The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-04-05
The Savings Bank.
A TALE OF HARD TIMES

''Hello, Carrie, what's thai?' he asked curl
ously.
"only little purchase made to-day saif
his wife,
"But what is it meant for n he asked again
"Let me illustrate, said his wife play ayisals-e
i'Haye you a tcn-cent piece win you 2 $50
Charles drew dime from his waiscoat pocket
His wife taking it from bis hand dropped il into
the box through the slit in the top.
Charles laughed $50 you have taken to
boarding, Carrie? Has my little wife become a
miser 2''
''No, only little prudent. But seriously
Charles that is what ! want you to do every
night
rangement o. yours?''
Exactly"
every well that " i'll be easy enough. A dime
a day is not Il great sam Bat may know what
you are going 10 Do with his new y-commenced
hoard2 p
| Lay il up for Il rain, day, Caroline answered
Charles laughed merril, "A nd what will
dime day amount to p he inquired.
| ''In year it will amouGI '-commeGced his
| wife seriously
80, never nind--spare the calculation II
sounds too much like business aud get enough
OF that during the day
''But you don't object TO my plan p
| 'Not in the least | have no doubt il is very
commendable; but you know Carrie, was never
| gifted with such prudence
III am aware of that, said his wife smiling.
| This ended the conversation for the time. The
| plan inaugurated by the young wife was steadily
carried out She was not one OF those (of whom
| there are so many who enter upon new plan
zealousy but soon tire o. it, In the present case
she was thoroughly satisfied OF the wisdom of her
| purpose, and resolved to carry it through. Eve
ry morning she called upon her husband for a
dime which was forthwith added TO the accumu-
lation. Frequently he had no change but would
toss her twenty five cents instead. She would
assure him aughingy that this would answer
her purpose equally as well. More than once
Charlie would banter her about her little savings
bank, which she bore gaily But these were not
the only accessions the fund received. Her bus |
band had early arranged TO make ample allow |
ance for dress-l say ample, though dare say |
some Of my city readers might have considered it |
so, but Caroline-who was in the habit of making |
her own dresses-provided herself with good |
wardrobe at much less expense than some not |
so well versed in the science of managing could
have done. After considerable calculation she |
came to the conclusion that ont of her allowance
she should be able TO make daily deposit equal |
to that which she exacted from her husband OF
this, however, she thought it best, on the whole,
not to inform Charlie, enjoying in anticipation
the prospect 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 10 |
bank of more pretentons, where interest was al |
lowed. When the sums deposited there became |
large enough, Mrs. Lynford, who bad considera-
BILE business capacity, Withdrew them and invest
ed in bank and other stocks, which wou.u yleis 7
larger per cent OF her mode of arrangement |
her husband remained in ignorance. Nor did be
ever express any desire to be made acquainted |
with his wi!e's management He was an easy, |
careless fellow, spending as be went, enjoying |
the present and not feeling any particular concern
about the future.
At the end of eight years. during which time
he had been unusually favored by health, his |
books showed that he had not exceeded his in
come ; but that, on the other hand, he had saved |
nothing. Twenty-Five cents TO his credit.
Running pretty close, Carrie p he said laugh |
ing ~ take credit to myself on keeping on the |
right side of the line. But suppose you have
saved an immense sum 2'
"How much do you think ?'' asked his wife.
30, perhaps hundred dollars" said Charles
Lynford, carelessly; "though ii would take
good many dimes to do that"
His wife smiled, but did not volunteer TO en-
Tighten him to the correctness Of his conjecture.
So things went on till at length came the panic
of 1874 panic so recent that it will be recol-
lected 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 be came home
looking quite serious, 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 expect
ed that her husbands business would be affected.
''What is the matter Charles p she asked cheer
fully:
'iThe matter is, that we shall have to econo-
mize greatly
"Anythng unfavorabe turned up in business
matters 2"
II should think they had. | shall have but
half days work for some time to come, and am
afraid that even this will fail before long. You
have no idea Carrie how dull business OF every
kind has become.
81 think have" said his wife quietly 81
have read the papers carefully, ard have been
looking out for something of this kind"
'Do you think we shall he able to economize?"
asked her husband.
81 think we shall be able to do so. Both of
us are we'll supplied with clothing, and shall not
need any more for year at least That will cut
off considerable expense; then there are great
many little superauities you are kind enough TO
bring home to me frequently, which | can do
very well without. Then we can live more plain
ly-have less pies and cskes, and have no doubt
it will be an improvement so far as health is con-
cerned."
"What a calculator, Carrie !" said her hus-
band, feeling considerable easier in his mind
IL really think, after all you have said, that it
won't be so hard to live on our usual income
for the present at least. But" and his counte-
nance again changed, suppose my work she sia
entirely fail suppose you couldn't reduce our
expenses to nothing at all, could you 7"
'That certainly surpasses my powers shd
his wife smiling 'but even in that case ther IS
no ground for discouragement. Yon have lot
forgotten our savings bank have you ~
HWhy, no ; | didn't think of that" said her
husband 81 suppose that would keep off starva-
ton for a few weeks"
His wife smiled. "And in those weeks, she
added, 'tbusiness might revive"
sTo be sure" added her husband. "Well,
guess it'll be all right-Pll not trouble myself
about it any longer"
The apprehensions to which Charles Lynford
had given expression proved to be only too well
founded In less than month from the date OF
the conversation last recorded, the limited sup
ply of work which he had been able to secure en-
tirely failed, and he found himself without work
of any kind-thrown back upon his own re-
sources Although he anticipated this it seemed |
unexpected when it actually came upon him, and |
he again returned home in At of disappoint- |
ment. He briefly explained to his wife the new |
calamity which had come upon him. "And the |
worst of it is there is no hope OF better times I'M
til spring" o.,
asked his wife.
sTt must by that time but there are five OR six |
months between. don't know how we are to |
live during that time"
~ do" said his wife quietly
"You /" exclaimed her husband, in surprise. |
ayes; your income has never been more than |
six or seven hundred dollars, and have no doubt
that we can live six months on two hundred and |
fifty dollars"
HYes, certainly but where is that money to
come from | don't want to 60 into debt; and |
if did, shouldn't know where to borrow"
t'Fortunately, there is no need of IT. said Mrs.
Lynford. "You seem to forget our little savings |
bank"
"But is it possible it can amount to two hun
dred and fifty dollars2" he exclaimed in surprise.
ayes. and six hundred more, replied his wife |
"ImpossibleP
"Wait minute and will prove it,"
Caroline withdrew moment and re.appeared |
with several certificates of bank and railroad |