Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-02-14
% Not I've Beyond Your Means.


"This Is psassnt ~ exclaimed q young
husband, taing his scat IN the rocking
chair as tb supper things were re-
moved. 7'ta fire glowing in the CRATE
revealed resty and neatly furnished
|sitting roth, with all appliances OF
comfort. he fatiguing business OF the
day was O hr, and he sat enjoyin wna'
be had alilday been anticipating. the
delights othis own Ere. side. His pref
~ wife, Ether. took her work and 81
IdcHn BY ,ie table. -
s'sIt is l, ss.ns 10 have u home OF ones
own,. he gain said, taking satisfac-
tory survr of bis little quarters. The
cold rain neat against the windows, and
he thoUe he felt really grateful for all
dis presedI comforts
"Now live only had piano." ex-
clainied wife.
'Give te the music OF your own
sweet wolf before all the pianos in crea-
tion." hd observed complimentary ;
bat he fssa certain secret disappoint-
lneut tha his wife's Thank fulfulness did
not happy chime With bis own.
"Well but we want one for our
friends. saisl E,sfs r.
Let Or sfsfes.s. n,tne to see US, and
not 10 5iaso,n exclaimed the
hnshane
Rsv fFogge, everybody has q piano,
III, Esstsg,sw wa d ss-we cont 60 any where
| without eeing q piano, persisted the
wife
nAndset, I dent know what we
want on fOr-you will have no time to
play on ne, and don't want to hear
nWhv they are so fashionable-I
think or room looks nearly naked
without,ne:
II t,ik II looks just right"
II thlk 1t looks very naked-we
want piano shockingly," protested
Esther nphstically.
The lisband r0cked violently.
.sYou lamp smokes, my DEAR" said
he afse,a long pause"
"WbD are you going to get chan
delier !? have told you a dozen times
how mtch we needed one," said Esther
pettishi. :.
"Thas are pretty lamps-we don't
need s,s T>s-adeiiers," said her hus-
hard. These lamps are the prettiest
of the find ever saw"
uBut George, I don't think our room
is corr ,lete without q chandelier" said
Esthersharply. "They are SO fashions
ablei Why the Morgans and Millers,
and myny others / might mention, all
have item; am sure we ought"
"Waought to if we take pattern by
other yeople's expenses, and don't see
apy reason In that
The husband moved yneasily in his
chair
"Ws want to live as well as Others y
said Esther.
s.Wswant to live within our means.
Esther" exclaimed George.
L apl snEe We can afford 1t as well rs
slae AzTgaca and Millers, and Phorns'
VIC &c not w th to appear mean"
(s4s -e's cheeks crimsoned.
''Msan am not mean Ia he cried
sVrhsn we do not wish to appear so, y
said The wife. ITO complete this room,
and make it look like other peoples,
we want piano and chandelier
ave want-we want" muttered the
there's no satisfying woman q
wants. do what you may" and he
abruptly left the room.
How many husbands are ip 9 similar
lilemmsl How many houses and hus-
bands are rendered uncomfortable by
the constant dissatisfaction of q wife
with present comforts and present pro-
visions. How many bright prospects
for business have ended in bankruptcy
and ruin, in order to satisfy this secret
after fashionable necessaries
Could the real cause of so many failures
be known, 1t would be found to- result
from useless expenditures at harae-ex-
pense to answer the demands OF fash
ion and "what will people think ?"
'My. wife has made my fortune" said
q gentleman of great possessions, "by
her thrift, and prudence, and cheerful
ness, when was just beginning"
"And mine has lost mine," answered
his companion, 'by useless extIava-
gance and repining when I was doing
we'll
What q world does this open to the
influence which wife possesses over
the future prosperity of her family
Let the wife know her influence and
try to use it wisely and well.