Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-19
A Fair Partnership.


Mrs. Nottingham, being unable to get the
means from her husband to supply her neces-
sities, at last informed him that she should
resume her profession of teaching, so as to
- independent, az she was before she was
married.
"Youre not in earnest my dear ?" said
Mr.. Nottingham.
"Of course Pm in earnest. Why not
Do you suppose intend to go on this way,
begging and praying for every farthing |
can be so again"
"No; but look here !" Mr.. Nottingham
had risen, and was pacing up and down
rather uneasily. "My wife can't go to
teachingl What is it that you want p
"What | can earn proudly retorted Mrs.
Nottingham.
" But put it into words"
"Well, then, look here" said Mrs. Not
tingham, al have always done the whole
housework and sewing. Considered as a
cook, demand fifteen dollars month as
seamstress, five dollars; as your wife, and
the lawful mother of your children, at least
fifty dollars more And then / shall not
consider myself properly compensated
Whew-w-w Let me see-its nearly
hundred dollars a month p
Z" 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 por-
cupine fashion with his fingers.
"I'll consult Uncle Wetherbee," he said.
Every well,' said Mrs. Nottingham I;
"I'm quite willing to abide by his decision"
Uncle Wetherbee, a bronze-visaged ex-
sailor, who was comfortably smoking his
meerschaum upstairs, was summoned at
once. He came down--rather slowly, on ac
count of a wooden leg--and listened to the
pleading on either side with great gravity.
"D'ye want to know my opinion ?" said
Uncle Wetherbee, when they had finished
Certainly" said Mr.. Nottingham.
"Of course" said his wife. e
"Then look here" said Uncle Wetherbee.
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-even /" blankly repeated Mr.,
Nottingham. u
"Or, better STILL" went on Uncle Weth-
erbee, take one-thrd of the money your
self, lay aside one-third for household pur-
poses, and give the other third to your
wife,
Yes, but uncle ="
"You asked my advice" said Uncle Weth-
erbee. "There " it is. Aud have nothing
more to say"
And off he stumped 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. 1t
seems a wild idea, but Uncle Wetherbee is
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 conditions.
"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 suggested
itself to me in regard to your money!" re-
torted Mrs. Nottingham, laughingly.
" | had intended to buy house for you,
if it hadn't been for this unexpected APP
preparation of my funds said Mr.. Not
tingham.
81 can wait dear" said his wife serenely
" All in good time
But one afternoon Mr. Nottingham came
home early from business and rushed up to
Uncle Wetherbees room.
"AIy dear uncle" said he, that house of
Falkirk's is in the market at forced sale.
Such bargain "Only three thousand w
"Why don't you buy it, then I" said Mr..
Wetherbee, scooping fresh tobacco out of
his jar.
"Because I've only been able to lay up
two thousand out Of that deucedly small al
lowance OF mine," said Mr. Nottingham.
Ever since divided with Phoebe, accord
ing to your suggestion"
"Yes," nodded Uncle Wetherbee, ac-
cording to my suggestion"
I've been a comparatively poor man,
sighed Mr.. Nottingham. "One can't lay
up anything on such pttance AS that"
d" Perhaps your wife thinks so too, >
chuckled Uncle Wetherbee.
ter" said Mr. Nottingham. "Iye 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 place It's a little gem of q
house, and I've always wanted a house OF
my own. This rent paying business don't al
together suit me. And could give mort
gage for the thousand dollars if you would
allow me to use your name as security"
"Oh, certainly, certainly said Uncl,
| Wetherbee, "use it as much as you like"
And Mr.. Nottingham went off rejoicing
But the agents in charge of the Falkirl
place were exultant when he arrived.
-Four hundred pounds and a mortgage
for the balance is very well" said one o
those gentlemen, but we had another oife
this morning--of cash down and consid
cred it our duty to MIR. Falkirk to close witt
it, Very sorry-but perhaps we might sui
Mr.. Nottingham with some other piece 0
property"
MIR. Nottingham went home sadly di,
pirited.
"What's the use of trying TO save money!
said he. "Pm going to give up after this
al don't agree with you there, dear" sal
Mrs. Nottingham. "Pve been saving none
for the last three years, and | have foun
it pays" ..
"Of course | have. Do YOU suppose
spent all the money! Not a bit OF it.
put the best part of it out at interest, a
ways following Uncle Wetherbee's advice i
my Investments, and I've bought hou:
with it'll"
"What house 2"
"Mr. Nottinghams eyes opened wid'
and wider.
"The Falkrk house," said Mrs. Nottin
ham, her cheeks dimpled all over with sa
isfaction. 81 completed the bargain b
; day. My dear," stealing one arm aroun
her husbands neck-"how do you think
have held up my end of the business par
!, nership :"
Better than | could have done mysel
e Phoebe" said Mr.. Nottingham, with cur
GUS moisture coming into his eyes. ! a
= proud of you"
!, "rben you don't regret the terms and a
ticles of partnership 2"
So the young couple moved into the FL
kirk house when the first of May can
u around; and the cosiest room in the hous
with south window and an open frepla
e for u wooden fire, was reserved for Unc
Wetherbee.
Aud Mr.. Nottingham is never tired
a telling his friends that his wife bought d
r, place with her share of the partnersh