The Forrest City times., 1893-03-31
THE FAMILY FINANCES.
How MT. and Mrs. Abel Gut Down
 Expenses.

to spend any money foolishly this year. This list is positively Giscourag- ing." Mir. Abel stirred restlessly in his creally rattan rocker, turned his paper and became still further ab- sorbed in its contents. His wife threw her account book on the table, with bang. Well, if we two can't pull to- gether there's no use trying to sace.' Keeping his finger on the line he was quietly reading, Mir. Abel turned and boldly faced his persistent helpmeet.
 Pull togethern he echoed. You can't charge ms with any unnecessary of my salary who dresses so plainly, hires so few liveries, spends so little on knickknacks, neither smokes, chews, drinks nor gambles. does his own shaving even, and seldom uses the street cars, in spite of the two mile walk to the factory" He re- stunned his reading, having, to his mind, disposed of the unjust imputation.
 Let me read q few items." Mrs. Abel opened her book Microscopy one dollar
 "Oh of course, that microscope-I bought 1t at Cole X Merriman's, Chica go. thought it would be valuable article to have in the house," with su- perior air
 But how did you happen to feel the need of q microscope?" queried his wife. You care nothing for botany nor zoology"
 Well, you sec" slowly the vender had shown the horrible animalcule crawling on prune, and you are so fond of them, and try so hard 10 make -
 That is sufficient" laughed his wife. II must remind you you've seen noth- ing through the glass yet, and so l am still unconvinced as to the worthless ness of the fruit"
 1.-Two tickets to the engineers ball and you knew you wouldn't attend two dollars" (''Your friend, Mrs. Barr, came to my office, explained Mir. Abel in a foot note.) National -, one year. one dollar; good for nothing but waste paper.
 That's so, Celia, but the agent was an old friend from away back in Bed ford, and 1 couldn't refuse him." Mir. Abel ended with sigh of reminis- cence.
 His wife mercilessly continued: "Tag for umbrella marked J. II. A., fifty cents"
 J. II. Abel threw his paper on the floor and stood up. Where is that?" he demanded, resignedly.
 Ut needs two tiny Jacks to make it of use. I believe it is on the clock shelf"
 Money to Hugh Harris, five dol lars"
 "Pshaw! that i'm mpostor! It puts me out of all patience. He walked the floor with deepening frowns, then be- gan vigorous poking at the fire. "You see," he continued apologetically, Harris mother died, then his wife and baby were sick a long time-they live with the old folds-and he got be- hind with his bills. Then the old grandmother was taken to the asylum, his father lost his place, and, to crown all, Hugh cut his finger, or rather he lost one finger on our planer. So he came mp to the factory with his woeful story, and the boys made up purse of thirty-five dollars And the worst of it is. Harris and his wife left at once for visit to rela- tives in Albany. They were seen later by Jocelyn, in Rochester at a theater, and taking long drives ab out the city, and say. l forgot to tell you, I lost a silver dollar. Put it in your list, because you forgot to mend that hole in my vest pocket
 It was Mrs. Abel's turn to look sur prised. What hole? You didn't tell me of any rent to mend"