The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-02-27
Selected Storn.
Mary Kent's Precedent.

w ell, lutU, w DCtu DdNlu2 lut
quarterly bills, and they're much heavier
than l expected"
You always say that"
d" 1t is always true"
Let me see them, please.
The weary man gave her the papers
with an air of hopeless resignation
which, to his sanguine wife, seemed
amusingly disproportoned to the cause.
That she failed to repress a smile was
unfortunate.
1t may seem funny to you, Mary;
you don't care for my interest, of
course"
The smile died suddenly, and the lips
were tightly closed to restrain an angry
retort, as her husband continued:
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
foresee the sure result"
elf were a man / would do some
thing to stop the leak ] would never
sit down and mourn over little
money" No sooner said than re-
GREETED, for the wife knew her husband
well-good to his hearts core and
usually most kind-but money-maker
never.
q don't see where all this sugar can
have gone tol Listen: March 9Th, Sth,
18th, Goth, thirty-five pounds in less
than three weeks. Three in the family;
no tea or coffee drinkers except myself;
there was little company and no extra
dishes. We could not have used it,"
There are four of us with the serv-
ant"
CT begin to think that fourth men,
Der very costly one. 1 do wish you
would give up going to thu kitchen to
ask what is wanted. If Bridget had to
come to me each time to ask for supplies
1t would be saving to your pocket"
"She tells me every morning as l am
starting for the village, and l supposed
by your order; if you would be in the
kitchen morel"
"Somehow 1 can't be when she is
there. She is capable, she does her
work well, and she makes me feel an
intruder. 1t is her kitchen, not mine"
"Then l see no way but to 90 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-
ling?"
"Never mind, dearie; nothing to
trouble you"
" Money talk-I know! / hate it! 1t
always makes you cry, and papa angry,
and everything horrid."
"Hush, Ruth! Don't add any more
water to this overflow. Mother can
not bear to see tears in your young
eyes," and she mentally settled reso-
luton that no one should ever again see
them in hers for such cause.
The Kents had small income, which
was inherited, and which, from frail
health and native lack of "push,"
the husband was never able to increase.
He had early married Mary Hubbard, an
independent, brave little school-mis-
tress, who had freely earned and
freely spent in the days before her
marriage, and, without much thought
about the matter, when her wedding
tinery was worn out she had simply
told her husband that her wardrobe
needed replenshing.
When few dollars were given her,
with strict injunctions as to their care
full using, she had learned bitter
lesson.
John had not meant to be unkind.
He knew nothing of the cost of wom-
ems clothing, and, in his nominally
"pinched - condition, had fancied
himself really very 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 har oil
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 men,
orable occasion she waited long, but
none was offered her. So one day
she quietly announced that she was
s. going to have class in painting"
" Nonsensel Why should you do
that?"
6 think it would be-nice." Neces-
sary would have been nearer the truth.
g i think it would be ridiculous. Be
sides, what will people think? If you
take care of your home it is enough"
{" / like to be helpful. What people
think makes no difference to me if |
am doing right"
" Very well; as you choose"
This had been long ago, in those first
early months of welded life which, to
truly loving hearts, are harder to bear
than any which come later.
The " class " was organized and had
been kept up with more or less profit
ever since.
" Ruthie, please ask papa to come in.
| want to talk with him -
" Not about expenses, mamma; please
don't"
" Yes, darling, about money; but
don't you fear. Mother has had
happy ideal We're going to have the
Joliest times-you see! Run quickly.
I'm all Impotence, and when once the
details are settled, I'll tell you and you
shall share.'
John appeared. "My dear, | don't
see any use in discussing the vexed
question; it amounts to nothing"
"Silence, doubling Thomas!' Sit
down by my desk and look over my
figures; but first shorten up your coun-
tenance and put on your Specs"
The npar-2iUhtpd husband pnmn1iad