The Delta independent., 1889-04-16
SMALL SAVINGS.
BY HoRAT1o ALCER, JR.

81 don't see how Holmes does IT,,
said John Stetson, with puzzled ex-
preston. "Does whatP" asked his
wife, looking up from her sewing.
.'Why, save so much money from his
salary, to be sure"
..Then he does save, does hep"
"You know the half-acre lot adioin-
ing his housep"
"Yes."
"Well, he has just bought it 70. a
hundred dollars, and what is more paid
for it out of money saved from his
salary this year"
'sHow does his salary compare with
yours?"
..He has only seven hundred dollars
a year. whilo have eight. Then our
families are the same; each of us has
two children."
"Yet, am afraid you don't save near
that amount"
'No. guess not. The fact is, If !
find myself square at the end Of the
year, think myself lucky"
hHu yCU, Ootll, 6alu ll1o WIG, RTdV6-
ly, lit seems to me as if we ought to
lay by something"
'.It is easy enough to say that, but
the que estion is, How are we going to
do itP' There's Mary's music lessons,
at ten dollars quarter. That's the
only way I can think Of, and 1 shouldn't
want to stop those"
mo, to be sure not; but isn't there
any other wayP"
mot that know Of"
Don't you think, John, the little in
cfdentsNexpenses cost more than you
think 1orP'
..Such as what?"
"Cigars, ice cream, oysters, the
theatre, and SO on"
John Stetson WINGED little.
"They are mere triHes," said he,
carelessly, "a few cents each time.
Pooh! they would make precious
little difference at the end of the
year."
"You know therc's an old proverb,
Many little makes mickle.'"
"Pshaw! l hate old proverbs. Be-
sides, these little things are really very
little account A man doesn't feel
the sum he pays out, and, If it
didn't go in one way, it would in an
other"
GLOW many cigars do you smoke
daily?" pursued his wife.
'.Three."
"And how much do you pay for
themp
-Four cents apiece"
"That would make twelve centsP"
"And what's twelve centsp"
Not much in itself, but multiplied
by u large number, it amounts to some
thing"
"What are you driving at, wife?"
81 am going to make a proposition
to you" fss-kR
I'm all attention"
"You say you don't mind a few cents
q day"
stOf course not"
''Then propose that a small box be
obtained, with a slit in the lid, just like
the children's tin savings boxes, in
short, only larger; and that for every
cent you spend for cigars, ice cream,
theaters, or any such little luxury, you
deposit an equal sum in the box"
John Stetson laughed.
II dare say" he remarked, ait would
bring me out perfect Cresus at the
end of the year."
"Do you agreeP" asked his wife, with
some appearance of anxiety.
Eyes; 1 have no great objection, II
you desire it, though 1 acknowledge it
seems u little foolish and childish"
"Never mind about that l have
your 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 I'LL the trouble of it.
1 can't engage to do anything about it
except to furnish the money when it is
called for"
.sThat is all shall require of you.
But Il shall expect you to give an ac-
count every night of all that you have
disburseo in the ways Ihave spoken of,
and to be prepared with an equal
amount of change for deposit"
Every well, pll try"
This conversation took place at the
breakfast table. Having drained his
second cup Of coffee, John Stetson put
on his overcoat, and took his way to
his place Of business. I may as we'll
mention, in this connection, that he
was cashier of bank, and, as his
duties occupied him only few hours
inthe day, he was more likely, from
the leisure which he enjoyed, to in
dulge in small expenses.
..My wife is an enthusiast" thought
he, as he was walking down town.
However, her hobby won't cost much,
SO might as well indulge her in it"
He stepped into store. and obtained
his daily allowance Of cigars.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Stetson proceeded
to the shop of a cabinet maker.
81 want you," said she, "to make me
a mahogany box twelve inches long,