American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-12-15
GOING INTO PARTNERSHIP.

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 dear?"
said Mr.. n.
''Of course I'm in earnest. Why not?
Do you suppose [ intend to 60 this way,
begging and praying for every farthing
L spend? I've been independent once,
and 1 can be so again.
/" No; but look here!" 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
want?'
''What can earn!'' proudly retorted
Mrs. Nottingham.
''But put it into words.''
"Well, then, look here" said Mrs.
Nottingham; 81 have always done my
own work and sewing. Considered as
a cook, 1 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 l
shall not consider myself properly COM
pensated.''
"Whew-w-w! Let.m see-it's near
ly ego month";"
'I consider my services as worth
that, at least" said Mrs. Nottingham,
with dignity; 'but if you would rather
hire housekeeper, will prosecute my
original idea of opening a select
school"
Mr.. Nottingham walked up and down
the room once more, rumpling his hair
into porcupine-fashion. with his fingers.
. "Im consult Uncle Wetherbee,' he
said.
&C Very WE'LL" said Mrs. Nottingham.
81 am quite willing to abide by his de-
cision"
Uncle Wetherbee, a bronze-visaged
ex-sailor, who was comfortably smok-
ing his meerschaum up stairs, was sum-
, moned at once. He came down. rather
slowly, on account of a wooden leg
; and listened to the special pleading on
either side with the utmost gravity.
, "D'ye want to know my opinion?"
, said Uncle Wetherbee, when they both
had finished.
: "Certainly,' said Mr.. Nottingham.
"Of course,'' said his wife.
} ''Then look here,'' said Uncle Weth-
erbee. Matrimony's copardnership
of joys and sorrows, and it ought to be
of money as we'll. My advice is, Nephew
Nicholas, that you divide even with
: your wife,
: "Divide = event" blankly repeated
= Mr.. Nottingham.
: "Or, better still,'' went on Uncle
l Wetherbee, take one-third of the
money yourself, lay aside one-third for
household purposes, and give the other
third to Phebe.'
90 Yes, but, uncle
you asked my advice,' said Uncle
Wetherbee. "There it is. And I've
nothing more to say
And off he stumped up stairs again.
Mr.. Nottingham looked at his wife.
His wife looked back again at him.
"Well?" said Phoebe.
81 will try it," said Mr. Noting
ham. &C 1t seems wild idea, but Uncle
Wetherbee is a remarkably sensible
man. Yes, I'll try it!''
And for the next three years Mr.. Not
tingham remained in partnership with
his wife on these unusual financial con-
l ditions
: Though, for the life of me, can't
see what you do with all your money!
said he to his wife.
t'The very idea that has often sug-
gested itself to me in regard to yours, -
retorted Mrs. Nottingham, laughing.
81 had intended to buy house for
> you, if it hadn't been for this unexpected
: appropriation of my funds,'' said Mr..
Nottingham.
81 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 six
hundredl"
''Why don't you buy it, them" said
Mr.. Wetherbee, scooping fresh tobacco
out of his jar.
because I've only been able to lay
up four hundred out of that deucedly
small allowance of mine, said Mr.. Not
tingham. ''Ever since 1 divided with
. Phoebe, according to your sugges-
tom
eyes," nodded Uncle Wetherbee,
= = ''according to my Suggestion
GIVE been comparatively poor
> man." sighed Mr.. Nottingham. ''One
can't lay up any thing on such pit
lance as that
"Perhaps your wife thinks so, too
chuekled Uncle Wetherbee.
"Oh, that's altogether a different mat
ter,' said Mr.. Nottingham. "I've been
thinking 1 ought to reconsider that af-
fair.''
Uncle Wetherbee stared intently at his
wooden leg, and said nothing.
Sc But,'' added Mr.. Nottingham,
: 'about the Falkirk place? 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
could give a mortgage for the odd
1 92O0 if you would allow me to use your
name for a security
!, "Oh, certainly, certainly" said I'm
L nj n Y,,,,oL ~, ,-,,,