The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-30
THE COST OF MArRlMoNY.
HI. S. Keller, in New York Mercury.7

now unQer the sun man Wltn SlnRle mans salary could support wife and four, five or more children. Jones, by the way, has been courting pretty girl for five years. He had upon two or three occasions strongly hinted about the pleasures of married life, while deprecat- ing the woes and discomforts of the single state. His girl would only glance up at him with curiosity-laden eyes, blush wildly and say nothing. Jones often wondered if the girl knew what his salary was, and, if she did, would she be willing to stake chances with him on the cast of single die2 Jones was wise in some things and very unsophisticated in others. What he knew about women could easily go into a nutshell, and what he didn't know about them could comfortably be spread over four acre pasture.
 One warm, lazy Sunday afternoon Jones found himself standing before the
 altar with dainty figure in pure white
 by his side. He was astonished. He
 couldn't remember of ever asking the
 girl to become his bride, though he had
 thought seriously of doing so often.
 However, the facts are evident. The
 bride is by his side and he himself has
 just responded "yes" to the minister's s
 questions. While the ceremony was
 being performed he couldn't get rid of the disagreeable idea, viz: twill my
 fifteen dollar week salary carry us both throughF p Alter the ceremony a pretty reception was held at the brides home, and Jones found himself surrounded by his many friends, who congratulated him and wished him many happy returns.
 He knew that it was customary for the newly welded pair to go on bridal tour.
 He had just $50 in his pocket and he knew that wouldn't go far. He was in hot water until his bride called him aside and whispered: "I know what you are bridal tour. know l should be utterly wretched to have every one point me out as the the bride. Again, bridegrooms most always wear stovepipe hats. You don't like stovepipe hats. So have ar- ranged it all in this way: Instead of taking tour we will spend the time in settling our rooms."
 Jones gazed at her in dismay. Rooms ? All the rooms he knew of were his sitting and bedroom, four stories up from the walk in a second class boarding house. Time sped on wings, and ere he knew it he and his charming wife were nicely settled in some plain but comfortable rooms in the second story of widow lady's house. His little stock in the bank was called upon to purchase car- pet for the parlor. His wife said she had thought of the sitting-room before the wedding and rag carpet which her deft fingers had completed was put down in that room. As for the bedroom, it was too warm for carpet yet, and rug in front of the bed was all that was neces- sary. All the furnishings of the rooms were completed before cold weather set in. Then Jones had to buy a stove for the sitting-room. The cook stove was present from his wife's father. Strange as it may seem, Jones didn't miss the price of his sitting-room stove half as much as he used to the price of coat. And, besides that, there is a dainty little pair of feet perched upon the lenders, and a rosy pair of lips ready to kiss him when he comes home.
 A year passed, and Jones thought he would reckon up and see how he stood. Last year it cost him S4I6 for board at $8 per week. Clothes and incidentals, $50. Total, S566. His salary was S78o, from which, deducting his expenses, leaves him with just $2I4 So much for single blessedness. Now for the married one year old. Strange as it may seem, he found it cost him and his wife just $3I2 for table necessaries, ex- actly $o per week for both. He figured this over twice. He didn't think it possi- ble however his wife was thrifty little and Jones couldn't recall any thing wanting from his table, besides he enjoyed the nice meals much more than he did the routine of boarding-house fare. His rent cost him just SI2o. Coal, S25. Clothing for himself and wife-is it possible P $Ioo There were no incl dentals this time. His wife had always nicely-dressed, and newell, a married man can make clothes go further than bachelor The total of the past year was just S5s7 Deducting this from his salary of S7So leaves just S223, or Se more than the other year. And, added to this was SI25 which his dear little wife had laid up from her placque painting and fancy decorative work. Jones was dumbiounded. He could scarcely believe his own eyes. Here he has been living at rate that would nicely support two, aud have money Jeff. Is it a dream? To make sure, he asked his wife to pinch him. She did, and he awoke. He was yet in his bachelor chamber. The flies which he had been when he fell asleep were still sliding uP and down the window panes, and the blue-bottle was buzzing danger ously near his nose.
 Jones' dream opened his eyes, assure you. And that quiet Sunday evening, when the sun was tracing pictures on the lawn, he popped the question and was accepted. presume he is satisfied, for he beams satisfaction, Pm sure.