Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-30

dollars. His exclamation of surprice fe
with shifting sound on the sars OF b
| wife.
'What is it ?" she asked, almost falte,
iogly.
'sGreen's ACCOUNT ESQ ssss9
"Oh! His bill can't be very large; fo
lnever sent the pass-book when l had tb
money to buy what wanted" Ne
1T is hundred and thirty-one dollars.
THAT seems impossible 5
II presume 1t is all right. But You ca
look over it yourself"
Ihe bill was carefully scanned, but with
/ mt discovering any error of consequence
rwo barrels of flour, basket of wine
ana lew other items, counted up heavily
jacob, said Mrs Jones, speaking in
low, winning, but very earnest voice, ether
Is something wrong in all this. No reason
10 the world, exi is why we should hav'
these bills to trouble u.s.
81 don't know about that" replied MI
Jones, somewhat moodily: Il wish coult
believe so''
eve ought to pay the cash for everythiu,
Te buy'-Mrs. Jones ventured upon NOR,
decided position.
SIT is easy enough to say that" retortet
her husband, evidently fretted by the words
''But how is the cash to be paid down whel
we havn't the cash in our purses ?''
"Are you really desirous to have thi
question of paying cash solved?" Mrs
Jones queried, in pleasant way.
"Oh. certainly. Read me the riddle and
l shall be eternally obliged"
81 believe I can show that there was
no need of running up these two bills, a
least"
"Parker's and Green'sp"
eyes"
81 am all attention"
''The two amount to over two hundred
dollars? ?''
eyes,"
IF l can show you where, during the past
six months, one hundred dollars have been
spent needlessly, in pretty round sums, will
you concede that smaller sums have gone,
in the same way, to an equal amount ?'
20 yes; I'll concede it without a mo-
ment's hesitation"
Every well; take your pencil and set
down the items as I name them.''
MIR. Jones took his pencil and piece of
paper.
''There are fourteen dollars for that pair
of vases -
Mr. Jones WINGED little, but did not re-
ply. The vases had been purchased solely
to crafty his wife-at least he had ALWAYS,
in his own mind. assumed this to be the
case-and her mentioning these articles first
seemed a little unkind.
''And twenty-thlee for the pier glass;"
This article Mr.. Jones had bought at
public sale, where it went off sstemptingly
low" 1t proved too wide for their pier,
and rather marred than increased the beau
ty of their parlor:
Every well; 60 on" said he, in voice
that was not over cheerful.
six dollars for the engravings of Frank
lin at the French Court, and eight for the
makes fourteen more"
"You are counting up pretty fast, Mary"
''These are the heaviest items. / will
now gather up some of the smaller ones.
We attended four concerts, at dollar
ticket; and had to engage carriage on two
Of these occasions, in consequence of rain.
Twelve dollars were expended here"
''But we lmust have some recreation
Both of us are fond of music"
thousands who cannot afford these lnxuries,
we should bear the privation cheelfully."
"But we certainly can afford a concert
now and then, Mary"
LII SceuuS uOt3 JdCOUs az lcdSt, Wo udVo
not enjoyed these entertainments during the
past season without the penalty of debit
While we were paying out our dollars for
music, we had no money to send to the store
for sugar and coffee. Isn't this so?'
Mr.. Jones gave his shoulders quick
shrug, implying forced conviction.
my beautiful pencil case, the gift of
which gratefully acknowledge, cost five
dollars. Forgive me for naming this. tits
one of the items, as is, also, this exquisite
little breast pin, that lured from your pock-
ct the only tent ollar piece it contained at
the time, and compelled me to send the
pass-book again to Green's. The old music
stool was little shabby; but it would have
doue year or two Of good service yet
Seven dollars gave US a new one. And
six dollars went for the tulip shades to
the gas chandelier. How much does that
count up?
"Ninety-seven dollars,'' replied Mr..
Jones, after running his eyes along the
figures he had set down.
"shall I 60 on?"
s.No-that will do. Well just call it
a ronnd hundred, and I'll concedelthe other
hundred you bargained for. So there are
two hundred dollars almost tlifed away,
while bills were running up. at the dry
goods store and grocery"
'sThere is only one remedy, Jacob said
his wife, firmly.
"Name it,"
"Cash down." replied Mrs. Jones.
"And cash down it shall be !" said Mr..
Jones, emphatically.
sNot cash down for superfuities, Jacob." ="
Tue wan smile with which this was said
soothed the slightly chafed feelings it occa-
stoned, and Mr.. Jones answered, promptly
and heartily
''No, not for superfuities, but for neces-
stiles. Tue superhuities can come after
wards, provided there be anything over
Vases, mirrors, jewelry, concerts, and the
like, must take the place of secondaries, not
primaries"
s'Hold fast to this, Jacob" said his COM
panion, 'tand will never again hear the
words from your lips-'Money is the bane
of my life.' I. ). A.