The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-10-28
ONE RIGHT or A WIFE.

| ONE RIGHT OF A WIFE.
"John," said one night to my hus-
band, as put my basket of sewing
away preparatory to retiring, "John.
as you go down town tomorrow
morning, wish you would stop at
Mrs. Vests door and leave her five
dollars for me-" -. ,....a..,
"Five dollars I" and my lord. looked
up quite astonished. For what!"
"Why, she is collecting money to
aid that society she is Secretary Of
and told her 1 would give her five
dollars" ...-.. .
I said this with quite a show of as.
surance, though 1 really felt quite un-
easy as to the reception of my request,
for John Is rather notional in some OF
his ways; however, 1 had been cogi-
tating some matters lately in my own
mind, aud determined 10 make q bold
| stand.
"Well, Sarah," at length came the
reply, you need not count on my do
ing any such thing. 81 don't approve
OF that society at all, and net one cent
of my money shall 60 to help it.
81 give it out of nsy money" said l..
growing bolder; 81 emily ask you to
leave it at the door for me-"
"Your money What do you mean ?"
81 mean what L say--my money.
Have no right to spend money as
well rs you? do not approve of the
Masons, but that does not hinder you
from spending money and time for
them as much as you have a mind"
John looked at me, quite amazed at
my sudden outbreak. You see had
always been the most amiable Of wives.
Then he broke out quite triumphant
ly: te-- d.
"Come, now, who earns the money
that maintains this family?"
"You and together" said I:
"Togetherl Well. I should like to
see the first cent you have earned in
the seven years we have been married.
Togetherl Well, I call that pretty
rich.
My spirits were visibly declining
under his ridicule, but I kept on as
boldly as I could.
"When we were married, you
thought, or pretended to think, your
self very happy in assuming the care
of board bills and wardrobes. didn't
ask it Of you. You asked me to be
your wife. knowing well all that
meant.
GAS nearly as remember" inter-
rupted John, "you were mighty ready
to accept me-"
Granted-to save argument" said 1
colering.
"Well, we stood up in church to-
gether, and you promised to love cher
ish, etc, and so did l."
"And obey, too" said 1; "but you
in return, endowed me with all your
worldly goods, and the minister pro-
nourced US man and wife and so we
have lived: .....
eyes," said John, complacently;
"and as look back over the time,
think have done what agreed, and
make pretty good husband. think
you ought to be thankful when yen
see how some wives live
"Well," said !, 81 think have been
a domestic, prudent wife, and l don't
feel one atom more Of gratitude to you
for being a decent husband than you
ought to feel TO me for being decent
wife. Is it any more merit that you
keep your marriage promises than
that l keep mine?" A4'
"Sarah, vou positively are very acri-
moniOus tonight. Don't you think
we had better 60 to bed 2"
"No, sir; we'll, meantime we have
laid by money enough to buy this
house and still have SEINE in the bank
"Thanks 10 my hard work." chiIncd
in John.
"More thanks" said l., ito the per-
feet health we have always had. We
made all promises 'for better or for
worse Now, it has been for the bet
ter with us all this time. Had you
been sick or honest misfortune befallen
you, l should manage some way to re-
duce our expenses so that you would
feel the burden as little as might be.
Had been eick more care would have
fallen on you. But we helped each
other save, and now claim an equal
right with you in spending money"
"Whew! Why, that is treason. But
60 on"
If we occupied the respective posi-
tions of superior and subordinate, l
should do what dc for you for fix
ed stipend, and no questions should
be asked as te the use made of it. Be-
ton as q servant but because the con-
tract we have make is lifelong and not
easily broken, do not therefore call
it very magnanimous in prosperous
man to accept these services and rem
der in return only my board and the
least possible amount that will credit
ably clothe me-"
You see,I was growing irate. Johns
temper, too. was evidently on the rise.
"What do you mean by services
housework z ana sure a home is as
much fer your satisfaction as for mine