The Baltimore County union., 1882-01-21
DO NOT LIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS

at all amounts to the same at last"
ARLINGTON, Mp., January IL, 1852.
DO NOT LIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS
"This is pleasant !" exclaimed q
young husband, taking his seat in the
rocking chair as the supper things were
removed. The fire glowing in the crate,
revealed pretty and neatly furnished
sitting room, with all the appliances o
comfort. The fatiguing business Of the
day was over, and he sat enjoying what
he had all day been anticipating, the
delights of his own fire-sidc. His pref
~ wife, Esther, took her work and sal
down by the table.
"It is pleasant to have home of one:
own," he again said, taking satisfac.
tory survey of his little quarters. The
cold rain beat against the windows, and
he thought he felt really grateful for al
his present comforts.
"Now if we only had piano." ex'
claimed the wife.
"Give me the music Of your own
sweet voice before all the pianos in crca.
tion," he observed complimentary
but he felt a certain secret disappoint.
ment that his wife's thankfulness did
not happily chime with his own.
"Well, but we want one for oui
friends" said Esther.
"Let our friends come TO see US, and
not to hear piano." exclaimed the
husband.
"But, George, everybody has a piano,
now-a-days-we don't go anywhere
without seeing a piano." persisted the
wife.
"And yet, | don't know what We
want one for-you will have no time
TO play on one, and | don't want to
hear il"
"Why, they are so fashionable
think our room looks nearly naked with.
out one"
81 think it looks just right"
al think it looks very naked-ws
want a piano shockingly," protested
Esther emphatically.
The husband rocked violently.
"Your lamp smokes, my DEAR" said
he after long pause. "
"When are you going to get chan
delier? have told you 4 dozen time,
how much we needed one," said Esther
pettishly.
"These are pretty lamps-we dom
need any chandeliers, /" said her husband
"rhese lamps are the prettiest of tht
kind | ever saw.
"But, George, l don't think our room
is complete without chandelier" sale
Esther, sharply. "rhey are so fashion
able Why the Morgans and Millers
and many Others I might mention, al
have them am sure we ought to"
"We ought TO il we take pattern b,
other peoples expenses, and | don't SCI
any reason in that.
The husband moved uneasily in hi
chair.
"we want to live as well as Others,
said Esther.
"We want to live within our means
Esther" exclaimed George.
al am sure we can afford it rs we'll a
the Morgans, and Millers, and Thorns
We do not wish to appear mean."
Georges checks crimsoned.
"Mean am not mean !" he criet
angrily.
"Then we do not wish to appear so,
said the wife. "To complete this room
and make it look like other peoples w
want a piano and chandelier.
"We want-we want !" muttered tn
husband, "there's no satisfying woman
wants, do what you may" and he ab
ruptly left the room.
How many husbands are in simila
dilemma How many houses and hus
bands are rendered uncomfortable b
the constant dissatisfaction Of a wifi
with present comforts and present pro
visions. How many bright prospect
for business have ended in bankruptc
and ruin, in order to satisfy this secre
hankering after fashionable necessaries
Could the real cause OF so many failure
be known, il would be found to resul
from useless expenditures at home-ex
pense to answer the demands of fashio
and "what will people think ?"
"My wife has made my fortune,
said gentleman Of great possessions
"by her thrift, and prudence, and cheer
fulness, when / was just beginning"
"And mine has lost mine," answers
hiscompanion, "by useless extravaganc
and repining when was doing well. I"
What a world does this open to tn
influence which wife possesses over th