The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-28
.yor enc sunday sentinel.I |
STARTING IN LIFE.
M MRS. sALLIE A. EAMAeE.

It was such delicious courtshp, such
wooing and winning, and the wedding. with
its flowers and beauty, seemed but fitting
fnish to these rapturous, happy days. They
were both poor, and when Hattie Aflisen
promised to share Frank Allan's home she
knew that at best it could only be a three room
cottage, or, II not that, room in some sec
ond class boarding house, and yet, with the
glamour Of love binding her, she did not
hesitate True she and Frank counted over
several times whether 1T would be~more
economical to keep house or board, but as
each preferred independence they decided
on the former, and made calculations for
their house. There was quite a number OF
wedding presents, almost all of them orna-
mental and useless, crochet mats and zephyr
wall notices being the most numerous
There were three card receivers, but no table
upon which to place them; four family
bibles, and not single chair; half dozen
plated butter knives, but not thing to
keep them company. The brides mother
gave her set OF jewelry, and the groom's
parents gave them pair Of bronze
vases, and the younger members
Of the family bought chrome
OF the Prodigal Son. There were
all well enough, but as Frank had to supply
all the deficiencies out OF very slender sal
ary, he at least would have been better
pleased with something more substantial
But no amount OF wishing could change
them, and without the hoped for assistance
OF friends they made the start. Neither OF
them had ever saved anything, and for their
furniture and housekeeping essentials they
Incurred debt, that while not large, was
enough TO keep them economical for while
II they wished to throw 1t OFF, They never
imagined 50 much was necessary in house.
The carpets curtains and heavier furniture
we're but small items. The little odds and
ends made the grand total OF their indebt-
sdness so much larger than they had ex-
pected. Friends advised and suggested this
and that until every room bore ample evi
dence of the disinterestedness of giving ad-
rice to young people.
The first night after Hattie had cleared the
supper table, for they kept no servant, they
footed mp, added subtracted and multiplied
their income and the debt, always with the
same result OF $50 week salary
and $50 debt, with a weekly ex-
pense, counting house rent, of
si2. With close economy, therefore, they
could save s.. TO be applied to the payment
their bills for furniture, etc, and at that
rate il would take them nearly eight weeks
70 be free. They agreed TO spend nothing
unnecessarily; to purchase no luxuries; to
1--WE themselves heart and soul to paying the
Just claims against them.
Hattie had not been used 10 economy; she
had no idea of careful. prudent living But
she loved her husband, and resolved to do
her part TO help him. She could atttnd to
the marketing. buying good, seasonable food
In proper quantities and serve II In palata'
bic style. She could make their home at
tractive by keeping IL clean and fresh. She
could strengthen her husband by kind words
and seif-denying acts, and though she could
earn no money, she could save IL when 4
was given her. Not to be outdene, Franz
determined TO cut Oft his personally extrava
CANT habits, TO save the dimes and dollar
that went for cigars and tobacco. TO be pru
dent about all his expenses and TO help Hat
tie In her housekeeping plans He resolved
hat he would apply every cent of the IS b
paying his debts, aid II 1t was possible
save more that Il should be done.
Fer while the wheels moved smoothly
Zach was al love and devotion, and TO b
sacrificing and kind was the rule OF th
home. The hour for her husbands retur
from work always found Hattie neatly dres
ed. as In the courfing days, waiting In be
neat pretty room for the coming OF him VIII
was a. tender lover as before bis marrisg
Hisnds pronounced them model COUP