off consid-
cradle expense; then there are great
many little superdnities you are kind
enough to bring home to me frequently,
which can do very well without. Then
we can live more plainly have less pies
and cakes, aud | have no doubt it will
be an improvement 50 far as health is
concerned. ."
What a calculator, Carrie = said her
husband, feeling considerably easier in his
mind. Il really think. after all you
have said, that it won't be so hard to
live on our usual incomc-for the pre-
sent at least But" and his countcnance
again changed suppose my work should
entirely fail suppose you couldn't re-
duce our expenses to nothing at all,
could you Z"
" That certainly surpasscs my pow
crs," said his wife. smiling, but even
in that case there is no ground for dis
couragement. You have not forgotten
our savings bank have you?
Why, no: didn't think of that,
! said her husband; Il suppose that
would keep off starvation for a few weeks
His wife smiled. "And in those
weeks" she added, business might
revive"
To be sure" added her husband. -
Well, | guess it'll be all right-Tll
not trouble myself about it any longer"
The approximations to which Charles
Lynford had given expression proved to
be only too well founded. In less than
month from the date of the convcrsa-
ton last recorded, the limited supply of
work which he bad been able to secure
entirely failed, and he found himself
without work of any kind thrown back
upon his own resources. Although he
had anticipated this, it seemed unexpect-
cd when it actually came upon him. and
he again returned home in fit of disap-
pointment. He briefly explained to his
wife the new calamity which bad come
upon him. " And the worst Of it is.
there is no hope of better times until
spring"
" Do you think that business will re-
vive then p asked his wife.
at must BY that time; but there are
five or six months between. | don't
know how we are to live during that
time"
II do" said his wife quietly.
"You!" exclaimed her husband, in
surprise.
" Yes; your income has never been
more than six or seven hundred dollars.