Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-06-26
A Vexed Question.

are worn out, and she needs new
slate; and Bridget's wages were due
last besides, there's scarcely
anything in the house for dinner"
There was faint smile on Mrs.
Barnard's lips, but her eyes looked
anxious.
"Oh, botherl Minnie. How long
is it since I gave you ten dollars? Is
that used up already? Seems to me
women spend lot of money p
The quick tears sprang to Minnie's
eyes, but she did not allow them to
fall as she said.
You know, Charlie, that the ex-
pefses must go on, if we keep house
at all; and if you could bring your
sci to give me regular allowance
for them / should not have to bother
you sooften.'
''Well, that's an old story. Here's
ten dollars, and | wish you to be
caleful how you spend it," And Mr..
Barnard took his hat, and actually
| kissed his wife, after such an exhibi-
tioI of rudeness as he would be
| ashamed to show to the merest ac-
qufintance. Then he went to his
offi,e feeling very generous and very
viruous.
After he had gone, Minnie went
to ler room and burst into an agony
of Weeping. She felt crushed and
huniliated, and bitterly angry that
herhusband could bring such accus-
atins against her at all, but particu-
larry that he could do it in such an
air. manner, as though he were Civ
inga light thump to a wooden doll!
AM after all her pinching economies,
too in order that the children might
appear respectable, and that she
might at the same time provide a
geIerous and wholesome table, which
sheconsidered due to her husband |
Asfor herself, she had not indulged
in new winter suit for five years
and yet she had made over, touched
up.and dyed and darned to such an
exent that her obtuse better half |
wa utterly oblivous of either her de
fcencies or her sacrifices. 'sIf |
wee to appear with market basket
ormy head and the American FLAG
fo a shawl Charlie would never
kDw it." she thought bitterly.
So hat is the use-what is the use
ofliying at all? And then to have
tobeg for every dollar to keep the
house going, as if were an uninter-
ested outside factor Can Charlie
know how much trouble it is to get
on with the housnL Lo9,ei iio7naJ humiIi-
even when Jue 1.-c''eu.liIioii''i h"ih'ii
= no 0H..quen upon me? Is this the
aGp
Garlic who was so eager to win me,
wb paid me such delicate, watchtul
attentions when / was pretty, free
Minnie Warfeld? If married life is
ony a convenience to man, In Or
dr that he may have an opportunity
Il throw aside with his office coat
aud slippers, the ordinary courtesles
OF life, marriage must be blunder
Marriage doesn't dull sensibilitles-
it only hightens them. Whose fault
can it be? Charlie told me. that we
should not be rich, but that his IN
come would comfortably support us.
Then why all this wrong and sacri-
flee and pinching in order to appear
like other people, and other people
with less income, too?" Then she
took this trouble, where she had been
in the. habit of taking her troubles for
long time, to the Lord.
Rising from her knees, the resolute
little woman dried her eyes, and pro-
ceeded to think out the matter In a
practical way. 'Charlie has given
me a good deal of money, It's true
and have always been careful IN
spending it too. Let me see. Could
/ oct on without Bridget, l wonder:
and so save her wages! Bu'
there's the washing and ironing.
Just then the baby woke and cried
and Mrs. Barnard thought she woulo
have to keep Bridget. ''Well
there is Mary and Phil; they mus
90 to school, and they can't 60 shah
by. either, that's certain, and the.
must have books, too. How L WIS
I could have books with a sigh
'sThere is my home paper. L coul'
spare that, | suppose, though 1t
like little piece of home ever
week. Charlie brought home neN
, parlor clock, the other day, we coul
D have done without that, and it make
d every thing else in the room look
t badly, too, in contrast. There
:. nv silver card casket Charlie CAV
me my last birthday. It's beautiful
e and very good of him, too. am $
I thankful didn't hurt his feelings [
K telling him I'd rather have had I'll
70 money for boots and gloves, mil
- - are so dreadful shabby. Charlie a
g ways looks nicely, but then l like
: - have him. The baby was quiet
er this time, and Minnie took a penc
70 ~ in handsome gold case, one OF b
If husbands gifts, too. She thong
~ ~ again, as she took it, how good
de was, after all, and went to her des
Ila an all mother of pearl and crims
to velvet-for a sheet of paper. In
u u she made a long list of articles
IS. wages, meat, butter, milk, flour,