Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-07-12

Annie, WneT ne euuedNOreu W uIoacu TIC
subject of the projected trip. Fidgetting
with his knife and fork, he cleared his throat
at last. and in nervous way made plunge.
Mrs. Gray elevated her eyebrows.
"To the island? Pray what for' 1t is
hardly the season for excursions"
Mr.. Raymond really pitied his friends
evident distress. so he said jokingy:
"Why, YOU see, Mrs. Gray, we want to
get of for time as we used to when boys.
The lady smiled grimly and said
"Albert is, as you see, too extravagant
by half. | cannot, in the present state OF
our finances, give my consent to his going.
With these words, spoken with great COM
posure, she walked off, leaving the gentle
men to themselves.
"By Heavens. Albert, l never would
stand that" said Frank, vehemently. "To
be- tutored like a schoolboy, Haven't you
any money at the store? If not, call upon
me for any amount, and let US hurry, or we
shall be late"
"No, am afraid | cannot go. | am
pledged not to take any money from the
store, and it would not be right to accept
any from you
Glad of the excuse, Mr.. Gray then told
his friend the secret of his wfe's conduct.
"Whew SO that is it," said Frank.
well. I'm glad to have my faith in woman
kind restored but isn't she OVERRIDING the
matter? Did you ever refuse her money
before others ?"
Il think | did, last summer, when Mrs.
Osgood was visiting her. They wished to
visit friend residing in Biddeford. !
thought it was foolish, and told them so
and finally refused my wife the money.
The truth is" apologetlcally, Il had met
with some heavy losses, and felt that we
must economize.'
"Why not have allowed her to use her
own judgment? Perhaps she intended to
economic IN other ways" said Frank,
"l believe she said something of the kind.
But to tell the truth, had got into the way
of thinking that women needed to be con
tinually curbed, or they would run into ex-
trayagances."
Its shame to treat high-spirited
woman in that way"
Il realize il now fully, more fully than you
can, unless you 90 through with my expert
ence Annie said she had done plain sew
ing to pay for things that she needed, rather
than ask me for the money. | understand
money for our trip by saving wood, than
have asked for it. Fancy having always to
ask -
''Do YOU know, Albert, ! am glad this has
happened? may marry sometime; N fact,
I'm thinking Of it strongly, and now | shall
avoid the course YOU have taken. Other
wise | presume might have done just the
same. believe great many men do.
DO? Why yes. My mother never had
a simple penny without asking father for 1t,
and she helped earn il ALL and was prudence
and industry personifed I'll turn over a
new leaf. Ah here come our friends"
Mr. Raymond, to Mr.. Gray's great relief,
said it would not be possible for hlm TO 20
on the proposed trip, owing TO unforeseen
circumstances, whereupon, Mr. Gray in an
off hand manner, proposed that as Frank
could not 60. they should all come 70 his
house that evening again. My wife will be
glad To see YOU" said he.
The week had passed, and "Richard was
himself again, or could be if he chose, but
his wife had mirrored his past actions so
truly and forcibly, that he had no wish to
repeat himself Annie had taken care to
curb his extravaganza, BY giving him always
a little less than he asked for, and invariably
inquiring just how he spent il, and, mean
time, reckoning up how much he had each
day, With great exactncss. All this. as he
new. was copied from his own custom.
Besides he reflected il he found il so
dissgreeable for week, how much more so
must it seem year after year, with no pros
pect of a change In short, he felt himself to
be the meanest man in existence. Ills
one half to own it," and the other half to
reform, We suspect.
There, Albert" said his wife, II am glad,
the farce is ended. Resume your pre-
rogaiive."
Ii was Tuesday evening, at half past six
precisely, when Mrs. Gray said this. Al the
same time She handed her husband his pock-
et-book. and then returned TO her seat.
Mr.. GRAY counted the money carefully,
and then divided it into two equal piles.
This accomplished, he crossed over to his
wife, and placed one in her lap. saving;
"Henceforth we will share alike, Buy
what you choose | have faith in your pru-
dence and Judgment. lam not infallble.
Why need sit in judgment upon you?"
Mrs. Gray's eyes glistened with pride and
happiness, as she replied
Believe me, Albert, you will never re
gret this; for now shall have an opportunity
TO use my reasoning faculties
lie never did regret it,