The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-04-05


that he had not exceeded his income,
but, on the other hand, had saved abso-
lutely nothing, twenty-five cents alone
standing to his credit.
"Running pretty close, isn't it Car.
rie?" he said, laughingly. 81 take
great credit to myself for keeping on
the right side of the line. But then 1
suppose you have saved an immense
sum-"
elbow much do you think?" asked
his wife.
"Oh, perhaps, $780," said he careless
ly; "though it would take a good many
dimes to do that
His wife smiled, but did not volun-
teer to enlighten him as to the correct
ness of his conjectures.
Il. So things went on, till at length came
The panSe S IF 5s BBspad s. By rsssn snt
readers of this sketch. 1t will be re-
membered how trade and business of
every kind was depressed at that pc
Rod. And among others the trade
which occupied Charles Lynford suffer-
| ed.
One evening he came home looking
quite serious-an expression that 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, Charles7" she
very cheerfully asked"
''The matter is that we shall have to
economize greatly"
"Anything unfavorable turned up in
business matters?"
81 should think there had. l shall
have but half days work for some
time to come, and l am afraid that
even this will fail before long. You
havn't an idea how dull business of
every kind has become.
81 think I have" said his wife,
quietly. 'I have been reading the pa
pers carefully and have been looking
out for something of this kind"
"Do you think we can reduce our ex-
penses one half?" asked her husband,
doubtfully.
s'I think we shall be able to do SO.
Both ofus are well supplied with cloth
ing, and shall not need any more for
year at least. That will cut off con-
siderable expense. Then there are a
great many superfuities you are accus-
toned to buy, little things you are kind
enough to bring home to me frequently,
which I can do very well without.
Then we can plainly have less pies
and cakes; and I have no doubt it
will be an improvement so far as health
is concerned"
"What calculator you are, Carrie, I"
said her husband, feeling considerable
easier in mind. ''I really think after
all you have said, that it won't be so
hard to live on half our income-for
the present at least. But" and his
countenanCe again changed, t<supPose
my work should entirely fail. I sup
pose you could not reduce our expenses
to nothing at all could your"
"That certainly surpasSeS my power,
said his wife, smilingly, "but even in
that case there is no ground for dis
couragement. You have not forgotten
our savings bank have your"
"Why, no; 1 didn't think of that, "
said her husband. 81 suppose that
would keep off starvation for a few
weeks"
His wife smiled.
"And in those few weeks" she add
ed, "business might revive"
"To be sure," said her husband.
"Well, 1 guess it'll be all right; I'll
not trouble myself any longer"
The apprehensions to which Mrs.
'Lynford had given expression proved to
be only too we'll founded. In less
than a month from the date of the
conversation just recorded the limited
supply of work which he had been able
to secure had entirely failed, and he
found himself without any work of any
kind-thrown back on his own resources.
Although he had expected this, it
seemed unexpected when it came upon
him, and again he turned in tit OF
discouragement. He briefly explained
to his wife the new calamity which
had fallen upon them.
"And the worst of it is, there is no
hope of better times till spring"
''Do you think business will revive
then?" asked his wife.
'It must by that time; there are five
or six months between. don't know
how we are to live during that time"
"I do" said his wife, quietly.
"You?" exclaimed her husband in
surprise.
eyes, your income has never been
more than 5000 or 500 year, and
have no doubt we can live on $3.50"
eyes, certainly; but where is that
money to come from; l don't want to
go in debt; and if l did, should not
know where to borrow"
"Fortunately there is no need of it, +"
said Mrs. Lynford. "You seem to for.
get our little savings bank"
"And is it possible it can amount to
saso?" exclaimed Charles in surprise
eyes and 5000 more," said his wife
"Impossible!" j.,
"Wait minute and will prove it. :
Caroline withdrew moment ther
reappeared with several certificates o.
banks and railroad shares amounting tt
$500. and bank book in which bal
ance was deposited to her credit.
care you quite sure you haven't re-
ceived a legacy?" demanded Charlie:
in amazement. "Sure, dime day
has not produced this p
"No; but two dimes a day have
with a little extra deposit now anc
then. think, Charles, we shall bt
f able to ward off starvation for time. :
+ GAIL this l owe to your prudence,
said Charles, gratefully. elbow can
! repay your"
Charles Lynford remained out o
enoDlovr,ent Gov eon,a =.,eo-+L~ H.. =
the spring, as he anticipated, business
revived, and he was in receipt OF his oi'
income.
More than two-thirds of the fund wa