The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-01-30
SMALL SAVINGS.
BY HoRATIo ALGER, JR.

ssid John Stetson, with a puzzled ex-
preston.
'.Does what?" asked his wife, looking
Hp from her sewing.
@Why, save so much money from his
salRry, to be sure"
''Then he does save, does he?"
.'You know the half.acre lot adjoining
his house,
Yes"
'tWell, he has Just bought it for a
hundred dollars, and what is more, paid
for it out of money saved from his salary
this year."
.How does his salary compare with
yours:"
t'He has only seven hundred dollars a
year, while l have eight. Then our
families are the same; each of US has two
children"
''Yct, I am afraid you don't save near
That amount"
'.No. I guess not. The fact is, if I
fnd myself square at the end of the year,
think myself lucky"
'And yet, John" said his wife,
gFarely, sit seems to me as If we ought
30 my by something"
''ll's easy enough to say that, but the
question is, How are we going to do it2'
There's Mary's music lessons, at ten dol
&ars quarter. That's the only way I
csn think of, and l shouldn't want to
stop those"
''No. to be sure not; but isn't there
any other way2"
mot that know Of"
"Don't you think, John, the little
incidental expenses cost more than you
ehink for"
'tSuch as what"
.tigars, ice cream, oysters, the theatre,
and so on
John Stetson WINGED little.
"They are mere trities," said he, care
1essly. "a few cents each time. Pooh! !!
they would make precious little dider-
sere st the end of the year."
''lou know there's an old proverb {:
eMany little makes a mickle."
"Pshaw! I hate old proverbs. Be-
sides, these little things are really of
very little account. A man doesn't feel
the sum he pays out, and if it doesn't
80 in one way, it would in another"
'tHow many cigars do you smoke
aRi]y9' pursued his wife.
''Three."
"And how much do you pay for them. "
HFive cents apiece"
"That would make fifteen cents"
'.And what's fifteen cents"
''Not much in itself, but multiplied
BY large number, it amounts to some
shing"
.'What are you driving at, wife2"
Stl am going to make proposition to
you."
Pm all attention."
'tlou say you don't mind few cents
o day."
s.Of course not"
'sThen l propose that q small box be
ebtained, with slit in the lid, just like
ths children's tin savings boxes, in short,
only larger; and that tor every cent
Jon spend for cigars, ice cream, thea
tres, or any such little luxury, you de-
9usit an equal sum in the box"
John Stetson laughed.
"9 dare say" he remarked, ''it would
Bring me out a perfect Cresus at the
s0d of the year."
'.Do you agree2" asked his wife, with
some appearance OF anxiety.
''Yes; 1 have no great objection, If
Jon desire it, though I acknowledge it
seems little foolish and childish"
''Sever mind about that. ! have
Jour promise, and we'll try the expert
ment one year. If it doesn't amount to
enough to make it an object, then it
will be time to give it up"
''You must take all the trouble of it.
lcsn't engage to do anything about it
except to furnish the money when it is
called for"
''That is all I shall require of you.
But shall expect you to give an account
every night of all that you have dis
bussed in the ways Ispoke of, and to be
prepared with an equal amount of
change for deposit"
''Nery well. I'll try"
This conversation took place at the
breaS fast table. Having drained his
second cup of coffee, John StctSon put
ON his overcoat, and took his way to his
place of business. l may as well men
non, in this connection, that he was
cashier of a small country bank, and, as
ms duties occupied him only q few
honrs in the day, he was more likely,
from the leisure which he enjoyed, to
indulge in small expenses.
My wife is an enthusiast" thought
DC. as he was walking down town.
.4However, her hobby won't cost much,
10 ] might a; we'll indulge her in it"
He stepped into store and obtained
his daily allowance of cigars.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Stetson proceeded to
The shop of cabinet maker.
aI want you," said she, ito make me