The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-02-27
THE WAY on SOME HUSBANDS.
Mrs. Bowser Rdlxtes an Interesting Chap.
ter OF Domestic Economy. g5

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 at
tributes lsknow he excels. Before our
marriage mother insisted that we
settle one important question-viz.:
what allowance Twas to have weekly.
When / broached the subject Mr..
Bowser promptly replied:
"Half of all have or earn is or will
be, yours. When you want money
youwill simply go to the family pocket
book and take il and use it ais your
Judgment dictates.''
When / told mother what hesaid:s she
replied:
s'That is too generous. / never knew
man to make.such an offer that he
didn't afterward pinch his wife down
to SO cents week. .
When the question incidentally came
up again, later on, Mr.. Bowser took
occasion to observe:
"There will always be money in the
house, and dom want to marry a
woman svlialu q 5anld not trust to ,nss
it for onr best interest. It Wifi be-
long to you as much as to me, and you
need never ask for a dollar.'
A few weeks after our marriage an
agent called at the house with some
fancy work, and I took IS from the
wallet in the bureau drawer and made
some purchases. That evening when
Mr.. Bowser came home I proudly
pointed to my tides and mats and said:
'Those were purchased with our
money, Mr.. Bowser."
'.How our money!"
Wallet
..You did! Who gave you permis-
gimcracksP"
Doesn't half OF it belong to mep"
''Not by long shot!"
''But before we were married you
said it would"
"That's in theory, of course. I will
see that you are not tempted again.
When you want money ask me for
it. can then put the amount down
IN my cash-book and figure our ex-
penses."
The next week I wanted a new bon.
net, and l asked Mr.. Bowser for SIS.
''Fifteen what!' he gasped as he
looked up.
'Dollars."
"What forp"
ITO buy bonnet"
'Fifteen dollars to buy q bonnet!
You must be crazy! I can't afford any
such extravaganza"
'sBut you said you would trust my
judgment"
'.Never did! No woman on earth
has Judgment enough to use $40 BILL"
'tAnd you said l 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 l have coal to buy. Never
ask in the spring when I shall be max
ing repairs. Don't ask during the
holiday season, for then I am buving
| presents. In fact, when I can spare
| any money ] will give it to you with.
out you asking"
ssBut you once said wife must feel
mean without money, and that you be,
lieved in weekly allowance" / pro.
tested.
81 still say so and still believe so.
! think it would be more 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 trit1es, and l shall give you a
weekly salary to buy them. How
much?'
"I-I hardly know"
Gould you get everything on SIS a
week?"
II think could'
Every well. This is Saturday. Here's
your salary. When Saturday comes
hold out your hand for your money.
don't believe IN a'wife crawling and
begging for money"