Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-04-17

! quarter. lnaJ the only way can thlnk
of, and | wouldn't want to stop those
mo, to be sure not but isn't there any
other way 2"
Not that know Of
Don't you think the little incidental ex-
penses cost more than you think for =
such as what =
Cigars, ice-cream, oysters, theatre and
so ON
John Stetson WINGED little
They are mere trifes, said he careless
ly. "A few cents each time. Pooh they
would make but precious little difference at
the end of the year.
you know there's an old proverb-
Many mckle makes muckle >"
"Pshaw hate old proverbs. Besides
these little things are really of very little
account. A man doesn't feel the sum he
pays out, and if it don't 90 in one way, it
would another"
How many cigars do you smoke in
day -
Three
And how much do you pay for them
apiece Z"
Five cents
That would make fifteen cents"
And what's fifteen cents 3"
Not much in itself but multiplied by a
much larger number, it amounts to some
thing
What are you driving at, wife -
81 am going to make proposition to
you"
"Tm all attention.
'You say you don't mind few cents a
day
"Of course not"
Then propose that a small box be oh
tanned with slit in the lid, just like the
childrens savings boxes, in short, only
larger and for every cent you spend for
cigars, ice-cream, theatre or any such lux
uries you deposit an equal sum in the boxW
John Stetson laughed.
IL dare say" he remarked, ''it would
bring me out perfect Cresus at the end
of the year.
"Do you agree y asked his wife, with
some anxiety.
"Yes, l have no great objection if you
wish, though acknowledge it seems little
foolish"
Never mind about that. have your
promise, and wen try the experiment one
year. If it doesn't amount to enough to
make it an object, then it will he time to
give it up"
"You must take all the trouble of it. l
can't engage to do anything about it ex-
cept to furnish the money when it is called
for"
That is all | shall require of you But
| shall expect you to give me an account
every night of all that you have disbursed
in the way | spoke of, and be prepared with
equal amount of change for deposit
Very well, I'll try"
This conversation took place at the break
fast table. Having drained his second cup
of coffee, John Stetson put on his overcoat
and took his way to his place of business
| may as well mention in this connection,
that he was a cashier Of a small country
bank, and as his duties occupied him only
few hours in the day, he was more likely,
from the leisure which he enjoyed, to in
dulge in small expenses
MY wife is an enthusiast, " thought he
as he was walking down town. However,
her hobby wont cost much, so | might as
well indulge her in it.
He stepped into a store and obtained his
daily allowance of cigars
Meanwhile Mrs. Stetson proceeded to the
shop of a cabinet maker.
81 want you" said she, 'to make me a
mahogany box twelve inches long, the 9th
er dimensions being four inches each In
the centre of the box is to be a slit large
enough to admit the largest silver coin"
g. money box y asked the cabinet max
er.
"Yes."
Pretty large for that, isn't it I"
Rather, but better too large than too
SMALL
John Stetson fell in with companion in
the afternoon, with whom he had a social
chat. As they were walking lesurely
along they passed an oyster saloon.
Stetson was particularly fond of the bi-
valves, and he proposed that they go in
and take some.
To this his friend did not demur, and
they accordingly entered Two plates of
oysters came to thirty cents Besides this
they took glass of soda each which made
ten cents more. This brought the bill up to
forty cents, which Stetson paid Accord
ingly, adding TO this fifteen cents for ci-
gars, he deposited iifty-hve cents in his
wife's hand the next evening.
81 might as we'll make it sixty, he add
ed.
No." said she, mot cent over. l
want the savings TO represent exactly what
you spent on these little Injuries, and no
more. o."
The next evening he had nothing to de-
posit, except the usual amount for cigars.
81 wont count up very fast at this rate, ~
said he triumphantly
want you to increase your expenditures on
my account. | am inclined to think they
will not often be as small as this -
She was right,
The next day being Wednesday, John
Stetson brought home a couple of tickets
for the theatre. II was a benefit night aud
he was anxious that his wife should go.
Certainly ~ said she. 81 shall be glad
TO go. But You remember our compact"
"What Z"
How much did you pay for the ticketsl"
Fifty cents apiece"
THAT will make dollar. Please hand
me that amount for our fund.
WAS the theatre included = said John,
reluctantly.
Certainly, it was expressly mentioned 4"
"Oh, well, then, so let it be. Here is a
silver dollar"
The dollar was at once dropped into the
box.
The next day in passing shop window,
Stetson noticed some fine oranges.
Just what Mary and the children would
like" thought he. "I'll go in and inquire
the price.
They were four cents apiece. He bought
half dozen at a cost of a quarter which,
with his cigar money, left him thirty cents
to deposit
The succeeding day he spent nothing ex-
cept for cigars. On Saturday he stepped
into a confectionery establishment with
friend and had lunch.
When his wife added up the daily sums
she found 10 her own surprise, even, that
she had received two dollars and sixty two
cents He would have been astonished 10
hear il, but she thought it best not 10 say
anything about it. He would have alleged
NN..N ~ - 4
20 10 the theatre every week. This was
true, but then something else was sure 10
come of equal cost such as a ride or con
cert
We will now suppose the year 10 have
glded by. John StetsOn came into the sit
ting room with pre-occupied air.
What are You thinking about n asked