Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1874-10-08
the WIFE's ALLOWANCE.

Gates She was only district school tea her,
| at SO much = month, without home or parents.
He was wealthy banker, who seemed to have
nothing on earth to do but to indulge his whims
aud caprices to their uttermost bent, and the
world in general announced its diction that Nil
ly Haughton "hsd done uncommonly well for
herself"
But Milly did not look happy upon that golden
July morning, with the sunshine streaming
through the oriel window of the great breakfast
room at Gates Palace, and scattering little drops
of gold and crimson, and glowing purple on the
mossy ground Of the stone colored carpet.
She was dressed in loose white cambria
wrapper, looped and buttoned with blue, and a
single pearl arrow upheld tie shining masses Of
her lovely auburn hair. Her eyes were deep,
liquid hazel her complexion soft and radiant
as the dimpled side OF All early peach and the
little kid-slippered foot that patted the velvet
ottoman beneath was as perfect and tapering as
sculptor could have wished ii.
Mr.. Gates, from his side Of tile damask-
draped table, eyed her with the complacent gaze
Of proprietorshIp. She was his wife. He liked
her to look just we'll ~ ho wanted his horses
properly groomed and his conservatories kept in
order and he troubled himself very little about
the shadow on her brow
"Tm in earnest, Radcliffe !" she said with en-
phasis.
ESQ supposed, Mrs. Gates " said the husbsnd,
iSs.,.l . ,atL. a.s ,i.p.. Il,
witluu wss tho..,,..l,fy exLAusted-..so suppos-
cd But it isn't at ell worth while to allow your
self to get excited. When say thing, Mrs.
Gates, generally mean it. And repeat-if you
neei money for any sensible and necessary pur-
pose, shall be most willing and happy to accom-
date you."
Miilicent bit her full red lower lip, and drum
med impatiently on the table with her ten rest
Audi ftr lIsyit ,1.,S
ing you for every five cent piece I happen to
want J"
'.Yes, Mrs. Gates-if you prefer to put tho
matter in that light"
'.RadcliHe," she coaxed, suddenly changing
her tone, ''do give me all allowance-1 don't care
how little Don't subject me to the humiliation
Of pleading for little money half dozen times
a day. You are rich"
'Exactly, my DEAR nodded this benedict
''and that's the way made my fortune, by look
ing personally after every penny, and mean to
'sbut think how was mortified yesterday, when
Mrs. Armour came to ask me if could subscribe
fifty cents towards buying hand carriage for
our washerwoman's lame child-only fifty cents
and had to say, 4 must ASK my husband to
give me money whom he returns from the city J
for had not even fifty cents of my own.'
SAN very right-all very proper y said Mr..
Gates, playing with the huge rope of gold that
hung across his chest in the gulse OF y watch
chain.
"other ladies' are not kept penness."
''rhat rests entirely between them and their
husbands, Mrs. Gates"
81 will not endure it." cried Milly, starting TO
her feet with cheeks died scarlet and Indignantly
gittering eyes,
voking complacency.
~ ,pin have money T. said Milly defantly.
''How are you going to get it, my dear ~ re-
torted her spouse, with All aggrayating smile
around the corners Of his mouth. "You have
nothing of your own.-absolutely nothing. The
money is all mine to keep it !"
Mllly sat down again. twisting her pocket
handkerchief around and around. She was not
prepared with an immediate answer.
s.And now, Mrs. Gates" said the banker, after
a moment or two OF overwhelming silence, "lf
you'll be good enough to stitch that button on
my glove, I'll go down town. / have already
wasted too much time." ....
So the verbal passage at arms ended, and Mil
ly felt that, 60 far, she was worsted.
She watched Mr.. Gates drive OH in all elegant
open barouche, drawn by two long tailed
chestnut horses, all glitter with plated harness,
and turned away, almost wishing that she was
Mlllicent Haughton once again, behind her derk
in the little red school house.
She looked around at the inlsid furniture,
Aubusson carpets and satin window draperies,
and thought with passionate pang, how little
all this availed her.
..It's so provoking of Radcliffe ~ she murmur-
ed. "Tve half a mind to go out 10 service, or
aressmskng essn Ak or somsthinE,wior NH must have
just then servant knocked 1t the door with
a basket and note.
San old lady in Shaker bonnet and . one
horse wagon left it," said the girl with scarce
ly disguised litter. She wouldn't ccme in, al
Mrs. Gates opened the note. It ran in stiff
old fashioned calgraphy, ~ if the pen were an
unwonted implement in the writer's hand:
Dean MnLY The strawberries in the south
medder lot are juste ripe, where you used to pick
'em when you were a little gal so Penelope
picked lot, and we made bold to send them 10
you for the sake Of old times, ~ aunt Arsmnta
is going to the city tomorrow. We hope yoa
will like them. Adectionately your friend,
MIRA ANN PEABODY.
The tears sparkled in the brides eyes, For an
instant it seemed to her ~ IL she we're Q merry
child again, picking strawberries in the golden
rain OF July sunshine, with the scent Of wild
on the air, and the gurgle Of the little trout
stream close by And as she lifted the lid OF the
great basket of crimson luscious fruit And in
haled the delicious perfume, sudden idea dart
ed into her head
snow will have money of my own p she
cried out" Money that will earn myself, aud
| thus be independent y
| stairs to the infinite amazemenr of Rachel. tLe
chAmbermsd, and Louisa the parlor maid in a
brown gingham dress, white pique sun bonnet,
and basket on her arm.
WOu you HAfe Inc CAFTl0Ro, ma am aHk0d
the latter, az Mrs. Gates beckoned to . passing
omnibus.
"No, wont " said the bankers's lady,
| And within the city limits she aligited and
began work in good earnest.
Strawberries who'll buy my wild strswber-
ries !" rang out her clear, shrill voice, ~ she
walked along. Lightly balancing the weight on
her arm, and enjoying the impromptu ms.aue-
rade a. only spirited young woman can,
Mrs. Fowler bought four quarts for presery-
ing, at twenty five cents per quart
"Wild berries has such flavor ~ said the
old lady, retlectively. Sand taint often Won
get e'em here in the city. Is'pose YOU don't
come round regular, young woman \"
| "No, don't, ma amp"
mers,' said Mrs. Fowler, e'
Mrs. Seninthia Hall, who keeps bosrders, mr.
chased two quarts Mrs. Captain Carbary took
one and then Miicent jumped on the cars and
rode wearily down town. "'''
I've got = dollar and ssventy-fiye cents of
my own now, at all events." she said to her
self.
Strawberries Nice, ripe, wild strawberries!
Buy my strawberries ~