Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-11-13
The TYRANNY FROM 'IHF
OTHER SIDE.
or the Firm OF Husband. Wife. A.

some time ago, 4 was calling on an ac-
quaintance, who had a number of new
purchases TO display, articles of furni-
tnre, decoration, etc, and some lovely
Iaoleware- knowing her income to be
no Larger than my own, / asked:
But how can you afforl such hand
some thlngsr 1 cannot even think of
making such purchases"
She gave me an intnnt look, then.
dropping her voice contidentially said I:
II save 10 out Of the housekeeping
FOR long time l have saved. at least,
half OF my monthly allowance. and
this month will save more. / want TO
ouy me a new silk-somethIng really
elegant"
But, " 1 said, "can you save so much
and still make your family comforta-
ble?''
II suppose they are comfortable
enough, she said. as if offended. "I'm
sure what's good enough for me, is
good enough for themi"
She had detained me so long bring
ing out one thing after another to dis
play, that tea time approached, and
her little boy, a child of nine or ten
years OF age, came dashing in, saying,
20 MAJ Pm so hungryi Is there any
thing for supper to-nIght?''
Certainly, my son, We Will have the
supper We always have"
''O-o-o Nal Nothing but cold corn
bread and miIkI Ohi's
'-Hushi If corn-bread and milk Is
good enough for me, it ought to be
good enough for the rest OF YOU, " she
answered sternly.
Yes, but Ma, you like It and all of
the rest of US hate it. Why can't we
ever have anything the rest of US
hkel''
That will do. If you are not hun
CRY enough TO eat what We have, you
can go without
l hastily took leave, and as / shut
the front gate | heard the poor little
fellow burst into n perfect storm of
sobS- 1 no longer envied her the beau
tiful things she had bought. She had
paid too dearly for them After that
used to watch her children passing by
on their way to school Their once
ruddy faces grew sallow and pinched,
while deep scoxls of discomfort and
discomfort became habitIial to them.
In a few weeks, the mother returned
my visit, arrayed in the REALLY ele-
CANT" silk dress. As soon as there was
an opportunity, l asked.
And how are your children" she
frowned.
II don't know what ails them, they
seem 50 droopy and cross. They were
such healthy babies. and their father
and i, too, have always been strong
don't understand i'll suppose / shall
have &C take them some where for
change. but it seems an awful extrava-
gancel''
May not such a woman he, without
exaggeration, likened to a vampire,
draining the life blood. or its equiva-
lent, from the family to indulge her
selfl L never returned that visit, and
could only think of her afterwards
v ith loathing
A frIeLdl used to have lived a short
distance from town, on a fruit farm.
One spring day i heard she WAS getting
ready for her usual summer trip, so !,
thimble in pocket, went out TO spend
the day, and help with her prepara-
tions. She received me Ioyfully. and
We were soon deep in the mysteries of
mateIy acquainted, 1 had loved her
dearly. That night 1 went home
thinking her a selfish little beast. At
dinner time her husband came in tired
and hungry. She had left me sewing,
and gone out half an hour before din
ner. The taable WAS set with beauti-
full china, and there was q dish of
squash and small plate of bread and
butter, and a pitcher of water nothing
else She made no reference to the
scanty fare, but seemed to think it was
all as IL should be. I did not care for
myself, knowing would be at my own
bountiful table at tea-tIme, but did
pity her husband / knew he could
have eaten every mouthful on the Ia
BILE and still be unsatisfed. The bread
plate was soon emptied- He looked
hesitatingly at his wife. and then said
MY dear, is there any more bread?"
Yes" she said, without moving.
II only cut what L think will be eaten,
it gets so dry"
s.The plate is empty" he said. Per
haps Mrs. Sunshine would like some
more"
"Would you like some more. Mrs.
she said turning to me.
or course l said no.
He waited several minutes, then
said,
'if 1t isn't too much trouble to get
it, would like another piece"
She looked unsmilingly at him for
several seconds. the arose and cut him
one little piece He ate it. looked
around wistfully at the empty dishes,
sighed, and folded up his napkin l
knew him to be the kindest, most in
dulgent husband, and felt indignant
to see HIM so imposed upon. When We
to our sewing, dexterously
led the conversation to the subject.
"How tired and hungry Mr.. Walters
must get, working as he does, out OF
Aavfff I sad
Yes, suppose he does" she an
swered careless1y.
II should think YOU would take a
great deal of pains TO have things nice
for him. he is so thoughtful for you'll"
I ventured further.
.sOh, mol He doesn't expect me to
exert myself He knows how frail L
am"
This, uttered at the sewing machine.
IN the pauses of stitching a sixth ruffie |
on a summer silk" did not impress |
me as being very consistent
ssBesides,n she continued, presently, |
1--WE must economize- Ny outfit Is
costing a great deal and my trip will be |
/ cannot afford to spend !
much on our home living / don't |
have any appetite myself, anyway. 50 |
| bother Just as little with housswork |
and cookery As 1 can"
This was so manIfestly selfish, it |
fairly took my breath away and l
worked several button holes before |
speaking again. Then l said, Il won
der you are willing to 60 away and
leave him here AL summer. Supposing
he should get sickr"
swell, 1 ,conld rather he had some |
one here with him, but be Will not De
Able to afford it 1 must have money
10 spend while 1 am away There are
always little unlooked-for expenses;
r.n,t go empty handed, and 1 tosli 60 |