Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-26
January Bills.

] Heretofore his expenses had kept so closely
side by side with his income. as to leave his
mind oppressed with care and in some doubt
a. TO future success but during 1870, all
had been SO brisk in matters Of trade, and
so easy in matters of money, that his mind
was uniformly cheerful and sometimes
elated. lie felt that at last he was entering
the way to prosperity-a way he had so long
been trying earnestly to find.
! As the year drew towards its close, Mr..
| Lane experienced feeling Of satisfaction
unusual at such times. 4 doubt as TO which
would overbalance the other, his expenses or
bis profits, had usually made the last week
Of the year one Of great sobriety TO MIR.
| Lane. In 1873 it was different As the year
waned he had none Of his old feelings for
/ he was we'll satisfied that he would have
saved several hundred dollars on the profit
side of account, above and beyond all ex-
penses- something that had not occurred in
| former times.
If have made both ends meet, will be
satisfied" was his usual mental declaration,
when he proceeded to make up his accounts
for the year. 1t was different now.
If don't have five or six hundred dol
lars over, shall be much mistaken" This
was the pleasant remark OF Mr.. Lane to him
self, as he began the work Of ascertaining
the years business. All came out pretty
near as he had expected. There was a bal
ance in his favor of about six hundred dol
lars, after liberal margin had been allowed
for certain bad and doubtful accounts.
"Things begin TO look little brighter"
said Mr.. Lane, as he sat alone with his vile,
on New Years eve. The younger children
were in bed, and the two oldest daughters,
Kate and Emily, were out spending an even
| ing with a friend This was said after tax
ing cigar from his mouth, and letting the
smoke curl lazily about his head. which was
reclining on the back of cushioned rock
ing-chair.
"I'm glad to hear you say So" replied
Mrs. Lane. And she spoke from her heart
New Years eve had not always been a cheer
full time.
"rve been looking over my affairs to-day"
! continued the husband, "and find myself
better off than was this time last year by
at least six hundred dollars"
"That is encouraging"
al feel it so. | trust things are to be
easier in the future, and that we shall get a
little beforehand in the world. 1t is time F,
for | shall soon be in years, and less able to
| give active attention to business"
"'I'm pleased on more than one account"
said Mrs. Lane TO hear that you have done
so well this year. I've been deal worried
to-day about bill that had no idea would
be half so large as il is. 1t was sent in this
morning"
"Whoss bill is that?" asked Mr.. Lane,
with an apparent change Of feelings.
"Mr Mercer's bill for dry goods"
al didn't know there was bill there"
90 yes. Don't you remember that you
told me to get whatever the family wanted
from him ?"
al didn't mean you to run up bill,
though"
"It was so understood by me- But that
makes little difference. If the money had
been paid down, the cash would not be on
hand now"
How much is the bill 2"
"Im most afraid TO say"
How much ?"
zone hundred and thirty dollars"
Why, Anna Bless my heart How
in the world could you run up a bill like
that 2"
I've bought very little for myself" re-
piled the rebuked wife, in subdued and
choking voice. Nearly all has been used
for you and your children"
"A hundred and thirty dollars Oh dear
dear dear calculated Mr.. Lane, throwing
his cigar into the CRATE, and beginning 10
rock himself violently. =" So much of my
six hundred dollars profit scattered TO the
winds wonder how many more bills you
VIII have coming IN
This was downright cruel; and so Mrs.
Lane felt it. She did not, however, punish
him for his ungenerous remark with tears,
for she was not woman disposed on all oc-
casions to give way to this weakness. Her
reply was
" None that the wants Of the family have
not required to be made"
"But wish you TO pay cash, Anna. You
know last January, when We were almost
smothered with bills from all quarters, we
made resolution to pay cash for everything
during the coming year and thought this
had been done'
" know very well that such thing was
talked about replied Mrs. Lane; and,
believe, acted upon Tor time Aud alsc
know that you told me TO open an account
at Mercer's, in the spring, when asked you
for money TO purchase clothing for th'
family"
al didn't mean 10 have it go beyond that,
said Mr.. Lane, modifying his tone.
" But what other bills are there p
There is bill at Cheeseman's, for gro
ceries."
That can't be much, for ! have bought
almost everything in quantities"
A" No, don't suppose it will amount tc
anything of consequence"
Any other bill 2"
No none, except the bread bill"
" thought you paid cash for bread !"
" We never did that, Mr. Lane. The
baker serves us daily, marking on his tally
stick the number OF loayes and once in three
or six months sends in the bill, and it is paid.
How long has this been running 2"
" Six months, believe"
And will be forty or fifty dollars ?"
Not half of it." replied Mrs Lane.
Well, what else is there Z"
Nothing more. believe"
6" hope not. Here are about two hundred
dollars cut oil at a blow from the supposed
profits of the year. Confound these bills
wish there was no such thing as credit"
Mr.. Lane was, as matter of course, un-
happy for the moment Had those bills not