Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-10-17

counts which come TO every house
hold.
"Have we money enough in bank TO
settle themp" asked John. slightly dis
mayed.
Eyes, John, the deposit you made
last week will enable us to meet the m
all and have little left, but very little,
so small q sum that we shall be oblig-
ed to give up all public amusements
and every cash outlay we can manage
to do without until you draw your next
quarters salary"
IL can stand it, my love-" said John,
"buJ fear it will be hard on you"
at would be much harder to find
ourselves hopelessly in debt, dear,
and, leaving her desk, the brave-heart-
ed little woman moved 20 the piIno,
where she was soon engaged in ban
ishing care from her husbands mind
and her own with their favorite songs.
During the next quarter John observ-
ed many evidences of his wife's exceed
ing caution in regard to needless ex-
penditures. If ever he CHANGED TO pro-
pose a drive or a visit 10 opera, theater,
concert or lecture, Mabel would say
gently but firmly:
wait until you draw another quar-
ter's salary, John, and then we shall
know what pleasure we can afford"
But they lived comfortably and we'll,
not one OF the necessaries OF life were
cut off, and John appreciated the wis
dom Mabel displayed in the wholesome,
nourishing. sensible food she provided
for their table.
One evening, after they had been
married six months and a new quarters
salary had been safely deposited in the
bank, they were sitting costly together,
John reading aloud, Mabel engaged in
bit of embroidery, when John sud-
denly looked up to see the effect on his
wife OF a startling statement he had
just read.
Upon my word, Mabel" cried he
abruptly interrupting himself, IL be-
lieve you are not listening"
Forgive me dear" said she, II was
thinking"
Thinking? Well, dearest. if your
thoughts are more interesting than
our book let me share them" and
Johns strong hand closed about her
white, delicate one as he spoke.
VERY we'll, John, | shall be glad to
have you share them, for they belong
to our common interest, land center
about a subject that is even more in
teresting than the book you are read
ing"
Tell me then, love"
81 am thinking OF a change l much
desire to make, and | don't want you
to oppose me, dear husband"
Oppose you. Did l ever oppose
you, Mabel?'
mo, dear. But what / have to pro-
pose will so surprise you that | have
feared you might oppose it. | have
thought OF it myself until | am con-
WINGED that it is practical, and | have
hoped to persuade you. | want TO dis
miss Hannah, and do the work of our
home myself"
Dismiss Hannah? Do your own
work. How in the world could this
daintily-built. slender hand be equal to
so rough task?" and he squeezed the
little hand that lay imprisoned in his
palm,
"Aye, but this is willing pair of
hands, cried Mabel, freeing the i'm
prisoned member, aud holding up both
lily-white hands. "And they will be
guided by willing heart ane reason
ing mind, possessions that are often
times more valuable in producing prac-
teal results than mere brute force. Let
me tell you my plan, John. intend TO
put out the washing and have woman
come in once week TO scrub, wash
windows, and do such other work as
do not care to undertake myself. All
the rest | can accomplish"
81 cannot quite comprehend your
object, my love. You are planning to
pay out as much money as you do now,
and yet do the biggest share of the
work yourself.
IF you were a housekeeper, John,
you would comprehend. What l pay
Hannah, three dollars a week, which
is precisely the sum the washing and
extra help will cost, is but a small por-
ton OF her expense TO us. The money
/ shall save in her board and in what
she wastes and destroys will amount to
good many dollars every month, and
/ want you TO let me try my expert
ment. My whole soul is bent on so
arranging our affairs so that we can
get ahead little in the world, and be-
gin TO run our house on cash basis,
as you OHCe HODtu we mlEHJ. 90
you remember speaking of this the
night we came home here for the first
timer" al often think of it, and
know now that it is the only right and
sensible way. As soon as we can ac-
complish this most desirable end we
shall be rich on our income and can
indulge in all the concerts and operas
we need and desire. Until then we
must be content with my music at
home"
She spoke feelingly, for they had
just missed very superior concert that
Mabel had secretly longed to attend,
but had given up because she longed
still more for the harmony of freedom
from debt.
A long earnest talk between hus-
band and wife now followed, and the
result was that Mabel had her way as
she always had. The next day warn
ing was given to Hannah, and one
week later Mabel reigned supreme in
kitchen as we'll as in parlor. The con-
sequences were highly satisfactory,
aud Mabel found herself provided with
some new facts in household economy
every day OF her life. In the beginning
~