Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-06-30

I
/ penses hal increased by hundred dollars
though he would have found IL difficult 10
tel IN what way his comfort or happiness
| had been increased thereby.
In spite of his carelessness in regard &, his
own affairs, Mr. Newton was an excellent
man in regard 10 his business. and his ser-
vices were valuable to his employers. They
accordingly increased his salary from time IN
time, till 1t reached sixteen hundred dollars.
lie steadily pursued the custom of assign
ing one-half 10 his wife for the same purpose
as heretofore, and this had become such
habit that he never thought 10 INQUIRE
whether she found it necessary to employ
the whole or not.
Thus ten years rolled away. During all
this time Mr. Newton lived in the same
hired house f0rwhich he had paid an annual
rent OF one hundred and fifty dollars. Lat
terly however, he had become dissatisfied
with IT, II had passed into the hands Of a
new landlord, who was not disposed 10 keep
il in the repair which he considered de-
sirable.
About this time a block Of excellent houses
was erected by a capitalist, who designed TO
sell them or let them, as he might have an
opportunity They were more modern and
much better arranged than the one in which
Mr., Newton now lived. and he felt strong
desire to move into one of them. He men
toned it TO his wife, one morning.
What is the rent, Ezra 2" inquired she.
Two hundred and twenty-five dollara for
the corner house; two hundred for either OF
the others"
The corner one would be preferable, on
account of the side windows"
Yes, and they have a large yard besides.
think we must hire one of them. / guess
IIl engage one today you know our year is
out next week"
" Please wait, Ezra, till to morrow, before
engaging one"
For what reason %
" l should like to examine the house."
Very well, | suppose tomorrow will be
sufficiently early.
Soon after breakfast Mrs. Newton called
ON Squire Bent. the owner Of the new block.
and intimatel her desire to be shown the
corner house, The request he readily COM
pied with Mrs Newton was quite delighted
with all the arrangements, and expressed
her satisfaction.
Are these houses for sale or to let ?" she
inquired.
Either" said the owner.
The rent is, | understand, two hundred
and twenty-five dollars
Yes, ! consider the corner house worth at
least twenty-five dollars more than the rest"
" And what do You charge for the house to
acash purchaser 2" asked Mrs. Newton, with
subdued eagemess.
D." -Four thousand dollars cash" was the re-
ply, . and that is but a small advance on the
cost"
Very well, will buy it OF YOU" said
Mrs. Newton, quietly
What did ! understand YOU to saw 2"
asked the Squire, scarcely believing his ears.
g. repeat that | will buy this house at
your price aud pay the money within a
" Then the house is yours. But your hus-
band said nothing Of his intention, and. in
fact, did not know"
That he had the money to invest, I sup
pose you would say. Neither does be know
It, and ] must ask You not to tell him for the
present"
The next morning Mrs. Newton invited
her husband to take walk, but without
specifying the direction. They soon stood
IN front of the house in which he had desired
to live.
asked.
Yes. It's pity we haven't got the key"
" | have the KEY" said his wife. and forth
with walked up the steps and proceeded to
open the door.
=" When did you get the key of Squire
Bent " asked the husband.
Yesterday when | bought the house."
said his wife, quietly.
Mr.: Newton gazed at his wife in profound
astonishment.
"What ON earth do you mean, Elizabeth"
| he inquired.
"Just what I say. The house is mine.
and what is mine is thine So the house is
yours Era
Where in the name of goodness did you
raise the money q asked her husband, his
amazement still as great as ever.
" haven't been q managing wife for ten
years fornothing, said Mrs. Newton. smiling.
With some difficulty, Mrs Newton per.
Suaded her husband that the price of the house
was really the result Of her savings He felt,
when he surveyed the commodious arrange
ments Of the new house, that he had reason
to be grateful for the prudence of his man.
aging wife.