Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-02-23
If we only had a Piano.

ed sitting>room. with all the appliances
of comfort. The ialiguing business OF
the day WINS over, and he sat enjoying.
what he had all day been anticipating,
the delights OF bis own 6reside. His
pretty wife, Esther, took her work and
sat down by the table.
1t is pleasant to have home OF
ones own, he said, taking satisfac-
tory survey of his snug little quarters.
lThe cod rain beat against the windows,
and he felt really grateful for all his
present comforts.
Now if we only had piano" said
the wife
Give me the music OF your sweet
voice before all the pianos in creation,
he exclaimed, complimentary, despite
certain secret disappointment that a
wife's thanklulness dill not happily
chime with his own.
well, but we want one for Our
friends, said Esther.
Let our friends come and see Us,
aud hear a pianop exclaimed the hus.
banI.
But. George, everybody has piano
w.a.da, s--we don't 60 anywhere
without seeing piano. persisted the
wife.
And yet 1 don't know what We
want one for; you will have no time
t. play on Que, and l don't want to
hear it,
why, they are so fashionable. |
think our room looks really naked with
oit one.'
i think it looks just right
1 think it looks very nakcd-we
want a piano shockIngly,' protested
Esther, emphatically.
The husband rocked bis chair Violent
ly to and fro.
Your lamp smokes, my DEAR he
said, after long pause.
when are you going TO get an astral
lamp? have told you a dozen times
how much We need one,' said Esther,
pettishly.
Those will do, l guess
But you know everybody, now. "a,
days, wants astral lamps
Those lamps are the prettiest OF the
kind l ever saw-they were bought al
Boston,
But, George, l do not think our
room is complete without an astral
lanp,' SAID the wife, sharply; they
are so fashionable why, the D--s,
aud B-s, and As all have them;
am sure we ought to-
We ought to, if we take pattern BY
other peoples expense, and don't
see any reason for that
The husband moved uueaslly in his
chair.
'We want to live within our means,
Esther exclaimed George.
lam sure, should think we could
afford it as we'll as the B-s, and L-s,
and many others could mention-We
do not wish to appear decidedly mean!'
toe wife ejacululed, her eyes swapping
a little more than usual.
Georges cheek crimsoned.
Mean am not mean y he cried,
angrlly.
Then you do not wish 10 appear ,o,'
said the wife. To complet this room.
and make it like other peoples, We
want piano and an astral lamp
we want-we want!'-muttered the
husband. There is no Satisfying wo~
mans wants, do what you maYn and
he abruptly left the room.
How many husbands are in similar
dilemma. How many homes aud hus-
bands are rendered uncomfortable BY
the constant dissatisfaction Of a vile
with present comforts and present
provisions. How many bright pros
poets FOR business have ended in bank
ruplcy and ruin, in order to satisfy this
secret hankering after ia'hien able d,
necessaries. Could the real causeol
many failure be known, it would be 8
found TO resul. from useless expendi. ,
ture at bOme-expeose to answer the
great demands Of fashion, and what
will people say. of US p 7
My wife has made my fortune said
a gen tleman of great possessions, 'by
her thrift, prudence, and cheeriulness,
when l was just begnnlng.'
AAnd mine has lost my fortune an /
s~ered his companion, bitterly, by r
useless extravaganza and repinlng' 5
when was doing WELL
What a world does this open Of the y
influence which vile possesses over Il
the future prosperity Of her family! /
Let the wife know her influence, and J
Iry to use it wisely and we'll. S
Be satisfied 10 commence small. Ii o
!. too common for young housekeepers I
10 begin where their mothers ended. 5
Buy all that is necessary to work skill n
Tully with; adorn your housc with all Il
hat will render it comfortable. Do mol f
ook at richer homes, aud covet their
costly furniture. If secret dissatisiac-
ion is ready TO spring up. go a step
urther and visit the homes Of the poor :
and suffering /; behold dark, cheerless
apartments, insufficient clothing, an ;,
,bsence of the comforts and refine !,
ueuts of. social life f; then return to
,our own with icyful spirit. You
will then be pr, pared to meet your "a
.tl -,ti, m oratafn1 hparf and he | "