The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-06-13

Well, here Is four dollars ana nalI'
| Try to make that do" And he hurried off.
Mrs. Gray sighed.
He means WE'LL" she said, but men
seem to think women are like children,
not to be trusted with money"
Meanwhile Mr.. Gray was soliloquizing.
"Strange, how extravagant women are.
Annie is the best little wife in the world,
but she does not know the worth of
money any more than child. That four
dollars ard a half will be spent before
night Women can't keep money"
Mrs. GRAY went down town, as intended;
but she walked Instead of riding, in order
to save her money. While down she felt
faint and hungry from her walk, and
would have liked a lunch, but she had no
nancy TO spare.
"Oh by the way, Annie, did you go
down to-day ?" asked MIR. Gray at supper
that night,
eyes"
"Spent every cent, I'll be bound" iok-
ingly.
"No. have exactly two cents left but
walked both ways, got no crepe de hsse,
and went without luncheon although faint
with hunger"
Mr.. Gray looked shocked.
why did you not come to me ?"
Because it was out of the way and
because, to tell the truth, felt too cross"
"Cross with me ?"
eyes, with you;" and poor Annie's
grievances burst forth.
"To be going along the street hungrier
than any beggar, while nv husband is
known as the successful Mr.. Gray To
have no money in my pocket, because my
husband thinks | am not to be trusted !
Before [ married you l was in business
the same as you; that is, earned my
living by teaching; you earned yours by
trading. Now, suppose when we married
you had given up your business to assist
me, or because it interfered with your
new duties, and l allowed you no money
to spend as you choose. l dressed you
well, to be sure but gave you no money
without the why's and wherefores, and
whithers being inquired into; in short,
treated you as you do me?"
"You exaggerate the case, Annie. Men
and women are differently situated.
should think you would be glad to be
saved the trouble of earning livelihood"
"But just consider the disadvantages
of an empty purse. Put yourself in my
place. How would you like it p
"Why-if 1 only had to ask-frst-rate. !"
"Well, then, suppose you let me carry
the pocket-book for week.
But, Annie, it isn't practicable. You
couldn't attend TO business at the store"
"Of course not. 1t is only your per.
sonal expenses / will regulate. You come
to me for what money you wish to spend
for yourself that is all; and give me
your word that you will take no money
from the store"
Gail right. I'll do it, Just to show you
that it is easy enough. Here's the pocket
book" And he gave it into her hand.
"But III take quarter, first, to begin
on
What do you want of quarter ?"
"Cigars."
"Well, here are two ten cent pieces {;
try to make that do. Did you ever reckon
up how much your cigars cost in the
year Let me see. You smoke at least
two day, at an average cost of ten cents
apiece, which amounts to one dollar and
forty cents week. Now, fifty-two times
one forty makes seventy-two dollars and
eighty cents year, to say nothing of
those you give to your friends. A hun
dred dollars will scarcely cover your ex-
penses in that line
Gas our old friend Abigail Stillman
says, Who'd a-thunk it," said Mr.. GRAY,
laughing; but he was surprised to find
the sum so large.
The next morning Mr.. Gray had gone
some distance from the house before he
remembered that he had only twenty-five
cents.
~ l. ~ oo,I ha 10 & d..
haps III not want to buy anything. I'll
show Annie that man can do without
money"
"Hello, Gray p cried voice. interrupt
ing his reflections. "What is the brain
study about ?" 1t was his old friend,
Frank Raymond.
The two men had not met since Mr..
Grays marriage, and as Frank was to re-
main in town for week, MIR. Gray in
vited him home.
He lit cigar and handed its mate to
Frank as he did this the two conversed
# old times till they reached Mr.. Gray's
place of business, when they separated,
Frank agreeing to be at the Grays at six
o'clock. Annie was apprised of his COM
ing by note from her husband.
Going home that night, as was his in
variable custom, he ran into Benton's to
buy some cigars. Benton was surprised
to see him drop the dozen he had taken
up.
care they not good ?" inquired the
dealer. ave think them our choisest-"
"They are good. But on second
thought l will not take any tonight
Mr. Gray had always purchased cigars
as he used them; but now he wished he
had box at home. However, he decided
to ask his wife for some money, and run
out and fill his case without his friends
knowledge. Twenty-four hours had passed,
and he had already begun to experience
feeling of shame, and disinclnation to
ask for money. A thought of Annie
crossed his mind. "Pshaw she doesn't
have to treat her friends to cigars" he
muttered.
Frank Raymond was already at his
house, and Annie had a tempting little
supper for them; aud Annie was looking
her prettiest.
When supper was over, he took Annie
aside, and asked for dollar, which she
gave him, grudgingly. Then he excused
himself for moment, and bought some
cigars. They were wretched aft airs, how.
ever, and filled the house with villajnous