American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-11-29

''Nelie, it's Just as I feared. Hear
this - and then he read the missive with
its cruel thrust, that unless the money
was brought that night, Mr.. Goldthwait
would take the place.
Isn't that too bads What will you do?"
asked Nellie, sympathizingly.
" can't make up the five hundred I'M
less you let me have your money, now
that is fact" was the desperate answer
g Well, l will see what l can do" said
Nellie, cooily, as she brought forth her
treasure.
There is ten, that will buy new dress !;
and ten, cloak and five hat or bon
net; and ten-I shall need that for boots,
gloves, ana other little things. l think
can let you have fifteen dollars" looking
up innocently. A grieved look spread all
over Chester's face; the corners of his
mouth began to twitch, and if he had not
been a man, and six feet high, he would
have cried.
"Nellie!" that was all he could say.
What? ~ and then Nellie had both
arms around his neck, and the bills were
all thrust into his hand. II meant you
should hare them ALL" she sobbed.
What made you act so, then? how
could you be $3.50 provOking?" said
Chester
and said she, did you hate to ask me for
that money. CHESTER"
on kno,o did, was the answer.
"Well, why haven't you asked for it be-
fores''
because, you kneu l wanted it days
and days ago: and | thought you ought
to offer it. OF course, l didn't want to
come to you like some old beggar," said
Chester.
Nellie clapped her hands. al want to
tell you little story now," said she.
There was once 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 she had to work twice as
hard as ever before, and have double the
care; but for all that she never received a
single penny without asking her husband
for it; nor did she spend one without his
knowing what she received in return.
Now this was very humiliating; and
sometimes she would think she never
could ask again; and then she would cry
and cry, and oh, Chester, you don't know
how l hare cried, it seemed-so," and
Nellie's head went down again.
"Why, Nellie! why, darling! 1 never
thought-why, did you feel like thats But
its different, you know, with you. Women
bands"
ut isn't one bit different, eitherr' cried
Nellie, dashing the tears away. 81 am as
sensitive as YOU are; and there's nothing
l dread worse than asking for money.
Hundreds of women feel just so, too, only
its 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 custom.
NIx,I ". r1,f to, MT
of our earnings after, as well as before we
are married?"
"Well, you have. But supposed you
would ask for what you wanted. My
mother always"
But you see now how hard it is to ask
for what you feel ought to be freely gicen,'
interrupted his wife. "Of course | feel
as anxious to pay off our debt as you do,
so l would not be extravagant; but if L
could have ever so little, and feel that it
was mine-freely and rightfully mine
don't you see how much more pleasant it
would be? Then, if l wanted to give a
dollar to the Missionary cause, l could
calculate my expenses just as l used to,
and practice a little selfdenial, and do it.
Don't you see, that as it is, women can't
know much about the luxury of giuing
just put yourself in my place, and think
how ridiculous it would make you feel, to
be obliged to come to my pocket every
| time you wanted to be charitable.'
"Oh my! can't imagine such a thing! l
ooOuldnt do it, you see," laughed Chester.
"Nor would any man. Now do you
think ought to ?" asked Nellie.
mo, do not, and you shant be obliged
| to suffer again, promise you but really,
l never thought but it was natural, and all
| right for you to-"
You will know better after this said
Nellie; but suppose you are anxious to
| go to Mr.. Goldthwait's, so l will not de
| tain you She stood at the window and
watched him as he rode away, with a
light heart; for she felt that what had sc
threatened to mar her domestic happiness
| was banished forever.
| Nellie never taught again, save wher
she established an Infant school in heI
own kitchen; but no subscription paper
ever gave her sinking feelings" nor die
she ever resume the trade of cobbler; fol-
in her own little purse was punctually de
posted what Chester laughingly callet
her monthly dividends. Woods House
hold Magazine.