The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-11-17

he pItIed his frlend emparTassiheHo,
but did not appear to notice it. Instead,
he chatted unconcernedly of old friends
and past times. Suddenly turning corner
they met two mutual acquaintance.
Hand-shakings and inquiries followed, and
the four had SO much to say that MIR.
Gray decided to send note to his partner
and spend the forenoon with his friends.
The party now adjourned to restau-
rant, and Mr.. Raymond, aware of the ex-
act amount of his-Mr. Gray s-funds,
ordered lunch.
Before separating, little excursion to
Beech Island was proposed for Monday.
Mr.. Gray invited them meantime to spend
the evening at his house. The evening
passed was pleasant one. Annie was in
excellent spirits sang and played, and was
altogether charming. Mr.. Raymond, re-
membering the money, decided that matri-
mony was snare when women were SO
deceptive.
The next day, which was Sunday, Mrs.
Gray, without being asked, gravely hand
ed her husband fifty cents.
Mr.. Raymond was present, but did not
appear to notice it. He was apparently
engrossed in the book he was reading.
But he heard Mr.. Gray ask:
"What's that for Oh, the contribu-
ton box Thank you" he said But to
himself he added:
"Why not save it to go with the twenty
FIVE cents have already, SO as not to be
compelled to ask for money on Tuesday.
Then I can succeed in getting some for
Mondays trip, without the knowledge of
nv friends, and this absurd farce will end
without any more unpleasantness.
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 jokingly.
"Why, you see, Mrs. Gray, we want to
get off for time as we used to when
boys"
The lady smiled grimly and said
"Albert is, as you see, too extravagant
by half. l cannot, in the present state Of
our finances, give my consentto his going.
With these words, spoken with great COM
posure, she walked off, leaving the gentle
men to themselves
"By Heavens, Albert, never would
stand that r' said Frank, vehemently.-
sTo be tutored like 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 an excuse, Mr.. Gray then told
his friend the secret of his wife'ss conduct
"Whew so that is it, 7" said Frank
"Well, Tn glad to have my faith in wo-
mankind restored but isn't she overriding
the matter? Did you ever refuse her
money before others p
II think [ did last summer, when Mrs.
Osgood was visiting her They wished to
visit a friend residing in Biddleford. L
thought it was foolish, and told them so
and finally refused my wife the money.
The truth is" apologetically. II had met
with some heavy losses, and felt that we
must economic"
"Why not have allowed her to use her
own judgement ? Perhaps she intended to
economize in other ways, said Frank.
II believe she said something Of the
kind. But to tell the truth, had got in
to the way of thinking that women needed
to be continually curbed, or they would
rim info axtravapances
dts shame to treat high-splrlted
woman in that way"
81 realize it now fully, more fully than
you can, unless you go through with my
experience. Annie said she had done plain
sewing to pay for things that she needed,
rather than ask me for the money. l un-
derstand it now; | would far rather have
earned the money for our trip by saving
wood than have asked for it. Fancy hav-
ing always to ask !"
"Do you know, Albert, I am glad this
has happened? I may marry some time !;
in fact, I'm thinking of it strongly, and
now shall avoid the course you have
taken. Otherwise | presume l might
have done just the same. Ibelieve great
many do"
"Do? Why, yes. My mother never
had single penny without asking father
for it, and she helped earn it all, and was
prudence and industry personified. Iii
turn over new leaf All, here comes our
friends.
Mr.. Raymond, to Mr.. Gray's great re-
lief, said it would not be possible for him
to go on the proposed trip, owing to un-
forseen circumstances, whereupon Mr.. Gray,
in an off-handed manner, proposed that, as
Frank could not go, they should all come
to his house that evening again. "My
wife will be glad to see you, said he.
The week had passed and Orchard 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 it himself. Annie had taken care
to curb his extravaganza by giving him a
little less than he asked for, and invariably
inquiring just how he spent it, and, mean
time, reckoning up how much he had each
day, with great exactness. All this, as ne
knew, was copied from his own custom.
Besides, he reflected if he found it so disa-
greeable for week, how much more so
must it seem year after year, with no
prospect of change? In short, he felt
himself to be the meanest man in existence.
ss'Tis one half to own it, and the other
ha If to reform, we suspect.
"There, Albert, said his wife. 81 am
glad the farce is ended. Resume your
prerogative.
1t was Tuesday evening, at half-past six
precisely, when Mrs. Gray said this. At
the same time she handed her husband his
pocket book, and then returnedto 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 saying
"Henceforth we will share alike. Buy
what YOU choose. | have faith in your
prudence and judgment 1 am not infal-
iible. Why need l 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 oppor-
tunity to use my reasoning faculties.
He never did regret it.
There can be found no higher virtue