Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-28
Hiram Graham's Investment.

we have got $1,000 ahead, and the
question is how are we going to invest
it p
Hiram Graham, sitting just enjoy the
grateful GOODNESS of the summer even
nlng, threw aside his paper as he spoke,
and awaited his wife'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 to do with it long ago. You
know the saying "A man TO save mo-
ney, and woman to spend it. and he
laughed good natured.
Yes Mrs. Graham had made up her
mind long ago. The thought ola time
when they should be clear Of debt and
some Of their surplus earnings could be
expended for home comforts, had help
ed her to make over and repair many
an old garment that she was about to
throw aside in despair; it had encour-
aged her 10 contend with numberless
Inconvenience. But now that the time
had really come, she felt strange re-
luctance about revealing her thoughts.
she was oppressed with fear that her
plans might be dashed to
the earth. However, she commenced
bravely enough;
L have thought we should repaint the
house some pretty color. such as silver
grey, and have shutters put up at the
windows the right shade Of green to
with the color Of the house
the same as the green leaves Of the
popular harmonize with the soft grey
of its trunk and branches
why, Jennie, exclaimed Mr.. Gra-
lam, there is a good coat Of paint on
the house now. And there is no color
as durable as red led,in my estimation
And continued his wife, Il would
have the yard enclosed with neat pick
ct fence
Il don't see any use in tearing down
that fence. The rails are as good and
sound as they were twenty years ago.
please don't interrupt me, Hiram. /
would repaper the rooms, buy a new
ingram carpet for the parlor and muslin
curtains for the windows
'Thunderation What is the sense
of having curtains il you have shutterss
Besides, these paper curtains answer
every purpose, as 1 can see. The pa
per on the walls is perfectly whole
1t is true that you haye patched it con-
slderably; but that don't show much.
And as for the carpet--why, haven't
YOU cot a new rag carpet in the room
now 2
Yes but that would be for the SIT
ting-room. AndI would have a bay
window made Off the south side Of the
sitting room for house plants
Mr.. Graham laughed outright at this.
Now, Jennie; be said, L have never
said anything about it, but have always
it was kind OF foolish to spend
as much mouey and time as you do
fussing with flowers outdoors; but when
you come to make hower-beds of-that
beats me!
Hiram said Mrs. Graham, you ask
ed me for my opinion. Now please
don't interrupt me y
Very well, Go ahead.'
Il would have a porhco built over
where you are sitting, and a wood-house
and a large cool pantry, that need so
much, on the back ofthe kitchen. One
part OF the wood house would be finish
ed Of. where the cook stove could stand
IN w:rm weather. 1t would be so
much cooler working there than in the
close kitchen. And the kitchen, too
would be so much cooler for to eat in.
Besides this, there are many little
adornments, such as pictures, etc., that
would add afterwards
why y exclaimed Mr.. Graham, If
we were 10 go into that it would take
every cent of the money!
well, we earned it 10 invest in some
thing, didn't we p
Yes, but 1 want to invest my money
in something that will bring me in some
kind of an income
1T would bring US in the best of all
incomes not in dollars, but what is
better far.-in Joy and happines. Life
would have a fuller and purer meaning
for us both; it would bring higher and
better atmosphere IN which to rear up
our children. Even the dumming-bird
loves to deck its sweet little nest with
pretty MOSES and lichens. Ought we
not to have as much love for home and
its adornigs as Gods dumb creatures p
L have something more important
to live for than a humming-bird has,
SAID Mr.. Graham, ,tartly. i would rath'
leave something more substantial to my
children, such as bonds, well titled acres
for instance. l will tell you what
have been thinking of, he said, with the
the air Of one who felt that the express
ing of his opinion must necessarily brine
conviction of This superior judgm ent
You know that l have always wanted
that forty-acre lot of Southwell's tba
joins me on the north. They say h
is hard up now, and when he finds on
that can make large payment down
1 believe I could get it mighty reasona
BILE. And when get that paid for,
would have one Of the best farms in th
county. Now what do you say to that
he asked triumphantly.
1T would run us right into debt again,