The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-12-16
Selfrf Stosp.
A GOOD INVESTMENT.

q II = E 1
"Now we are not only out of debt
but we have got 81 900 ahead. aud the
question is, how are you going to invest
it2"
Hiram Graham, sitting just outside oil
the open door to enjov the grateful cool
ness Of the summer evening, threw aside
bis paper as he spoke, anG awaited his
wifs's reply. His wife, busy over her
sewing, did not answer immediately.
"Come," he said, 'let me have your
opinion I'll bet you've made up your
mind what you'P do with it long ago
You know the saying: "A man to save
money, and q woman to spend it," and
he laughed good naturedly.
Yes, Mrs. Graham had made up her
mind long ago. The thought of time
when they should be clear Of debt and
some of their surplus earnings could be
expended for home comforts, had helped
her to make over and repair many an
old garment that she was about to throw
aside in despair it had encouraged her
10 contend with numberless inconveni-
ences. But now that the time had really
come, she felt strange reluctance about
revealing ber thoughts.
She was oppressed with fear that her
long cherished plans might be dashed t''
The earth. However, she commenced
bravely enough:
81 have thought we would repaint the
house some pretty color, such as silver
gray, and have shutters put up at the
windows the right shade Of green ,o
harmonize with the color Of The house
the same as the green leaves Of the pop.
lar harmonize with the soft gray Of itt
trunk and branches"
"Why, Jennie" exclaimed Mr.. Ora.
ham, "there is good coat Of paint or
the house now, And there is no colol
as durable as red lead, in my estima.
tion." aa anfa asets3f
"And," continued the wife, az would
have the yard enclosed with neat pick
ct fence"
81 don't see any use in tearing dowr
that fence The rails are as good snd
sound as they were twenty years ago."
"Please don't interrup, me. Hiram.
would repaper the rooms, buy new in
grain carpet for the parlor, and muslin
curtains for the windows
"Thuuderation! What is the sense o
having curtains if you have shutters -
Besides, these paper curtains answer
every purpose as far as can see Th,
paper on the walls is perfectly whole
It ia true that you have patched it con
siderabiy but that don't show much
And as for the csrpet-why haven't you
| got new rag carpet in the room now ?
"Yes, but that would be for the sitting
room. And would have bay windo'
made OF the south side of the sittin.
room for house plants"
Mr.. Graham laughed outright at this
'Now, Jennie" he said, 81 have neve
said anything about it, but have Away
thought it was kind Of foolish to spenl
so much money and time as you do fas
tsing with flowers outdoors; but whei
you core to make Hower-beds of-ths
beats mer'
"Hifaml" said Mrs. Graham, "yo
asked me for my opinion. Now pleas
don't interrupt me-"
"very well. Go ahead"
81 would have q portico built owe
where you are citing, anG o woodhous
and q large cool pantry, that I need .
much, on the back of the kitchen. On
part OF the woodhouse would be fnishe
of, where the cook stove could stand i
warm weather. 1t would be so muc
cooler working there than in the clos
kitchen. And the kitchen, too, woul
he 60 much cooler for rs to eat in. Be
sides this there are many little adorr
lments, s,such as pictures, etc, that woul
ladd afterwards" a =
"Why!" exclaimed Mr.. Graham, g
we were to go into that IL would tai
every cent of the money"