Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-02-25

I had never dreamed what the grand
parties had cost which we used to rive.
and which always fretted my father a.
much. The biggest item was our triu
to London. We didn't enjoy it. We
were like fishes out of water all the
time we were there, and we were glad
when we got back home.
aBut I won't dwell upon it You can
imagine whether your mother and I
shed any tears or not as we looked over
that book. Poor father! Something
told him that he would be the first one
called away; and every item had been
set down in bitterness of spirit Not
Tor himself did he grieve; for while he
lived his revenue would be sure; but
for the loved ones he must leave be-
hind-for them he grisved deeply. We
looked at that simple record and
thought what might have been! But
it was too late. We gave the little
book one last look, then kissed it, then
gave it to the flames; for we would not
have mother see it for the world and
we never told her of it's existence.
"Georgie, I thought of that when I
heard you reading aloud to your hus-
band that sweet poem in which occurs
these lines:
Toy If oil ood ~
The saddest are these: 1T might have been !"
"Not long after that 1 was married.
and within year from that time the
farm was sold, and mother came to live
with me. Our mother lived to a good
old age and lived happily. Whether
a knowledge of that. little old
account-book with its private
memoranda, would have detracted
from her enjoyment or not I cannot
say; but was very thankful neverthe-
less that she never saw it.
"That is all, my dear. Don't say
anything now. Take my story to bed
with you and sleep over it.
"Georgie's only response was an af-
fectionate kiss, after which she went
quietly about her work.
On the morning of the following day,
after John had eaten his breakfast,
George suddenly threw her arms
around his neck and softly whispered,
"John, I have slept and dreamed, and
new light has dawned upon me. We
shall not want new carpets this year,
nor shall I require very much in the
way of dress. Instead of going to
Birmingham with the Chesters, I may
spend a few weeks at the old farmhouse
with Aunt Jane. So, dear, you may
make your bank account as big as you
please"
"Georgie!"
"Hush! I mean what I say. shall
be happier, So"
"But, my own-my blessed! are you
sure you will be satisfed?"
"More than satisfied. Entirely
happy! Ill tell you all about 1t some
time. There! One last kiss! Now,
good-bye!"
And John went 10 his daily task as
happy as could be; and all the day long
tried to think how he could best make
his wife understand how truly and de-
votedly he loved her.
And SO, too, George. She had not
been so unspeakably happy for a long
time, and further, she was surprised to
see how pretty her hall carpets were.
Only oilcloth, to be sure; but the very
best of their kind and as good as new.
And from that time she helped her
husband to provide for the future; and
when she knew that their savings in the
bank were growing into the thousands,
she felt more than ever inclined to be
prudent and economical. Never mean,
never stingy; but nevermore an ex-
penditure to her husbands hard earn.
ngs without q substantial return.