Sharp County record., 1885-04-16

ton the prospect of being able at some
time to surprise him with the unexpected
amount of her savings.
At the close of every month the tin
box was emptied, and the entire con-
tents transferred to a more pretentious
savings bank. where interest would be
allowed. When the sums deposited
there became large enough, Mrs. Lyn-
ford. who had considerable business ca
pacity, withdrew the money and in
vested it in bank and other stocks,
which would yield large per cent. Ot
her mode of investment her husband
remained in complete ignorance. Nor
did he ever express any desire to be
made acquainted with his wife's man
agement He was an easy, careless tel-
low, spending 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 taY-
ored by prosperity in business and un.
interrupted health, his books showed
that he had not exceeded his income,
but. on the other hand, had saved alb
solutely nothing. Twenty-Five cents
alone stood to his credit.
Running pretty close, isn't it,
Carrier he said, laughingly. 81 take
credit to myself for keeping on the
right side of the line. But then l sup
pose you've saved an immense sum-"
"HoW much do you think. Charles?"
asked his wife.
"Oh, perhaps s1OO," said he, care
lessly; Though it would take a great
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 atlength came
the panic of 1853 panic so recent
that it will be remembered by many
readers of this sketch. 1t will be re-
membered how universally trade and
business of every kind were depressed
at that period Among others, the
trade which occupied Charles Lynford
suffered greatly.
One evening he came home looking
quite seriouS-an expression which
seldom came over his cheerful face.
Carrie, 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
asked, cheerfully.
1.-The matter is that we shall have to
economize greatly"
&" Anything unfavorable turned up in
business matters?"
Il should think there had. shall
have but half days work for some
time to come, and fear that even this
will fail. You haven't an idea how
dull business Of every kind has be-
come"
Il think l have said his wife,
quietly. Il have read the papers care
fully, and have been looking out for
something of this kind"
"Do you think we can reduce our
expenses one-half?" asked her hus-
band, doubtfully.
81 think we shall be able to do so.
Both of US are well supplied with
clothing, and shall not need any more
for year at least. That will cut off
considerable expense. Then there are
a great many superhuities you are ac-
customed to buy-little things you are
kind enough to bring home to me fire.
quently-which l can very well do
without. Then we can surely have
less pies and cakes, and | have no
doubt it will be an improvement 50 far
as health is concerned.
"What calculator you are, Carrie"
said her husband, feeling considerably
easy in mind. Il really think, after
all you have said, that it won't be so
hard to live on half our usual income
for the present, at least But and
his countenance again changed-"sup
pose my work should entirely fail? |
suppose you couldn't reduce our ex-
penses 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 Encouragement You have not for
gotten our savings bank, have your
''Well, didn't think of that" said
her husband. 81 suppose that would
keep off starvation for few weeks. ."
His wife smiled.
"And in those few weeks" she
added, business might revive"
"To be sure" said her husband.
"Well, l guess that'll be all right; III
not trouble myself about it any more. "
The apprehension to which Mr.. Lyn-
ford had given expression proved to be
only too well founded. In less than
month from the date of the conversation
just recorded the limited supply of work
which he had been able to secure en-
tirely failed and he found himself with
out work of any kind-thrown back on
hic OIun raCOuropS