The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-11-03

ever, | have not exceeded my income
| That's one good thing. | find hav'
exactly spent all. But 1 can't see how
you have saved anything. We have liveC
full as well, and | don't know but bette
than last year, when we spent $500"
ats knack, Ezra" said his wife, smil
ing.
She was not inclined to mention how
much she had saved. She wanted som,
time or other to surprise him with it wher
it would be of some service.
''She may possibly have saved up S25,
thought Mr.. Newton, ''or some such trifie,
and so dismissed the matter from hi:
mind
At the end of the second year Mrs
Newton's savings, including interest
amounted to $3.50, and she began to fee
quite rich.
Her husband did not think to inquire
how she had succeeded, supposing as before
that it could be but very small sum.
However, he had a piece of good news
to communicate. His salary had been
raised from 81 900 to 81 200.
He added, ''as | before allowed you one
half my income for household expenses, it
is no more than fair that l should do so
now. That will give you better chance
to save up part of it than before. Indeed,
l don't know how you have succeeded in
saving anything thus far
As before, Mrs. Newton simply said that
she had saved something, without specify
ing the amount.
Her allowance was increased to 5000,
but her expenses were not proportionately
increased, Indeed they were scarcely
increased at all, so that her savings for the
third year swelled the aggregate sum in
the savings bank to 5000.
Mr.. Newton, on the contrary, in spite
of his increased salary, was no better off
at the end of the third year than before.
His expenses had increased by hundred
dollars, though he would have found it
difficult to tell in what way his comfort or
happiness had been increased thereby,
In spite of his oarelesspess In regard to
his own affairs, Mr.. Newton was au excel
lent man of business, and his services were
valuable to his employers, They accord
ingly increased his salary from time to
time, till itreached 81 800. He had stead
lily preserved the custom of assigning one
half to his wife for the same pnIEposes as
heretafore, and this had become such a
habit that he never thought TO inquire
whether she found it necessary to employ
the whole or not.
Thus ten years rolled away. During all
this time Mr.. Newton lived in the same
hired house, for which he had paid an
annual rental of S1G0, Latterly, however,
he had BECOME dissatisfied with it, 1t had
passed into the hands of a new landlord,
who was not disposed to keep it in the
repair which he considered desirable.
About this time block of excellent
houses was erected by capitalist, who
designed to sell or let them, as he might
have an opportunity. They were more
modern and much better arranged than
the one in which Mr.. Newton now lived
and he felt strong desire to move to one
of them, He mentioned this to his wife
one morning
"What is the rent, Ezra ?" inquired his
wife.
1.-TWO hundred and twenty-five dollars
for the corner houses; 5000 for either of
the Others
"The corner ones would be preferable on
account Of the side windows"
eyes; and they have larger yard, be-
sides | think we must hire one of them.
| guess I'll engage one to-day; you know
our year is out here next week"
''Please wait, Ezra, till tomorrow, before
engaging one"
"For what reason? ?"
II should like to examine the house"
Every WE'LL suppose tomorrow will
be sufficiently early
Soon after breakfast Mrs. Newton call
ed on Squire Bent, the owner Of the new
block, and intimated her desire to be shown
the corner house. This request he cheer
fully complied with. Mrs. Newton was
quite delighted with all the arrangements,
and expressed her satisfaction,
care these houses for sale or to let p
she inquired.
"Either, said the owner.
"The rent is, understand, S225."
ayes. 1 consider the corner house to
be worth S25 more rent than the rest.
"And what do you charge for the house,
to a cash purchaser" asked Mrs. Newton,
with subdued eagerness.
"Four thousand dollars was the reply,
'and that is but small advance upon
cost"
"Very well; 1 will buy it of you,' said
Mrs. Newton, quietly.
"What did [ understand you to say p
asked the Squire, scarcely believing his
ears.
II repeat that will buy the house at
your price and pay you the money within
q week"
'Then the house is yours But your
husband said nothing of his intention, and,
in fact, | did not know"
'sThat he had the money to invest, /
suppose you were going to say. Neither
does he know it and must ask you not
to tell him for the present"
The next morning Mrs. Newton invited
her husband to take walk, DuG Wlthout
specifying the direction. They soon stood
in front of the house which he desired tc
live in,
'.Wouldn't you like to go in2" she
asked.
ayes, it's a pity we haven't got the key.
81 have the key" said his wife, and
forthwith walked up the steps and proceed
ed to open the door.
"When did you get the key Of Squire
Bent ?' asked her husband.
yesterday, when | bought the house,
said his wife quietly.
Mr.. Newton gazed at his wife in pro,
found astonishment.
"What on earth do you mean, Eliza
beth ?" he inquired.
eJust what say. The house is mine
and what is mine is thine. So the house
is yours, Ezra
"Where in the name of goodness did
you raise the money ?" asked her husband
his amazement still as great as ever.
II haven't been managing wife fol
ten years for nothing" said Mrs, Newton
| smiling