Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-07
Tatfs aud Sketehes.
MANY A LITTLE MAKES A MICKLI.
lCoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. /
BI MRS. s. =. DOUGHTY.

l..
Some things is an indefinite term, which
generally means not few. 1t was GER
tainly so in this instance.
| 1t was really wonderful how many alb
solute necessities the Waltons had hither-
to lived without. No wonder that they
hastened to supply their wants, now that
their income had so considerably increas-
ed. The old carpets If you could have
seen them. Neat enough when they were
down, to be sure, but sadly thin and faded
when held up to the light for inspection.
1t certainly was time that new ones were
purchased, for these had done good SER
vice, and when people move into q new
house, they like to have new things, If
possible. SO the carpets were bought.
and a half-dozen neat chairs, with one or
two other Indispensable articles, swelled
the bill to fifty dollars.
''Cheap enough at that" said Mrs. Wal
ton, and no one could dispute the truth OF
this assertion; nevertheless, as Uncle John
would have said, there was but one hun
dred LETT, and what was still more unpleas-
ant, as there was a deficiency of ready
money, nothing could be paid for now,
and certain part of the monthly salary
must be laid by TO meet the bills when
they became due.
But these things were but little thought
of. Another fifty was expended in various
little extras-artices of clothing-which
to be sure, they had meant to do without.
ETC., etc. Everybody knows how easy it
to make way with fifty dollars. Besides
| all these things, there were certain chang
es attendant upon their removal which
rendered it more difficult to economize so
strictly as hitherto. 1t was very pleasant
to have nice spare room for friend
Mrs. Walton had always coveted this lux
ury. and there was little difficulty in keep
ing it occupied, for both she and her hus-
band had an abundance of acquaintance
who were well pleased to have so COM
Portable home for some three or four
weeks in the year.
More company rendered more help nee
essary, and therefore a young girl was
engaged to assist in the care of the child
and to lend Biddy a helping hand in
time of need.
This would really be saving" ar
gued the mistress, ''for now there would
be time to attend to the sewing and as
sistance from seamstress would be un-
necessary.
But somehow or other, there was an
| unusual quantity of work TO do at this par
the seamstress could not so readily be dis
pensed with.
Three or four months passed by, and
there was Il shadow on Mr.. Walton's
brow. What could it mean? He was al
ways so cheerful and happy in his home,
and now everything was so prosperous
with him. One would have supposed
that all care and anxiety were at an end.
Still the shadow deepened, until it might
be called 4 cloud. His wife became alarm
ed
''Arc you i'll, lIenry?" she asked anx-
iously, as she watched the expression of
his face, as he was about leaving the
house
mo. Annie, not i'll. Why should you
think so ?''
because you look so unlike yourself
Surely, something must be wrong Why
not confide in me o.
II will do so, Annie. have hesitatcd
only through fear of troubling YOU This
evening you shall know all. l must away
to my business now. The hour is later
than usual"
With somewhat melancholy forebod-
ing. Mrs. Walton pursued her customary
occupations. She had no distinct impress
sion of what the trouble might be, but that
it was Of serious nature she had no
doubt, from its effect upon the uniformly
cheerful disposition other husband.
Uncle John called, and rallied her upon
her uncommon gravity.
"What baby has bumped his head to
day, Annie ?n
Neither, Uncle John"
'What is the matter, then? Does The
little account book show too long row of
iigures?'
THE account book! Oh, | gave that
up some time ago. Henry and l agreed
that. as there was no longer any necessity
tor counting every penny so carefully. i,
was foolish waste of time to write down
every little item of expense
\ very expressive ''humphn was Uncle
.lohn's only reply, and finding his neice
little inclined to conversation, he soon took
leave.
The hours wore slowly away, and once
more the little ones We're asleep, and hus-
band and wife sat together by the glowing
CRATE.
And now will tell you all, Annie.
We are in debt to the amount of two hun
drcd dollars, and we have no means TO
pay it,
''ln debt, Henry How is that posi-
bleo We have always lived within our
income, and now il is larger than ever be-
| fore"
VERY trnc, Annie; and in those few
words lies The whole secret of our trobles.
With the increase Of my salary we in
creased our expenses in Il fearful proper
tion. Our carpets and other little extras
have never been paid for. The bills are
now presented. and not one cent has been
laid by TO meet them. On the contrary,
find myself far in advance of my next
quarters salary"
Mrs Walton was silent, and her hns-
band continued:
'Do not think that blame you, Annie;
1t it myself that blame. have neglect
ed my usual weekly examination into the
state of affairs, and this is the result. II Is
a bitter lesson to me, for debt is my alb
horrence."
And mine, Also replied the wife, in
tone in which sadness and self-upbraiding
were mingled: for her conscience whis-
pered that there had been ihoughtlessness,
to say the least, in her conduct. Then. as