The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-07-28

of shoes, Ncd.iy's boots had to be half:
solet, and baby took the Group. and in,
Cured Doctors bill, and all these
sundrles were paid out of mammals
pocket. In addition, Mr.. Braxton llat
company to diue, which involved some
extra expense.
The week e.uled, and Saturday nigh
came. AT supper the iatber's brow
was clouded. He had no smile for his
wife. no pleasant wor.I Tor hisschil!reD
"What is it, dear?" his wife asked
when The table was cleared away, am
the little ones were in bed. ''Whu
troubles you?"
''Oh, Bess, it's that coiifountletl mort,
gage; il will be the ruin nf us vet. |,
gives me The blues every time tlinh
about H."
''Il'sa great pity, John, we ever in,
numbered ourselves with IT,"
',rI,al'S a fact. twill leave lie chill.
''rcn without Il roof to shelter them cue
OF these days. But how the deuce coul,
we help il? We were compelled t,
have money"
eyes, alter the .lebts were incurred
some OF them might have been avoid.
c.l, though" I'D.
'.Some OF them? What ,'o you mean
Why in thunder drn'l YOU avoi.' lien,
i'en? You preach, hui yo,. 'loi''t prac-
tee, Be>s How am TO save money
when you a,e always spending itH'
II don't spend cent more l;an is
needInl. john, us you will zee present.
ly. This is our night for comparing
no'e., you remember. Here is my
weeks account all down int black and
white. and l have just twenty dollars,
Now for yours, john"
Mr.. Braxton drew forth bis pocket
book will. alacrity.
''Dear me! | have spent little OR
nothing, Bess, assure you. Let's see
-l,ow much had II"
'Tl,iIty-live dollars, Johu.''
$50 had. Well, here's ten, fifteen,
seventeen dollars. Where's the rest
by George, | can't have lost it,"
sit isn't likely, John.'
swell, what has become of it, Bess
1 haven't let you have it,"
"No; you have spent 1t, john"
ono, haven't spent it. tell you
| have spent nothing this week."
We'll, count up your expenses, john.
! will put down tile items. What did
you spend OH Mondays" s
Son Monday? Well, tablets
see--three drinks. usually have three
drinks day"
elbow much was that? Seventy-five
cents? 20
I "No. Barnes and Packard were with
me I'm the morning.
"And you paid for all /? That was one
and IL quarter, then; and how much for
cigars?"
swell, we had half Dozen"
s'ren cents apiece?"
aNo, Bess What do you take me
fors can't smoke a common cigar
twenty cents"
every well, a dollar and twenty
more. Well, what else?''
"Notl,ing ofany account-only lunch
that's seventy-five. And by George
forgot the supper at Frizbie's: thai
cost us five dollars heal"
eyes, and you've been to the opera
haven't you? Two dollars more
"AIore than that, Bess. We dropped
luln NlNdiiG . lOI q
(which cost YOU"
"Well, there were some six or seven
clerks along, and a fellow hates to be
mean. 1t was over five that night
Bess."
Bess laughed and threw aside he'
pencil.
"No need to take down any more
items, John-you see how it goes
You have not lost your money, you've
spent it."
81 believe have, Bess. I'm done
I will never say another word to yot
about extravaganza while | live"
but l save something to say L
you, JOHN. You are anxious to be rid
of this mortgage, yon say. Suppose
yon let ne pay it off z"
"You, Bess 2 Why, its nine hundred
dollars, little woman."
81 know, and you've spent eishtee'
| dollars this week !; you spend rs macl,
aud more sometimes, every week
| john" Hsq
sob, no, Cess"
"Well, hear me ont. Promise t
sixe up the cigals and the drinks, ant
| tile wine suppe,s, john, for two yea, 6
aud let ME manage the money. dt
not want to deprive you of any com
fort, Int am sure you will feel all tl'
bet ter FIR the sacrifice, aud we ouslI
10 think of tile children, John, and b
willing to deny ourselves Tor tl,ei
| sakes. You will promise, won't you