Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-12-14
GOING INTO PARTNERSHIP.

Mrs. Nottingham, being unable to get
the means from her husband to supply
her necessities, at last informed him
that she should resume her profession
of teaching, so as to be as independent
as she was before she was married.
You're not in earnest, my dearp"
said Mr.. N.
"Of course I'm in earnest Why notP
Do you suppose intend to go on in this
way, begging and praying for every
farthing I spendP I've been independ-
ent once, and can be so again"
mo; but look herer' Mr.. Noting
ham had risen, and was pacing up and
down rather uneasily. "My wife can't
go to teaching! What is it that you
wantP'
What can earn'' proudly retorted
Mrs. Nottingham.
But put it into words"
"Well, then, look here" said Mrs.
Nottingham: Il have always done my
own work and sewing. Considered as
a cook, l demand three pounds month
as a seamstress, one pound; as a house.
keeper, four pounds; as your wife, and
the lawful mother of your children, at
least ten pounds more. And then
shall not consider myself properly COM
pensated."
"Whew-w-w! Let me see-it's near
ly twenty pounds a month";
81 consider my services as worth that
at least" said Mrs. Nottingham, with
dignity; "but if you would rather hire
housekeeper / will prosecute my orig
inal idea of opening a select school"
Mr. Nottingham walked up and down
hn1 h hi h,.t,
into porcupine fashion with his fingers.
"Fll consult Uncle Wetherbee,n he
said.
Very WELL" said Mrs. Nottingham.
Il am quite willing to abide by his de-
cision.'
Uncle Wetherbee, a bronze-visaged
ex-sailor, who was comfortably smok-
ing his meerschaum upstairs, was sum-
moned at once. He came down
rather slowly, on account Of wooden
leg-and listened to the special plead
ing on either side with the utmost
gravity.
"D'ye want to know my opinionP'
said Uncle Wetherbee, when they both
had finished.
Certainly" said Mr., Nottingham.
"Of course" said his wife.
Then look here, said Uncle Wether.
bee: matrimony's a copartnership OF
joys and sorrows, and it ought to be OF
money as well. My advice is, Nephew
Nicholas, that you divide even with
your wife
divide evenr' blankly repeated Mr..
Nottingham. 'a
"Or, better STILL" went on Uncle
Wetherbee, "take one-third of the
money yourself, lay aside one-third fol
household purposes, and give the other
third to Phoebe"
''Yes, but, uncle"
lyon asked my ADVICE said Uncle
Wetherbee. "There it is. And I've
nothing more to say"
And off he stumped upstairs again.
Mr.. Nottingham looked at his wife.
His wife looked back again at him.
"WellP" said Phoebe.
Il will try it'' said Mr.. Nottingham.
"It seems a wild idea, but Bncle
Wetherbee is a remarkably sensible
man. Yes, I'll try itr'
And for the next three years Mr. Not
tingham remained in partnership with
his wife on these unusual financial con-
ditions
"Though, for the life of me, | can't
see what you do with all your money"
said he to his wife.
"'The very idea that has often sug-
gested itself to me in regard to yours"
retorted Mrs. Nottingham, laughing.
/" had intended TO buy house for
you, if it hadn't been for this unexpected
appropriation of my funds" said Mr..
Nottingham.
Il can wait, DEAR" said his wife, Sc
renely "All in good time"
But one afternoon Mr.. Nottingham
came home early from business and
rushed up to Uncle Wetherbee's room.
'"My dear uncle" said he, :" that
house of Falkirk's is in the market at
forced sale. Such bargain! Only
6O0r t,...s
''Why don't you buy it, then?" said
MrGWetherbee, scooping fresh tobacco
out of his jar.
because I've only been able to lay
up 400 out of that terribly small al
lowance of mine" said Mr. Noting
ham. ..Ever since l divided with
Phoebe, according TO your suggestion
Yes nodded Uncle Wetherbee,
according 70 my suggestion"
Eve been a comparatively poor
mane sighed Mr.. Nottingham. "One
can clay up anything on such pittance
as that.s'
Perhaps your wife thinks so, too, 4"
chuckled Uncle Wetherbee.
"0h, that's altogether a different
matter" said Mr.. Nottingham. "rve
been thinking ought to reconsider that
affair -
Uncle Wetherbee stared intently at
his wooden leg, and said nothing.
But" added Mr.. Nottingham,
"about the Falkirk placeP It's little
gem of house, and I've always wanted
a house of my own. This rent-paying
business don't altogether suit me- And
l could give mortgage for the odd
GOO if you would allow me to use
your name for security"
"Oh, certainly, certainlyn' said
Uncle Wetherbee. "Use it as much as
you like"
And Mr.. Nottingham went off rejoic-
inc