The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-03
Selert Sturp.
Hiram Graham's Investment.

"Now we are not only out Of debt, bu
We have got 81 900 ahead, and the ques
ton Is how are We going to invest il p
Hiram Graham, sitting just outside o
the open door, to enjoy the grateful cool
ness OF the summer evening, threw aside
his paper as he spoke, and awaited biz
wife's reply. His wife, busy over hel
sewing, did not answer Immediately.
Come he said, "let Inc have youl
opinion. I'll bet you've made up youl
mind what to do with il long ago. You
Know the saying "A man to save money
aud woman to spend it, 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 earnings could bo
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 to
contend with numboress Inconvenience
But now that the time had really come, she
ielt strange reluctance about revealing
her thoughts.
She was oppressed with fear that her
long S'chershed plans might be dashed to
the earth. However, she commenced
brayely enough.
Il have thought We would repaint the
house some pretty color, such as silver
grey, and have shutters put up at the win
dows the right shade of green to harmo.
nize with the color of the house-thc same
as the green leaves of the poplar harmo-
nize with the soft gray Of its trunk and
branches"
"Why, Jennie, exclaimed Mr.. Graham,
There is a good coat Of paint on the house
now. And there is no color as durable as
red lead, in my estimation"
"And, continued his wife, "I would
have the yard closed with neat picket
fence"
81 don't sec 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. I
would repaper the rooms, buy new in
grain carpet for the parlor aud mrs,in cur
talbs IOr tue WINDOWS.
"Thunderation What is the sense of
having curtains if you have shutters?
Besides, these paper curtains answer every
purpose, as far as | can see. The paper
on the walls is perfectly whole 1t is true
that you have patched it considerably; hut
that don't show much. And as for the
earpet--why, haven't you got new rug.
carpet in the room now ?"
"ies; but that would be for the sitting
room, And | would have bay window
made of the south side of the sitting room
for house plants"
Mr.. Graham laughed outright at this.
"Now Jennie" he said, II have never
said anything about it, but have always
thought it kind of foolish to spend as much
money and time as you do fussing with
flowers out doors; but when you come to
make fOwerbeds of--that beats me ~
"Hiram," said Mr. Graham. "you
asked me for my opinion. Now please
don't interrupt me.
"Very well. Go ahead
al would have a portico built over
where you are sitting, and a wood-ho
and large cool pantry, that need so
much, on the back Of the kitchen. One
part OF tho wood-housc would be finished
of, where tho cook stove could stand in
warm weather. 1t would be so much
cooler for us to eat 10. Besides this
there are many little adornments, such as
pictures, etc, that | would add after.
wards"
"WhyP exclaimed Mr.. Graham, "if we
were to 60 into that it would take every
cent Of the money"
"Well, We earned it to invest in some. |
thing, didn't we2"
Yes, but 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 in
eomes-not in dollars, but what is better
farm joy and happiness. Life would
have fuller and purer meaning for us
both Il would bring higher aud better
atmosphere in which to rear up our chill
dren. Even the humming bird loves to
deck its sweet little nest with urettv
moses and lichens. Ought we not to
have as much love for home and its adorn.
ings as Gods dumb creatures p
. III have something more important to
live for than humming bird has" said
Mr.. Graham tartly. II would rather
leave something more substantial to NV
children, such MS bonds, we'll titled acres.
tor instance. will tell you what | have
been thinking oil" he said, with an air of
one who felt that the expressing of his
opinion must necessarily bring conyic-
,'on OF his superior judgment. "You
know that | have always wanted that
forty-acre lot of Southweli's that joius me
on che north. They say he is hard up
now, and when he finds out that can
make large payment down. believe I
could get IL mighty reasonable And
"nen ! get that paid for, would have
one OF the best farms 10 the country. Now
u VII
-, aiswOuid Nv, run US right into debt again"
swell, supposing 1t did. Wc hovo
swung clear this time easy cpouyh and
can again. You must remember In, ,ha
'and was badly run down when first cot
mold Of Il, but the farm is ia good eondi.
lion now" ~o
easy euvugh!" Mrs. Graham did mo.
repeat the words aloud. Her husband ,
lid not know of the little sacrifices and i
irts Of self-denial il had cost her. He
never could know il, and therein lies the
'athOs Of many sacrifice.