Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-10-03

perhaps Mrs. Sunshine would like
some more' t
.'Would you like some more, Mrs
Sunshine?'' she said, turning to me-
OF course said no.
He waited several minutes, then
said:
IF it isn't too much trouble to get
it. would like another piece.
She looked unsmilingly at him for
several seconds, then arose and cut
him one little piece. He ate it. looked
around wistfully at the empty dishes,
sighed and folded up his napkin. I
knew him to be the kindest. most in
dulgent husband, and felt indignant
to see him SO imposed upon. When
we returned to our sewing, I 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 day?" said.
Eyes, I suppose he does,'' she an
swered, carelessly.
81 should think you would take
great deal of pains to have things
nice for him, he is SO thoughtful for
youp' l ventured, further.
''Oh, mol He doesn't expect me to
exert myself He knows how frail
1 ami
This, uttered at the sewing
in the pauses of stitching a sixth
fruf1e on q summer silk" did not inn
press me as being very consistent
Besides" she continued, presently,
1--WE must economize. My outfit is
costing a 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 1 bother just as little with
homework and cookery as can"
This was SO manifestly selfish that
it fairly took my breath away. and 1
speaking again. Then 1 said: 81
wonder you are willing to go away
and leave him here alone all summer.
Surprising he should get sick?"
s'Well, sooxzd rather he had some
one here with him, but he will not be
able to afford it. I must have money
to spend while am away. There are
always little unlooked-for expenses.
can't go empty handed, and I soill
go. Jack promised me before we were
married that I should always have a
summer trip. and I mean to keep him
to it. -
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 I know whose husband
has broken down from over-work.
Her house is perfect museum of USE
less pieces of furniture and fnery,
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
I would one day have to take boarders
for a livingr' as if she, instead of her
poor, broken-down husband, were the
aggrieved one. It 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 resolved to cut down our living
expenses in order to purchase 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
a nourishing diet! How we laughed
when he had gone! It 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 I had privately cut down
the table expenses to indulge some
selfish ''fad'' of my own, then ascribed
our feebleness to mysterious dis
pensatiOn of an all-wise Providencer
judith Sunshine, in Good House.
keeping.
A Kings Curious Custom.