Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-08-09
A WOMAN'S MANAGEMENT.


Mr.. Ezra Newton's year closed on
Christmas or rather he began work with
his employer on Christmas. The second
year closed on Friday, and on Christmas
day, which was Sunday, Mr.. Newton
was looking over his cash accounts for
the year. "Well," asked his wife,
show do you come outr"
81 find," said her husband, "that my
expenses during last year have been 81
cents over 81, ,OOo."
"And your income has been ST.
OOOr'
"Yes; guessed pretty well, didn t
II"
"Do you think it managing well to
exceed your income?" asked his wife.
whats 81 cents p asked Mr.. New.
ton, lightly. .....s
"Not much, to be sure, but still
something. II seems to me that we
ought to have saved, instead of falling
behind"
but how can We save on this salary.
Elizabeth? We haven't lived extrava-
gantly. Still it seems to have taken it
ALL" g.
perhaps there is something in which
we might retrench. Suppose you men,
ton some of the items"
"The most important is house rent,
$50, and articles of food, $500"
Just half"
"Yes, and you admit you can't re-
trench them. like to live well had
enough of poor bread before l mar
ried. Now mean to live rs well ms I
can"
"Still we ought to save something
for rainy day, Ezra"
THAT would be like carrying an UNI
brella when the sun shines.
"Still it is we'll to have an umbrella
in the house.
II can't controvert your logic, Eliza
beth, but am afraid ] shan't be able to
save anything this year. When get
my salary raised it will be time enough
to think of that"
LET me make proposition to you, "
said Mrs. Newton. You said that one
half Of your income had been expended
on articles of food. Are you willing TO
allow me that sum for that purpose?'
"You guarantee to pay all bills out
Of it?"
"Yes."
"Then shift the responsibility upon
you with pleasure. But, 1 tell you be.
forehand, You won't be able 20 save
much ont of it, and shouldn't relish
having any additiona! bills TO pay. As
lam paid every month will hand you
half the money"
The different characters of the hus-
band and wife may be judged from the
conversation which has been recorded.
MI. Newton had little prudence or fore
sight. He lived chiefly for the present,
and seemed TO fancy that whatever con-
angencies might rise in the future he
would somehow be provided for Now.
70 trust TO Providence is proper way,
but there is good deal Of truth in the
old alage that God helps those who help
themselves. .W8
Mrs. Newton, on the contrary, had
been brought up in family which was
compelled TO be economical. and, though
she was indisposed to deny herself COM
iorts, yet she felt that it was desirable 70
Procure them at fair rate.
The time at which this conversation
took place was at the commencement OF
the second year OF their married life.
The first step Mr.. Newton took on
accepting the charge of the household
expenses was to institste the practice OF
paying cash for all articles that camc
under her departm' mt. She according
! called on the butcher and inquired:
How often have you been in the
n naoit OF presenting your bills, Mr..
Williams"
Once in six MONTHS" was the re-
ply. y FFTE'
And 1 suppose you sometimes have
had bad bills ." 4FGF
fes, one third OF my profits, on tho
average. are swept of by them"
I will set them an example, then, "
'Aa Mrs. Newton. Hereafter. what
u articles shall be purchased shall DO
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