The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-03
How We got a Home.

money that had earned Dy outoI-
doors work. The fact Is, I'm clerk In
downtown store, at a salary Of 5000
per annum, and pretty wife and baby
TO support out Of II.
suppose this income will sound
amazingly small to your two and three
thousand dollar offlce-holders, but never
theless we contrive to live very comfort
ably upon 1t. We live on one floor of
an unpretendlng little house, for which
we pay $3.50 per annum, and Kitty, my
wife, you'll understand--does all her
own house work: 80 that we lay up a
neat little sum every year. I've got a
balance of two or three hundred dollars
at the savings bank, the hoard of sever
al years, and 1t is astonishing how rich
feel Why, Rothschild himself isn't
circumstance to mel
Well, came home with my extra bill
and showed 1t triumphantly to Kitty,
who of course was delighted with my
industry and thrift.
"Now, my love-" said |, "just add this
to our account at the bank, with inter-
est at the end of the year.
Forthwith commenced casting in
terest and calculating in my BRAIN
Kitty was silent, and rocking the cradle
musingly with her foot.
"I've been thinking Harry" she said
after moments pause, that since you
have this extra money we might afford
to buy new rug. This is getting dread
full shabby, my dear, you must see."
looked dolefully at the rug 1t
was worn and shabby enough, that was
fact.
" / can get beautiful new velvet pat
tern for seven dollars" resumed my
wife.
Velvet-seven dollars ~ groaned L.
Well then common tufted rug like
this would only cost three" said my
cautious better-half, who, seeing she
couldn't carry her first ambitious point,
wisely Withdrew her guns.
"That's more sensible" said l." Well
We'll see about It,"
"And there's another thing want"
continued my wife, putting her hand
coaxingly on my shoulder, land it's not
at all extravagant, either"
"What is n" asked, softening rap
idly.
81 saw such lovely dress pattern on
Canal street, this morning, and l can
get it for six dollars-only six dollars,
Harry It's the cheapest thing ! ever
saw"
But haven't you got very pretty
silk dress ?''
"That old thing Why, Harry I've
worn it ever since we've been married."
{" Is it soiled or ragged
"No, of course; but who wants to
wear the same green dress foreverY Ev-
erybody knows its the only silk have.
"Well what them ?"
"That's just mans question:" pout-
ed Kitty. "And suppose you have
not observed how old fashioned my bon
net is getting p''
Why, thought it looked very neat
and tasteful since you put on that black
velvet trimming.
OF course-you men have no taste in
such matters"
We were silent for moment; I'm
afraid we both felt little cross and out
of humor with one another. In fact on
my journey home, had entertained Sc
rious thoughts of exchanging my old
silver time piece for modern gold
watch, and had mentally appropriated
the $40 to furthering that purpose. Saw
ings-bank reflections had come later.
AS we sat before our fire, each wrap
ped in thought, our neighbor, Mr.. Will
mot, knocked at the door. He was en-
ployed at the same store with myself,
and his wife was an old family friend.
81 want you to congratulate me-" he
said, taking seat. 81 have purchased
that little cottage out on the Blooming
ton road today"
What that beautiful little cottage
with the piazza and lawn, and fruit gar
den behind ?" exclaimed Kitty, almost
enviously.
Is it possible ?" cried.
A little cottage home of my own, just
like that on the Bloomingdale road had
always been the crowning ambition of
my hfe-a distant and almost hopeless
point, but no less earnestly desired.
Why, Wilmot," said I, show did
this happen9 you've only been in bus
mess eight or ten years longer than I, at
a salary but trifle larger than mine,
yet 1 could as soon buy up the mint as