Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-09-30
The Wife's Allowance.

D., mLrS O.. crAsrs.
There were people enough to envy Alilli-
cent lIaughton when she was married to
Radcliffe Gates. She was only district
school-teacher. at so much month"; without
home or parents. lie was a wealthy banker
who seemed To- have nothing ON earth TO do
but to indulge his whims and caprice' to
their utienuoi bent, and the world in gem
eral announced It's diction that Nlilly llaugh-
ton had done uncommonlv well forherself.'
But Milly did not look happy upon that
golden july morning. with the sunshine
streaming through the oricl window of the
great breakfast room at Gates Place, 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 camhric
wrapper, looped and huttoned with blue, and
single pearl arrow upheld the shining
masses of her lovely auburn hair. Her eyes
were deep, liquid hazel her complexion as
soft and radiant as the dmpled side of an
carly peach; and the little kid-slippercd foot
that patted the velvet ottoman beneath was
as perfect and tapering as a sculptor could
have wished il.
Mr.. Gates, from his side of the dainask
draped table. eyed her with the complacent
gaze of promietorship She was his wife
lie liked her TO look well just as he wanted
his horses properly groomed and his conserv-
atories kept in order; and he troubled him
self very little about the shadow on her
brow.
"Im in earnest, Radcliffe 90 She said, with
emphasis.
g" 50 supposed, Mrs Gates said the hus-
band, lesurely folding his paper-a sign
that the news within was thoroughly ex-
hausted--' SO supposed. But it isn't at
all worth while 10 allow yourself to get ex-
cited. When ! say a thing, Mrs. Gates, |
generally mean it. Aud repeat-if You
need money for any sensible and necessary
purpose, ! shall be most willing and happy
to accommodate YOU"
Millicent bit her full red lower H., aud
Il, uinriel umpafi"nu, on the table with her
ten restless fingers. " And ! am to come
meekly implorng you for every five cent
piece ! happen 10 want 2"
Yes Mrs Gates-if You prefer 10 put the
matter in that light"
" Radcliffe" she coaxed, suddenly chang
ing her tone, " do give me an allowance
don't care how httle Don't subject me to
the humiliation of pleading for a little
money half dozen times a day. You are
rich'
Exactly. my dear" nodded this Bene-
dict; and that's the way | made my for
tune-by looking personally after every penny
and mean TO keep 1t up
But think how | was mortified, yester-
day, when Mrs. Armour came to ask me if
could subscribe fifty cents towards buying
a hand-carriage for our washerwoman' lame
child-only fifty cents-and had to say,
must ask my husband 10 give me the money
when he returns from the city for had
not even fifty cents Of my own"
All very right-al very proper" said
Mr.. Gates, playing with the huge rope Of
gold that hung across his chest in the guise
of a watch-chaiu.
"Other ladies are not kept penniless -
That rests entirely between them and
their husbands, Mrs Gates
81 will not endure it, cried Milly, starting
10 her feet, with cheeks dyed scarlet and in
dignantly glitteiing eyes.
Mr.. Gates leaned back in his chair with
provoking complaceucy.
IL rNhaye money! said Milly, deiantly.
How are You going 10 get it, my dearY'
retorted her spouse, with an aggrayating
smile playing around the corners of his
mouth You have nothing of your own
absolutely nothing. The money is all mine,
and mean 10 keep itw
Mily sat down again. twisting her pocket
handkerchief around and around. She was
not prepared with an immediate answer,
And now, Mrs. Gates said the banker,
after a moment or two OF overwhelming ST
lenee, - il you'll he 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
/ Milly felt that, so far, she was worsted.
She watched Mr. Gates drive off in an ele-
/ CANT open barouche, drawn by two long
/ tailed chestnut horses, all glitter with
/ plated harness, and turned away, almost
| wishing that she was AIillicent lIaughton
once again, behind her desk in the little red
| school-housc,
She looked around at the inlaid furniture
/ Aubusson carpets and satin window draper
/ les, and thought with passionate pang, how
little all this ayailed her
1T is so provoking of Radcliffe % she
murmured. "lye half mind to 90 out to
service, or dressmakng, or something-for
must have money of my own, aud | will !"
just then servant knocked at the door
with basket and note.
An old lady in a Shaker bonnet and a
one-horse wagon, left it," said the girl, with
a scarcely disguised litter. She wouldn't
come in, although invited her."
Mrs, Gates opened the note. 1t ran, In q
/ stiff, old-fashioned calgraphy, as II the pen
were an unwonted implement in the writer,
| hand
DEAR MuLN-'rhe strawberries in the soutl
medder lot are just ripe where you used 10 picl
! 'em when YOU We're little gal; so Penelope picked
a lot, and we make bold TO send them TO you, fol
the sake of old times, as Aunt Amminta Is going
to the city Tomorrow, We hope, You will like