Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-07-07
The Sturp TenRr.
MAKING THE ENDS MEET.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.
CHAPTER ]

CHAPTER J..
Richard Lane was esteemed prudent
careful young man, by all who knew him
His father was poor man, and unable to dc
ANYTHING for him than to give him good
common school education, which was in itself
fortune. As boy he had gone into store
and worked his way along by slow degrees,
till at the opening of our story he had sala'
ry of six hundred dollars year, as salesman
Three years before he had made the &C,
quaintance of Isabel Walker, and from that
time new hope animated him. He thought
of the future and the delights of horne. His
own home, with Isabel for his wife, occupied
the foreground of his picture for the future.
He had an idea of domestic bliss, which he
meant to realize, and with this intent he saved
portion of his salary every year, so that
when he was ready to get married, ne had
$500 to 60 to house keeping with.
Isabel Walker was an orphan, with moth
ing to depend upon but her own earnings.
She had received a tolerable education, and
early exhibited remarkable talent for mu.
sic. Some kind friends had assisted her to
cultivate it, and now she earned very hand
some salary as teacher of music She was
a very pretty girl, and her amiable character
and pleasant manners rendered her general
favorite, even in the circles of wealth and
fashion.
Richard and Isabel were married, and ta.
king half of good house at a rent OF one
hundred and fifty dollars they went to house.
keeping in preference to boarding Richards
accumulated fund enabled him to furnish his
rooms very prettily, though not very elegant
ly or fashionably but Isabel was satisfied,
was delighted with her new situation.
For year they were as happy and con-
tented as they could be, nor sighed for any
of the luxuries or vanities which Richards
small salary did not enable him to buy. At
the beginning of new year, the young hus'
bands employers voluntarily raised his sala'
ry to seven hundred dollars year.
"Now Isabel you shall hava piano" said
Richard, after he had announced the CRAFTY
ing intelligence.
"Oh no, Richard we cannot afford to keep
piano" Isabel demonstrated.
"I think we can know firm that will
trust me for one-will give me six months
credit"
"But Richard, you cannot pay for one in
six months"
II can pay part of it, and they will wait
longer for the rest. can pay hundred
dollars, least, towards it"
II fear not. Why, look at your account
book. Our expenses for the first year we
have been housekeeping are little more than
six hundred dollars. If you had not had
some money, we should have been in debt
This seven hundred dollars will just enable
us to live as we have lived, nothing more"
"There were great many extra expenses
the first year. 1t will not cost US more than
$500 this year."
"Then we will have the piano at the eDd
Of the year. 1t will be much better to pay
for it than run in debt for it."
This was excellent philosophy on the part
of Mrs. Lane, and it would have been wise
in her husband to have adopted it.
Don't you want the piano. Isabel ?" he
asked somewhat astonished at her earnest.
ness.
"Oh very mucha have often thought how
pleasant should pass away my leisure hours
when you are away, if 1 only mad piano.
But really Richard, never thought of such
a thing as having one. can do without it
very we'll, and l beg you will not run in debt
for one"
"Just as I thought. l know one so fond of
music as you are, must need piano very
much, and you shall have one, Isabel" and
the devoted husband kissed her tenderly. He
was very fond and very proud Of her.
II will not consent, Richard. l am afraid
if you run in debt, some terrible thing will
happen"
"You must not be frightened by bugbear.
have 500 left. I can buy & good one for
$500, so l shall owe but, 5000, which l am
sure I can pay within one year Nay, my
dear, you must consent for it will make me
so happy to feel that you have no unsatis6ed
want"
"On one condition, I will consent" said
Isabel, glancing archly at him.
"What is it?"
"rhat you will let me sing in church"
81 am too proud to let you do that"
"You must not be so proud. The society
has offered me S100 year. could pay so
much towards the piano."
Il am able to support you Isabel, and l
don't want you to earn your own living" :.
Isabel pleaded earnestly, and the husband
offered great many objections, but at last
he consented. The piano was purchased, and
Isabel knew no unsatis6ed wants.