The morning call., 1891-06-09
MARY KENT'S
PRECEDENT.

well, then, I've been paying the quar-
terly bills, and they're much heavier than
expected"
You always say that"
cit is always true
let he see them, please"
The weary man gave her the papers with
an air of hopeless resignation which, to his
sanguine wife, seemed amusingly dispro-
portioned to the cause. That she failed to
Tepress a smile was unfortunate.
at 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 10 restrain an angry re-
tort. as her husband continued;
Every year we've been living about $500
ahead of our income. THIS excess comes out
of our small pTiucipal-anI l suppose you
can fOreSee the sure result
III ! were man | would do something to
stop the leak; would never sit down and
mourn over a little money" No sooner
said than regretted, f0T the wife knew her
husband well; good to the hearts core, and
! usually most kind; but mOney-maKer
never.
81 don't see where all this sugar could
| have gone To! Listen: March 9th, 8th, 18th,
20th. thirty-fye 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 servant"
Il begin to think the fourth member IS a
| very costly one do wish you would give
up going to the kitchen TO ask what is
wanted; if Bridget had to come to me each
time t. ask for supplies it would be say
| ing 20 your pocket"
'She tells me every morning as l am
starting fer the village, aud / supposed by
your order; II you would be In the kitchen
mOreP
Somehow l can't be when she's there.
She is capable, she does her work WELL and
she makes Inc feel au intruder. 1t is her
kitchen, not mineY
"Ihen I see no way but t. 60 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, darlng?"
Never mind, deaTle; nothing to trouble
money talk-I kuowl 1 hate it! 1t al
ways makes you cry, and papa angry, and
every hing hOTTid."
Hush. Ruth" Don't add any more
water to this overflow. Mother cannot bear
TO see tears in your young eyes; and she
mentally settled a resolution that none
should ever again see them In hers, for
such cause.
The Kents had a small income, inherited;
which, from fral health and a native lack
of ''Dush, =" tie husband was never able to
tLGlGNStt IL ud't Edti9 lltl AC4 AAat1 Lluo-
bard, al independent, brave little school
mistress, who had freely earned and freely
spent in the days before her marriage; aud
without much thought about the matter
when her wedding tinery was worn out, she
had simply told her husband that her ward
robe needed rep,enishing.
When a few dollars we're given her. with
strict iujunCtiOnS as TO their careful using,
she had learned bitter lesson.
John had not meant to be unkind. He
knew nothing Of the cost Of wOmen's cloth
ing and-in his normally "pinched" cOndi-
tion-had fancied himself really very gen
erous. He felt his wift's value was proud
of her quick wit and skiliful fingers; the
whole house bore witness TO her culture
aud refinement. Her paintings graced his
walls, her music gladdened his evenings,
her knowledge was daily and most faith
fully being impaired TO their little child.
Mary never requested money for her per-
sOnal needs again; after that memorable
occasion she waited long, but none wac
offered her. So one day she quietly an
nounced that she was going to have class
in painting"
Nonsense! Why should you do that?"
4 think it would be-nce." Necessary
would have been nearer the Truth.
Il think it would be ridiculous. Be-
sides, what would people think? II you
take care of your home it is enough"
u ike TO be helpful. What people
think makes no difference to LIE, 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 mere or less profit ever since.
"Ruthic, please ask papa to come in; l
want to talk with him.
Not about expenses, mamma; please
don't"
YOU fear. Mother has had "a happy idea!
we're going TO have the joiliest times-you
see! Run quickly, Pm all impotence! and,
when once the details are settled, I'll tell
you and you shall share"
John appeared. My dear. l don't see
any use in discussing the yexed question; it
amounts to nothing.
"SiIencc, doubling ThomasP Sit down
by my desk aud look over my figures; but
first shorten up your countenance and put
on your specs.
The near-sighted husband complied.
"HieTOglyphicS."
No; higher arithmetic. Now, listen.
Thomas Callahan wants to rent the farm"
Yes, to pay three hundred dollars for
it-a mere nothing"
do you clear three hundred from it?"
"N-nO. / lose.
How much?"
al don't know"
"Very we'll. My plan is: Let the place
to Callahan, reserylng only the house, lawn,
garden and stable room Tor Gypsy Sell
the stock of tools, except the few required
for the garden. All along it has been the
square man ia the round hOle-no good fit!
To resume; you can care for the bit Of land
| reserved il would be better than porting
over books all the time"
The husband was interested and began to
listen deferentially.
you will save twenty-five dollars a
mOnth-Hiram'S wages"
And have twenty five more coming in.
| guess you're Oh the right track"
mot so fast. | want the rent money for
another purpose. l Will give up Bridget
and he my own servant"
"You can't"
II think can. l will put out the laundry
| work and have woman come occasionally
| to give thorough cleaning"
THAT would cost as much"
"In money paid as wages perhaps il
would; but We save the board of one hearty
person, the waste, the general wear and
tear"
"How about your clasp"
THAT would be given up; and, as that
means loss Of all my pocket money, |
should require my compensation. / want
the rental Of it.
Her listeners eyes blinked, supposedly;
but not at all abashed by his establishment
his wife went on: Now for my figures.
| You pay Bridget S14 month besides an ex-
! ira five at each housekeeping At how
much do you value her board aud Waste?"
Eat least as much more.'
Your own figures, then, are three hun
dred aud thirty-six with ten extra, forty
| six dollars year. In return for the salary
l ask L VIII assume all charge Of Ruth's and
| my personal expense, that is, clothing and
so on. The laundry work will cost about
seventy-fye dollars year, aud that is for
you to pay; but l will attend to the hire of
the woman who comes to assist me in the
| house. Out of your thOusand-doll income
this will leave you over nine hundred to
meet the expenses toward which You now
have less than five hundred, Wouldn't that
stop the leak ?''
g IL sounds we'll"
4" Don'I ne faithless want IN balr hut