Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-11


See''-and she held up IA plumbers
bill. GLACIERS bill, "a water rent state
ment and several of those small ac-
counts which come 10 every house.
hold.
"Have we money enough In bank 10
settle thempn asked John. slightly dis
mayed.
"Yes, John, the deposit you made
last week will enable Us to meet the m
all and have a little left, but very little,
so small sum that we shall be- oblig-
ed TO give up all public amusements
and every cash outlay we can manage
to do without until you draw your next
quarters salary"
II can stand it, my love- said John,
"but fear ii will be hard on you
1T would be much harder TO find
ourselves hopelessly in debt dear
and, leaving her desk, the brave-hcart-
ed little woman moved TO the pi no,
where she was soon engaged i'm BAN
ishing care from her husbands miad
and her own with their favorlte songs.
During the next quarter John observ-
ed many evidences Of his wiie's exceed
ing caution in regard TO needless eX-
penditures. IL ever he CHANGED To pro-
pose a drive or a visit 10 opera, theater,
concert or lecture, Mabel would say
gently but firmly:
wait until you draw another quar-
ter's salary, John, and then we shall
know what pleasure we can afford"
But they lived comfortably and we'll,
not one of the necessaries OF life were
cut off, and John appreciated the wis
dom Mabel displayed in the wholesome,
nourishing. sensible food she provided
for their table.
One evening, after they had been
married six months and new quarters
salary had been safely Deposited in the
bank, they were sitting costly together,
John reading aloud. Mabel engaged in
n bit Of embroidery, when John sud-
denly looked up to see the effect on his
wife OF a startling statement he had
just read.
Upon my word. Mabel" cried he
abruptly interrupting himself, IL be-
lieve you are not listening"
Forgive me dear" said she. IL was
thinking"
Thinking? Well, dearest. If your
thoughts are more interesting than
our book let me share them" and
Johns strong hand closed about her
white. delicate one as he spoke.
Very we'll, John. shall be glad to
have you share them. for they belong
to our common interest, and center
about "a subject that is even more in
tcresting than the book you are read
ing"
Tell me then, love"
Il am thinking of change I much
desire TO make, and | don't want you
to oppose me, dear husband.
Oppose you. Did l ever oppose
you, Mabel?'
No dear But what | have TO pro-
/ pose will so surprise you that / have
! feared you might oppose it. | have
thought of it myself until | am con-
| WINGED that it is practical. and | have
hoped to persuade you. | want to dis
miss Hannah, and do the work of our
home myself"
Dismiss Hannah? Do your own
work How in the world could this
! daintily- built. slender hand be equal TO
so rough task?" and he squeezed the
little hand that lay imprisoned in his
! palm.
AYE, but this is willing pair of
| hands" cried Mabel. freeing the i'm
prsoned member. aud holding up both
! lily-white hands. And they will be
! guided by willing heart anc a reason
! ing mind possess IONS that are often
times more valuable in producing prac-
| teal results than mere brute force. Let
me tell you my plan, John. intend to
put out the washing and have a woman
/ come in once a week to scrub, wash
windows, and do such other work as
| do not care to undertake myself. All
/ the rest | can accomplish"
81 cannot quite comprehend your
object, my love. You are planning to
/ pay out as much money as you do now,
and yet do the biggest share OF the
work yourself"
IF YOU were a housekeeDer, John,
| you would comprehend. What | pay
/ Hannah. three dollars n week, which
is precisely the sum the washing and
| extra help will cost, is but small por-
ton OF her expense to us. The money
| shall save in her board and in what
she wastes and destroys will amount to
a good many dollars every month, and
| want you 10 let me try my expert
ment. My whole soul is bent on SO
arranging our affairs so that we can
get ahead little in the world, and be-
gin to run our house on cash basis,
as you once hoped we might" 80
you remember speaking of this the
night we came home here for the first
timer" II often think of it. and |
know now that it is the only right and
sensible way. As soon n we can &C
complish this most desirable end we
shall be rich on our income and can
indulge in all the concerts and operas
we need and desire. Until then We
must be content with my music at
home"
She spoke feelingly, for they had
just missed very superior concert that
Mabel had secretly longed to attend,
but had given up because she longed
still more for the harmony of freedom
from debt.
A long earnest talk between hus-
band and wife now followed. and the
result was that Mabel had her way as
she always had. The next day warn
ing was given to Hannah. and one
week later Mabel reigned supreme in