The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-09-14
Great sun.
Have done.
GOING INTO PARTNERSHIP

Mrs Nottingham, being unable to get the
means from her hunsband TO supply her ne
Cessities, at last informed him that she should
resume her profession Of teaching, 50 as to be
INDEPENDENT rs she WA, before she was mar
riGd.
You're not in earnest, my dear" said Mr.
Nottingham.
"Of course I'm in earnest Why not? DO
Won suppose | intend to 20 on in this way,
begging and praying for every iarthing
spend? I've been independent once, and
can be 50 again.
mo; but look here" Mr. Nottingham had
risen and was pacing up and down rather un-
easily. My wife can't 90 to teaching. What
is it that you want"
What cn earn, proudly rolor.cd Mrs.
Nottingham,
But put it into words"
We'll, then, look here" said Mrs. Noting
ham, ~ have always done my own work and
sewing. Considered as a cook, | demand
three pounds q month"; as a seamsrcss, one
pound, rs your wife and the lawful mother Of
your children, at least ten pounds more And
then I shall not consider myself properly com
Deneu.ed"
'W-hew! Let me scc--its nearly so a
month";
81 consider my services as worth that at
least said Mrs. Nottingham, with dignity;
"but if you would rather hire "A housckeeper,
will prosecute my original idea Of opening
select school,
Mr. Nottinghom walked up and down the
room once more, rumphng his hair into pOr
cupiuc fashion with his fingers.
"l'll consult uncle Wetherbcc," he said.
"Vcry WE'LL" said Mrs. Nottingham, I'm
quite willing to abide by his decision"
Uncle Wcthcrbcc, n bronze visagcd eX-salOr,
wnowas comfortably smoking his mcerschaum
apstArs was summoned at once He came
dOWl-rathcr slowly on account of wooden
lcg--and listened to the pleadings on either
side with the utmost gravity.
Dye want to know my opiniOn?" said I'm
Gle WcthcrbCc, when they both had finished.
Certainly" said Mr., Nottingham.
"Of course" said his wife
"Ihcn look here" said Uncle Wetherbec.
'Matrimony is a co-partnership Of joys and
,Orrows, and it ought to be of money as well.
Ny advice is, Nephew Nicholas, that you d.
vide even with your wife"
'Diyidc-cvcn" blankly repeated Mr.. Not
ungham.
"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"
you asked my advice" said Uncle Wclher-
bee, There it is; and hive nothing more
to say
And off he stamped up stairs again.
Mr.. Nottingham looked at his wife His
wife looked back again at him.
Well said Phoebe.
Il will try it," said Mr.. Nottingham. at
seems a wild idea; but Uncle Wetherbec is
remarkably sensible man. "Yes, I'll try it,"
And for the next three years Mr.. Noting
ham 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, one day.
The very idea that has often suggested itself
TO me in regard to your money" rctortcd Mrs.
Nottingham, laughingly.
Il had intended to buy house for you, If
II hadn't been for this unexpected appropria
ton Of my funds said Mr.. Nottingham
81 can wait dear" said his wife serenely.
"All in good time"
But one afternoon Mr. Nottingham came
home carly from business and rushed up To
Uncle Wclherbee's room.
MY dear urcle," said he, that house of
FalNrk's is in the market at forced sale. Such
a bargain! Only six hunaredr'
Why don't you buy it, theny' SAID Mr..
Whethcrbcc, scooping fresh tobacco out of his
jar
Because I've only been able 10 lay up four
hundred out Of that deucedly small allowance
Of mine said Mr.. Nottingham. Ever since
divided with Phgbe, according to your sug-
geston--'
We, nodded Uncle Wetherbee, according
to my suggestion"
I've been comparatively poor man,
sighed Mr.. Nottingham. "One can't lay up
anything on such pittance as that"
Perhaps your wife thinks SO too" chuckled
Uncle Wetherbee
"Oh, that's altogether q different matter
said Mr. Nottingham. I've been thinking |
ought TO reconsider that affair"
Uncle Wetherbee stared intently ut his
wooden leg, and said nothing.
But" added Mr. Nottingham, about that
Falkirk place. It's little gem of house,
aud I've always wanted a.house of my own
This rentpaying business don't altogether suit
me. And | could give mortgage for 900, if
you would allow me to use your name as secu.
rity"
"Oh, certainly, certainlyr' said Uncle
Wetherbee, use ii as much as you like"
And Mr. Nottingham went Off rejoicing.
But Wigs & Sangster, the agents in
charge of the Falkirk place, were exultan'
when he arrived.
-Four hundred pounds and mortgage fOl
he balance, is very WE'LL" said Mr.. Ssngster
but they had had another offer this morning
Of cash downl And they had considered
1t their duty to Mr.. Falkirk to close with IT