Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-03-29
MARY KENT'S PLAN.
How Independent Housekeeping
Proved a Success.

@'OAhihbs
The lady did not seem satisfied.
"Well, then. I've been paying the
quarterly bills, and they're much heav.
Ter than expected"
you always say that"
at is always true"
Let me sec them, please"
The weary man gave her the papers
with nm air OF hopeless resignation
which. to his sanguine wife, seemed
nmusingly dlsproportioned to the
cause. That she failed to reprcss a
smile was unfortunate.
"It may seem funny to you, Mary;
you don't care for my interest, OF
course
Tho smile died suddenly, and the
lips were tightly closed TO restrain an
angry retort. us her husband con-
tinuod:
Every year we've been living about
five hundred dollars ahead Of our In
come. This excess comes out OF our
small principal-and l suppose you
can foresoe the sure result"
''lf | were man. | would do some
thing to stop the leak; | would never
sit down and mourn over little
money! No sooner said than regret
ted; for the wife knew her husband
we'll; good to his hearts core, and
usually most kind but money-maker
never.
ii don't SEQ where all this sugar can
have gone tol Listen: March 9th. 8th,
18th. goth, thirty-iive pounds in less
than throe weeks. Three in tho family;
no tea or coffee drinkers except my
self; there was little company and no
extra dishes. We could not have used
it,"
There arc four OF us with the ser
vantn
I'll begin to thiulS that fourth men,
ber is very costly one do wish
you would give up going to the kitchen
10 ask what Is wanted; II Bridget had
TO come to me each time to ask for sup
plies it would DO a saving to your
pocket"
"She tells me every morning as /
am starting for tho village, and sup
posed by your order; If you would be
in the kitchen more"
Somehow ! can't be when she is
there. She is capable, she does her
work well. and shc makes me feel an
intruder. It is her kitchen, not
minel
Then sec no way but to go on to
the end" John went out, and Ruth.
running in from play, found her usually
cheerful mother In tears.
"What is the matter, mamma, dar-
lingPn
Never mind. dearie; nothing to
trouble you"
money talk--I know! hate It! II
always makes you cry, and papa angry,
and every thing horrid."
Hush, Ruth! Don't add any more
water to this overflow. Mother can
not bear to SEQ tears in your young
eyes," and she mentally settled a reso-
luton that none should ever again see
them in hers, for such cause.
The Kents had n small income, in
herited; which, from frail health and
n natural lack OF push" the husband
was never able to increase. He had
carly married Mary Hubbard. an in
dependent, brave little school-mistress.
who had freely earned and freely spent
In tho days before her marriage; and,
without much thought about the
matter when her wedding flnery was
worn out, she had simply told her
husband that her wardrobe needed re-
plenishing.
When few dollars were given her,
with strict injunctions rs to their care
full using, she had learned bitter
lesson.
John had not meant to be unkind.
He knew nothing of the cost OF
womon's clothing, and-in his nor
mally "pinched' condition = had
fancied himself reolly generous. He felt
his wife's value, was proud Of her quick
wit and skillful fingers; the whole
house bore witness to her culture and
refinement. Her paintings graced his
walls, her music gladdened his even.
ings, her knowledge was daily and
most faithfully being impaired to their
little child.
Mary never requested money for her
personal needs again; after that
memorable occasion she waited long,
but none was offered her. So one day
she quietly announced that she was
"going to have class in painting"
"Nonsensei Why should you do
thatp'
Il think II would be-nice." Neces.
sary would have been nearer the truth.
~ think 1t would be ridiculous. Be.
sides. Whit would people thlnkp u
you take care Of your home IL is
enough"
81 like TO be holpful. What people
think makes no difference to me. II
am doing right"
"Very well; as you choose"
This had been long ago, in those first
early months Of welded life which, TO