Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-03-16
MONEY WE'LL SPENT.
OR
WIFE'S SURPRISE.

"Now we are not only out of debt, but
we have got 81 900 ahead, and the ques-
tion is how are we going to invest it ?"
Hiram Graham, sitting just outside of
the open door, to enjoy the grateful
GOODNESS of the summer evening, threw
aside his paper as he spoke. and await
ed his wife's reply. His wife, busy over
her sewing, did not answer Immediate
ly:
"Come," he said, "let me have your
opinion. I'll bet you've made up your
mind what to do with 1T long ago. You
know the saying, A man to save money
and q woman to spend it,,3 and he
laughed good naturedly.
Yes, Mrs. Graham had made up her
mind long ago. The thought of a time
when they should be clear of debt, and
some of their surplus earning could be
expended for home comforts, had help
ed her to make over and repair many
an old garment that shs was ab0pt to
throw away in despair; 1t had encour-
aged her to contend with numberless in
conveniences. But now the time had
really come, she felt strange reluctance
about revealing her thoughts.
She was oppressed with fear that her
to the earth. However, she commenced
bravely enough.
II have thought we would repaint the
house some pretty color, such as silver
grey, and have shutters put up at the
windows the right shade of green to
harmonize with the color of the house
the same as the green leaves of the pop
lar harmonize with the soft grey of its
frilnk- and hr6nehea-U
"Why. Jennie" exclaimed Mr.. Gra-
ham, "there Is good coat of paint on
the house now. And no color 10 az dur
able as red lead, in my estimation"
"And," continued his wife. II would
hove the yard closed in with neat pick
ct fenGs[:i
II don't see any see in tearing down
that fence. The rails are as good and
sound as they were twenty years ago."
"Please don't interrupt me, Hiram. I
would renaper the rooms, buy Q new in
grain carpet for the parlor and muslin
curtains for the windows"
"Thunderation! What is the sense
of having curtains if you have shut
tiers? Besides, these paper curtains an
swer every purpose, as far as can see.
The paper on the walls is perfectly
ed it considerably But TILT DONE show
much. And as for the carpet-why
haven'tyou got new rag carpet in the
room nOw?"
"Yes. but that would be for the sitting
room. And 1 would have a bay window
made off the south side of the sitting
room of'house plapts.l'
Mr.. Graham laughed outright at this
"Now, Jennie" he said, II never said
anything about it, but have always
thought it kind of foolish to spend as
much money and time as you do fussine
with flowers out doors but when you
come to make flower beds of-that beats
mel"
Hiram" said Mrs. Graham, "you
asked me for my opinion. Now please
don't interrupt me-"
Every well. Go ahead"
II would have a portico built ovel
where you are sitting, and . Yoodhonse
and large c0QR pantry, that need 80
much, on the back of the kitchen. One
part Of the Woodhogse would be finish.
ed off, where the cook stove could stand
In warm weather. 1t would be 30 much
cooler for US to eat In. Besides this,
there are many little adornments, such
as pictures, etc, that I would add after
ward.n !.
"Why" exclaimed Mr.. Graham, I'll
we were to go into that it would take
every cent OF the money"
"Well, we earned it to invest in some
thing. didn't we?"
Eyes, but want to invest my money
in something that will bring me in some
kind of an income"
ut would bring us the best of all IN
comes-not in dollars, but what is better
farm joy and happiness. Life wouIo
both it would bring higher and bettel