Connecticut western news., 1884-04-02

After calculation she came to the con- clusion that out of her allowance she could be able to make daily deposit equal to that which she exacted from her husband. Of this, however, she thought best not to inform Charles-en- toying, in anticipation, the prospect of being able at some time to surprise him with the unexpected amount of her sav- ings.
 At the close of every month the tin box was emptied and the entire contents transferred to a more pretentious sav- ings bank, where interest would be all lowed. When the sums deposited there became large enough, Mrs. Lynford, who had considerable business capacity, withdrew and invested in bank and other stocks, which would yield higher per cent. Of her mode of investment her husband remained in complete ignorance. Nor did he ever express any desire to be acquainted with his wite's management. He was an easy, careless fellow, spend ing as he went, enjoying the present and not feeling any particular concern about the future.
 At the end of eight years, during which time he had been unusually favored with prosperity in business and uninterrupted health, his books showed that he had not exceeded his income, but, on the other hand, had saved absolutely nothing, twenty-five cents alone standing to his credit.
 Running pretty close, isn't it, Car rie?" he said, laughingly. "I take great credit to myself for keeping on the right side of the line. But then SUD- pose you have saved an immense sum-
 "How much do you think ?" asked his wife.
 "Oh, perhaps $16O," said he, care lessly, "though it would take good many dimes to do that" His wife smiled, but did not volunteer to enlighten him as to the correctness of his conjecture. So things went on, till at length came the panic of 1873-a panic so recent that it will be remembered by many readers of this sketch. It will be remembered how universally trade and business of every kind were depressed at that period. And among others the trade which occu- pied Charles Lynford suffered. One evening he came home, looking quite serious-an expression which seldom came over his cheerful face.
 Caroline, who had watched the signs of the times, was not unprepared to see this. She had expected that her hus- bands business would be affected.
 "What is the matter, Charles ?" she very cheerfully asked.
 ''The matter is that we shall have to l economize greatly"
 Anything unfavorable turned up in business matters?"
 "I should think there had. I shall have but half days work for some time to come, and I'm afraid that even this will fail before long. You haven't an idea how dull business of every kind has become"
 'I think I have," said his wife, quietly. 1T have been reading the papers carefully, and have been looking out for something of this kind"
 Do you think we can reduce our ex- penses one-half?" added her husband, doubtfully.
 'I think we shall be able to do so. |
 Both of us are well supplied with clo th- ing, and shall not need any more for 8 | year at least. That will cut off consider able expense. Then there are great many opportunities you are accustomed to buy, little things you are kind enough to bring home to me frequently, which I can do very we'll without. Then we can plainly have less pies and cakes; and have no doubt it will be an Improvements so far as health is concerned"
 "What a calculator you are, Carrie, !" said her husband, feeling considerably easier in mind. 'I really think, after all you have said, that it won't be so hard to live on half our usual income flor the present at least. But" and again his countenance changed, Suppose my work should entirely fail. suppose you could not reduce our expenses to nothing at all, could you ?"
 "That certainly surpasses my power, " said the wife, smiling, "but even in that case there is no ground for discourage ment. You have not forgotten our say ings bank, have you?"
 "Why, no; I didn't think of that, said her husband. 'I suppose that would keep off starvation for few weeks"
 ''And in those few weeks," she added, ''business might revive"
 "To be sure," said her husband. "Well, guess it'll be all right. I'll not trouble myself about it any longer"
 The apprehensions to which MT. Lyn- ford had given expression proved to be only too well founded. In less than 8 month from the date of the conversati or just recorded the limited supply of work which he had been able to secure had en. tirely failed, and he found himself with. out any work of any kind-thrown back | on his own resources.
 Although he had expected this, il seemed unexpected when it came upor him, and again he turned in a fit of dis couragement. He briefly explained tc his wife the new calamity which had fallen upon him.
 "And the worst of it is there is no hope of better times till spring."
 'Do you think business will reviv then ?''
 'It must by that time; there are five or six months between. I don't know how we are to live during that time." q l.