St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-09-13
Going into Partnership.

Mis-. NottinSnanl, Oe1ng 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 independent, as
she was before she was married.
YOU'RE not in earnest, my dear ?"
said Mr.. Nottingham.
''Of course I'm in earnest. Why not /?
Do you suppose intend to go on this
way, begging and praying for every
farthing | spend ? I've been indepen-
dent once, and can be so again."
''No; but look heIe!" Mr.. Noting
ham had risen and was pacing up and
down rather uueasily. any wife can't
go to teaching! What is it that you
want ?n
"What l can earn !" proudly retorted
Mrs. Nottingham.
''But put it into words"
"Well, then, look here" said Mrs.
Nottingham, II have always done my
own work and sewing. Considered as
a cook, demand three pounds month !;
as seamstress one pound; as your
wife and the lawful mother of your
children, at least ten pounds more.
And then l shall not consider myself
properly Compensated
"Whew-w-w Let me see-it's near
ly $40 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
original idea of opening select SCHOOL,
Mr.. Nottingham walked up and down
the loom once more, rumpling his hair
into pOrcupiue fashion with his fingers.
"Pll consult Uncle Wetherbee," he
said.
VERY WE'LL" said Mrs. Nottingham :;
''I'm quite willing to abide by his de-
cision."
Uncle Wetherbee, 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 a wooden leg
and listened to the pleadings 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 Wether-
bee. ''Matrimony's a CO. partnership of
joys and sorrows, and it ought to be of
money as well. Ny advice is, Nephew
Nicholas, that you divide even with
your wife,
"Divide-even =" blankly repeated
Mr.. Nottingham.
"Or, better still, went on Uncle
Wetherbee, ''take one-third of the
money yourself, lay aside one-third for
household purposes, and give the other
third to your wife,"
"Yes, but Uncle-n
"You asked my advice,n said Uncle
Wetherbee. "There it is. And have
nothing more to say.n
And off he stamped upstairs again.
Mr.. Nottingham looked at his wife.
His wife looked back again at him.
"Well," said Phoebe.
81 will try it," said Mr.. Nottingham.
''It seems wild idea, but Uncle Weth
erbee is a remarkably sensible man.
Yes, Pll try it."
And for the next three years, Mr..
Nottingham remained in partnership
with his wife on these unusual financial
conditions.
Though for the life of me, can't
see what you do with all your money, y
said he to his wife.
''The very idea that has often sug-
gested itself to me in regard to your
money! retorted Mrs. Nottingham
laughingly.
II had intended to buy house for
you, if it hadn't been for this unex-
peeted appropriation of my funds" said
Mr.. Nottingham.
81 can wait, DEAR" said his wife, Sc
renely. ''All III good timer
! But one afternoon Mr.. nottingham