The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-10-25

sighed and folded up his napkin.
knew him to be the kindest, most in.
dulgent husband, and l felt indignant
to see him so imposed upon. When
we returned to our sewing, / dexter
ously led the conversation to the sub
ject
How tired and hungry Mr.. Walters
must get, working as he does out of
doors all dayp" l said.
Eyes, 1 suppose he does" she an
swered, carelessly.
81 should think you would take a
great deal of pains to have things
nice for him. he is so thoughtful for
youP" ventured, further
"Oh, no! He doesn't expect me to
exert myself He knows how frail
/ ami
This, uttered at the sewing-machine
in the pauses of stitching sixth
ruffie on summer silk" did not i'm
press me as being very consistent
Besides" she continued, presently.
1--WE must economic. My outfit is
costing great deal and my trip will
be expensive. 1 can not afford to
spend much on our home living. I
don't have any appetite myself, any
way, so bother just as little with
housework and cookery as l can"
This was so manifestly selfish that
it fairly took my breath away, and I
worked several button-holes before
speaking again. Then l said: IL
wonder you are willing to 60 away
and leave him here alone all summer.
Supposing he should get sickp"
''Well, VoWld rather he had some
one here with him, but he will not be
able to afford it. 1 mast have money
to spend while | am away. There are
always little unlooked-for expenses. I
can't go empty handed, and l wW
! 60. Jack promised me before we were
married that should always have a
SKINNER trip. and l mean to keep him
| to il"
These are not fancy sketches. They
are drawn from life, and many more
might be added. In fact. have known
more wives than husbands to take the
lions share of the income and use it
| for selfish pleasures in which the 9TH
ers had no share
One woman | know whose husband
| has broken down from over-work.
Her house is perfect museum of USE
| less pieces of furniture and finery,
| hideOus chrOmOs, ornaments" silks,
laces, ETC., etc. She bores every Wis.,
itor she has showing these, and be-
wailing the "better days" when she
constantly haunted bargain counters,
and ends by saying: 81 little thought
l would one day have to take boarders
for livingr' as if she, instead of her
| poor, brOken-dOwn husband, were the
aggrieved one. 1t is evident that she
really thinks she is. Even now she
stints her family in every possible way
| that she may save for fresh ''bar-
gains"
Some years ago, when we were
younger and less wise, my husband
and l resolved to cut down our living
expenses in order to purchase a set of
books for which our souls longed. We
did so, and enjoyed the possession of
them as only book-lovers can, but all
at once our days began to be languid
and nervous, and. our nights filed
with troubled dreams. The symptoms
increased until, alarmed, we ''called
the doctor in" He looked wise, asked
questions, then prescribed tOnics, and
nourishing diet! How we laughed
when he had gone! 1t was such
Joke on us! When we viewed the con-
dition of the family purse, after pay
ing the doctor and druggist bills, we
realized that it was useless to try to
cheat nature. But how much better
/ felt than if had privately cut down
the table expenses to indulge some
selfish ''fad'' of my own, then ascribed
our feebleness to a ''mysteriOus dis
pensatiOn of an all-wise Providence!
judith Sunshine, in Good House
| keeping.