The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-21
MIR. AND MRS. BowsER.

lCdn uan-OI-War on the eve OF her de-
parture from the Azorean port.
SALISBURY.
MIR. AND MRS. BOwSER.
In spite of what have written about
Mr., BOwser's shortcomings l have no
doubt that he compares favorably with
the average husband. and in some attri
butes know he excels. Before our mar
riage mother insisted that we settle one
important question. viz what allowance
was to have weekly. When broach-
ed the subject Mr.. Browser promptly re.
Piled : r..
"Half of all | have or earn is, or will
be, yours. When you want money you
will simply go to the family pocketbook
and take 1t and use it as your judgment
dictates"
When told mother what he said she
rep led
That is too generous. l never knew
a man TO make such an offer that he did
not afterward pinch his wife down to
fifty cents week.
When the question incidentally came
again. later on, Mr.. Bowser took occa-
sion to observe VI
"There will always be money in the
house, and l don't want to marry a wo-
man whom l could not trust to use it
for our best interest. II will belong to
you as much as to me, and you need
never ask for dollar" ...
A few weeks after our marriage an
agent called at the house with some fan
cy work, and took So from the wallet
inthe bureau drawer and made some
purchases. That evening when Mr..
Bowser came home proudly pointed to
my tides and mats and said
"Those were purchased with our
money Mr.. Bowser."
"How our money p
Why, l took bill from the family
wallet"
You did Who gave you permission
to fling my morey around for GIN
cracks p
doesn't half of it belong to me ?"
mot by long shot !"
"But before we were married you said
it would"
That's in theory, of course. will
see that you are not tempted again.
When you want money ask for it. l
can then put the money down on my
CdbI DOOh anu Oul Ca DChoCos
The next week l wanted new bonnet
and asked Mr.. Bowser for SIS.
"Flffteen what ~ he gasped as he
looked up. ........
Dollars"
What for ~
"To buy bonnet"
Fifteen dollars to buy bonnet You
must be crazyf can't afford any such
extravagance." ....
But yon said you could trust my
judgment"
Never did No woman on earth has
Judgment enough to use $40 bill"
"And you said had only TO ask you
when l wanted money"
But | meant to have explained to
you, Mrs. Bowser. There are times
when the best of us may be hard up.
Never ask me at tax time. Never ask
me when have coal to buy. Never ask
in the spring, when shall be making
repairs. Don't ask during the holiday
season, for then l am buying presents.
In fact, when can spare any money
will give it to you without your asking
"But you once said wife must feel
mean without money, and that you be-
leved in a weekly allowance" l pro-
tested.
81 still say so and I still believe so. l
think it would be most satisfactory to
both of us. Mrs. Bowser, name the sum
you are willing to take"
For pin money ?"
''Of course. Women are always want
ing little trifles, and l shall give you 3
weekly salary to buy them. Now, how
much ?"
I'll hardly know"
Gould you get everything on So a
week ?r
81 think l could"
Every WE'LL This is Saturday. Here's
your salary. When Saturday comes
hold out your hand for your money. |
don't believe in wife crawling and
begging for money
The next week held out my hand and
my salary was promptly handed over,
but when the succeeding Saturday ar
rived Mr.. Bowser observed
Lets see ! You have had $40, l
presume that every red cent of it has
been squandered. Let's figure little
and see what you have bought
"But was it not mine, to use as
thought best p
Theoretically yes; but should you
become spendtbrift who would be re
spenslbIe for it? The possession Of
plenty Of money has been the ruinatlon
of many women"
"Never ruined man, l supposeT 2
possibly; but that's not the question,
Let us figure.
So we will Mr.. BowseI Your income
last week was $40. You gave me 50.
How have you used the restE
''Are you crazy p he gasped.
"No, sir How did you use that
money ?"
He looked at me long time and then
handed me my salary and the subject
was dropped. The next week, however.
he cut me down dollar, and the second
week got but two. i
I-I don't understand" | said as !
looked at the bill.
ats sll can spare"
Then it's all right, and I'll try and
make it do"
AT the end of the sixth or seventh
week asked for my salary and arrears,
and Mr.. Bowser jumped up and de
named
"What salary ? What arrears II
YOU want money why uOu gOu dsh iOi
it. the same as other wives do What
are you trying to get at
Don't | have a weekly salary 2
"Not that | ever heard of.
but you said-I thought you were
going toto
"Going to Texas1' Oh, no Mrs.
Bowser you have been exposed to the
measles, and YOU are over excited. II
you want quarter or fifty cents, here
it is, but please control your nerves a
little better"
But don't get s. week 2
"Not that l know of.
"And you go back on your word, do
you p
"Mrs. Bowser, the term go back is
slangy. Please don'E use it at our fire.
side, If occasion should ever arise when
you felt the need OF money, don't hes-
tate to ask me. Here are a couple OF
street car tickets now. l always have
change with me. Let us now drop the
subject" ... ........l
POOR BUT HONEST.