The Placer herald., 1874-12-19
HOW A WIFE GoTA AN ALLOWANCE.

There were people enough to envy Mli-
cent Haughlon when she was married to
Radcliffe Gates. She was only district
school Icacller, at so much month, Without
home or parents. He was wealthy bank
er, who seemed to have nothing on earth to
do bat to indulge his whims and caprices TO
their uttermost bent, and the world in gen
cral announced its decision that Miy
Haughton chad done uncommonly well for
herself.
But Miliy did not look happy upon that
golden July morning, with the sunshine
streaming through the orel window of the
great breakfast room al Gates PA ce, and
scattering little drops Of gold and crimson
aud glowing purple on the mossy ground OF
he stone colored car2ct.
She was dressed in loose white cambric
wrapper, loored and buttoncd with blue, and
single pearl arrow upheld the shining mass
es of her lovely auburn hair. Her eyes
were deep, liquid hazel; her complexion as
soft and radieni as the dmpled side of al
early peach; and tie little kid-sIippered foot
hat patted the velvet ottoman was as perfect
and tape,ing as sculptor could have wished
Mr.. Gates, from his side Of the damask-
draped table, eyed her with the complacen,
gaze of proprieiorship. She was his wife.
He liked her to look well, just as he wanted
his horses properly groomed and his con
servalores kept in order and he troubled
himself very little about the shadow on her
brow.
"lm in earnest, Radcliff," she said with
emphasis.
80 I suppose, Mrs. Gates" said the
husband, leisurc!y folding his paper-a sign
hat thenews within was thoroughly eXhaur:
ed-''so supposed. But it isn't at al.
worth While TO allow yourself 10 get exc ted
" hen | say thing, Mrs Gates, generally
mean it. Aud repeat, if you need money
,or amy sensible and Necessary purpose,
shall he most wiling aud happy TO accom-
modaie You.
Mile bit her full, red lower lip and
drunmed mpali nily ON the table with her
zen restless fingers. And | am to come
meeAly imploring you for every five-cen
piece happen to wanl?'
'Yes, Mrs. q ties, if you prefer to put
the matter in that light.
Radcliffe, size coaxed, suddenly chang
ing her tone, "do give me an allowance; |
don't care bow little. Don't sut.ject Inc to
the humiliation of pleading for a ltle money
haf-adozen times IA day You are rich. !"
Exactly, my dear, nodded this Bene-
dict; "and that is the way made my iorl-
ue, by looking personally aiterevery onny,
aud mean to keepit up
But think how was mortified yes erd y
when Mrs. Armorer came to k me # !
could subscribe fifty cents towards buying IA
lis.id carr: ge for our washerwoman' child
only Gfy cents--and | had to say, !
must ask my husband to give me the money
when he returns from the city, for had not
even fifty cents Of my own"
"AII very right-nll very proper, said
Mr.. Gates. playing with the huge rope OF
gold that hung across lis chest ill the guise
of watch chain.
"Other ladies are not kept pennless.
"Ihat rests entirely between themselves
and their husbands, Mrs. Gates.
Il will not endure it, " cried Milly, start
ing to her ieet, with cheeks dyed scarlet,
and indi naniy glsteuing eyes.
Mr.. Gates leaned hack in his chair with
provoking compacency.
Il will have money, said Milly deianIly.
"How are you gong to get it my dear z
retorted her spouse, with an aggravating
smile playing around the corner OF his mouth,
"You have no hing OF your own-absolute-
y nothing. The money is all mine, and
mean to keep it,"