The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-09-18

thousand. And there was not much show
for ii in the house or upon her person. If
he had limited at an explanation, she turn
ed him off so sweetly and adroitly that he
could not resist
Maria, we must turn over a new leaf"
he remarked. "Here | am without dol
lar in the world-and never shall have
while things go on in this way / have
given you eight hundred dollars this last
year"
Have your indeed What is eight
hundred dollarsp" ehuckled she.
There is Raymoud's house opposite
for sale 1t is beautiful place, and can
be bought for foar thousand dollars, by
paying fifteen hundred down. / was
thinking that ii had saved my money,
| might have been able to buy that place"
No use to cry ior split milk, Edward,
replied Maria.
l know that; but We needn't spill any
more milk. l have been very economical
the last year" and he proceeded to detail
the retrenchments he had made.
"You have done very well, Edward"
Yes, my dear, better than you have.
Who would have thought | should ever
preach economy to you p he laughed
what was the use for me to be pru-
dent while you scatter your money like
chaff?" asked the wife with infinite good
humor.
No use, confess
/ will turn over a new leaf if you will
You used to find fault with me because
wouldn't buy strawberries at sixty cents a
box.
II haven't lately
No, you haven't"
And never win again. Now, Maria,
| was thinking if we could save up four
or FIVE hundred year for three or four
years we might buy house"
Every true; and we viii begin now, if
you like"
with all my heart"
you shall allow me fixed sum for
my personal expenses"
Say two hundred dollars"
Half that sum will do"
But you can't come down all at once
from eight hundred to ono hundred"
yes, can, replied the pretty woman,
the mischief cleaning in her radiant eyes.
Then We can buy house in three
years"
Suppose you buy Raymond's now.
But | cannot. haven't dollar in
the world after my bills are paid"
"Then will let you have fifteen hun
dred dollars to pay down"
"Youl You are facetious, Maria.
What are you laughing at p
Maria, for some reason or other, had
burst into violent fit of laughing.
\" You shall have the money, Edward.
But you must promise me not to tell any
one what an extravagant wife you have,
as you did Dr. Smith"
"What do you mean, Maria? Forgive
me for that"
al will, my dear replied she; and go
ing TO drawer she produced two bank
books and placed them in her husbands
hand.
One Of them indicated that she had
thousand dollars in one savings bank, and
the other six hundred in another bank.
OF course, Edward was astonishcd-i was
his duty to be astonished.
"Your extrayagant wife has saved six.
teen hundred dollars of your money in
spite Of your teeth, besides curing you Of
sundry reckless habits" And she threw
herself upon sofa and laughed until she
bad nearly gone into fit
Maria, you are jewel | am amas
ed. You paid DR.. Smith ?"
al did
He lied to me then"
No, he didn't; you and l are one, so
of course you paid it. l had to tell him
my secret, and in return he informed me
what an excellent character you had given
me for prudence and economy
Forgive me, Maria. You have made
me the happiest man in the world"
"And am reyenged."
"Revenged ~
You found fault with me every day
when you came home, aud | resolved to
punish you. I knew you would not re-
fuse me money, and l have at length
brought you toTyour senses"
Il see where the money went to, now"
Do you, indeed
"To tell the truth, l thought there was
very little show for the money | gave
you"
Sixteen hundred dollars, money in
hand, was large sum to Edward, who
had spent everything as fast as he got It.
He felt like new man--like rich man.
What treasure was Maria, who, besides
being pretty, sweet-tempered and devoted,
was thorough financier.
For my part, should not like finan-
cier on any other terms. A prudent, but
growing, ill-tempered shrew, would be my
abomination; and before her l should pre-
fer pretty, sweet-tempered, devoted wo-
man, who would spend all l could get.
The Raymond place, and delightful
place Il was, Immediately came into Ed
wards possession. It is paid for now,
aud our friends are as happy as during