The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-10-09


Saving $500 ON Salary of Si.cG0
Figures for the Frugal.
A smiling little woman opened the
door of plainly furnished sitting-room
at the top of the second light of stairs
and ushered two men into the apart
ment with the regal courtesy of house
keeper conscious of her own merits.
1t was about six o'clock p. m., ard
through doorway leading into the
dining-room could be seen q white
robed table temptingly set for dinner
Il thought | heard you coming, the
little woman said, placing one hand
affectionately upon the arm of the
tallest of the two gentlemen, while she
pleasantly acknowledged an introduc-
ton to the other.
'sMy wife always listens for me at
dinner time, said the tall man in an
explanatory tone to his male compan-
ion.
Eyes, and / can always tell your
STEP" was the little lady's reply
A few other remarks of a domestic
character were interchanged. and the
young couple, with their guest, sat
down to dinner feeling cheerful as well
as hungry. The husband was the clerk
whom the wealthy merchant, Mr.. S.,
described as "a man who supports him.
self, wife, and child on less than 81 900
a year, and the guest was the writer
who gave the reader of the Times a few
weeks ago on account of how a man
with family can live in New York on
$4,000 year,
s'You observe" said the husband, as
he struck his carving knife on the steel
preparatory to attacking a modest roast
OF beef which his wife placed before
him, THAT although we have but little
beyond the bare necessities of life, we
manage to live comfortably and hap
ply
"Yes, indeed, we are happy" inter.
jeeted the wife, removing her kitchen
apron and taking her seat behind q
steaming coifee-pot. ssWe have gooc
health, all we want to eat, drink, and
wear, and our baby is the prettiest and
cutest baby in the world / don't sec
what more anybody can want to make
them happy. Do you take milk in YOU
coffee ?n
IF you please said the newspaper
man.
.'Just look around you and you viii
see what good wife can accomplish, ,
remarked the husband, as he passed tc
his guest a plate containing nice Gu
of beef. couplcof boiled potatoes, anG
liberal portion of green peas. '.Al
OF the decorations of this room, in
cluding the rug, the window curtains
and even that expensive-lookinu buffet
IN the corner are the handiwork of Mrs,
n When you get an insight into her
genius for improvising household arti.
cles you will not think it strange that
we manage to lay by $500 or $500 each
yearout OF my salary of $1,000. With
afew bits of cambria and pine board
she can I'LL a room full of stylish anc
useful furniture. She can make dol
lar go farther-'
Now, Edward, interrupted the wife,
with pretty affectation of reproof
tine gentleman did not come here tc
listen to your praise of myself He de
slres, as understand it, the plain facts
u hoWwe manage to live within oul
small income. can tell him in very
lew words just how it is. !"
Very well; go ahead" replied the
suodued husband, helping himself to
another potato.
MY husband, as you know, gets q
salary of $1,000 per year." said the
n1le lady. turning with animation
soWard the newspaper man. ..He gets
as pay once a month, ard he brings
nome So3 and a few cents. When We
were married we made ND our minds
80 % 70 i've as to be able to put some
Islnng IN the bank each month, and we
nave not yet failed to do SO. We fie-
al ased that our $1,000 year gave rs
aoout 1913 day, and we based all of
o. Pa.s estimates of expenses on. that.
no'n - OF US have lived In BROOKLYN most
ouf ives, and we concluded to stay
@ sre VI course, this fat is a great
shs NY nom the bridge and the ferries
Fg EgoAs Two and half miles. isn't r.
as;a ara;@ards--but the neighborhood Is
ssr ss,es: san respectable and 6ealthful. We
eas va 9 month for this fiat. and we