Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-11
ON A CASH BASIS.


live on 81, 900 year, MabelP'
'Why notp One thousand dollars!
Dear John, think it will be wealth. "
But my dearest, you must re men,
Der that the strictest economy will
have to be pr cticed to secure the
comforts you need, and at best, you
cannot have the luxuries TO which you
are accustomed.
"You foolish OLD dear, what do care
for that! | shall have your loving de-
votion. What more can | desire? Be.
sides, papa will furnish our home, and
give me clothes enough TO last ever so
long"
John Bryce and Mabel Vaughan had
been engaged for several months.
Neither of them believed in long en-
gagements, but John had feared to
snatch his cherished darling from the
home Of elegance in which she had
been reared He knew he would be
wretchedly unhappy if she should fail
to thrive in the mode OF living he
could afford, and he was quite sure he
could not keep up IA style that would
accord with the handsome outfit which
was all they could expect for the pres
ent from Papa Vaughan, who had sew
eral other children to provide for
This evenings conversation with
Mabel, however, which lasted until a
late hour, set all doubts at rest, and ere
many weeks had passed away, the
young couple were united in the bonds
of holy wedlock.
Mable made charming bride and
looked exquisitely lovely in the costly
bridal robes provided for her by her
loving parents. Avery stylish evening
wedding was given to their daughter by
Papa and Mamma Vaughan, and John,
who had calculated on a quiet morning
ceremony. found his purse somewhat
crippled by the unexpected additions
he was forced 10 make to his wardrobe.
Moreover, the wedding trip he and Ma
bel had planned in view OF having il
delightful though inexpensive, proved
To be far more eXtravagant than he had
deemed possible, for at every hotel
where they put up. to their utmost
surprise, the young couple were usher
ed into the bridal chamber, of course
the most expensive in the building.
They had tried to appear like an old
married couple; Mable had even car
ried slightly worn hand satchel, that
no one need suspect her OF being d
bride on account Of the newness of
everything about her, and yet wherever
they went they were spotted directly as
bride and groom. This must be on ac-
count OF the glowing newspaper re-
ports of their brilliant wedding, they
finally concluded.
When they reached their homo al
Johns new-found happiness could no
keep him from feeling rather down.
hearted over the fact that he had eX-
hausted large share OF the quarter
salary he had drawn on his wedding
day, as well as the reserve fund he had
expected would cover his wardrobe and
trip. He and Mabel had wisely re
solved to have no secrets from each
other, and so he told her frankly the
condition Of his purse.
That need not trouble Us. John
dear" she said cheerily. I'VE shall
have "a book at the butchers and at
the grocer's, and settle our accounts
every quarter. That's the way MAN.
ma always does. IL you are short of
money now. you will have plenty to
pay our bills when they come in"
But had a fancy to begin house
keeping on cash basis" faltered
John.
$50 we can in regard 10 all small
expenses. Please don't worry about
housekeeping details, dear. They be-
long to me. We shall come out right
at the end OF the year. am not
afraid"
John felt very proud of the house =
wifey dignity his Mabel displayed. She
Inspired him with confidence in her
skill as manager, and he took great
pride in placing his check book at her
disposal. The next day he resumed
his duties at his place Of business, and
Mabels life as "a housekeeper began in
earnest. She kept but one girl. and,
although her house was not large, she
found much with which TO busy herself.
She took infinite pains ~ have her ia
BILE as choice and dainty as possible, in
order to tempt her husband appetite,
which tagged at times when he was
working pretty hard and she never
failed TO meet John with a loving smile
and word when he returned from his
days cares, She had pretty, we'll
trained voice. and had received an ex-
cellent musical education. Her new
duties did not prevent her from devot-
ing some time each day to practice, and
she was always ready to play and sing
for John when they were at home to-
gether. Occasionally they attended "A
good concert opera, or dramatic per-
formance; sometimes they passed an
hour with Mabers parents. or returned
some friendly call; but the greater part
of their evening hours were spent at
home with delightful music, reading
and conversation. 1t rejoiced Johns
heart to find that Mabel gave not the
slightest evidence of feeling pinched
on their slender income.
A change spread over the spirit Of
their dream, however, when the first
quarters bills fell due. John came
home one day and found Mabel at her
desk with her checlx-book and confu-
sion of papers about her. The face he
loved so well wore "A troubled look. and
he detected traces of tears in his dar-
ling wife's eyes.
What is it, Mabel" he asked ten
derlv