The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-02

| WORK, OIL course, Sne cOulQ IN mousse
wifery, but not to earn money. That
prerogative belongs to the husband,
he thought. And he regarded him
self as quite fair provider. Of
course, his salary was not large
enough to warrant much indulgence
in luxuries, but it was sufficient for
all necessary wants He had no idea
how his wife was compelled to econ
omize, to make little go great way,
to hide scantiness of material under
the skill of cookery, or how she de-
prived herself of many things which
would have added greatly to her COM
fort; and hence he felt somewhat
hurt that his wife should reflect upon
his ability to provide by limiting that
he needed her assistance.
Mrs. Smith saw the state of his
feelings, and sought to heal any
wound her proposition had made, by
saying: Certainly, John, shall at
tempt nothing of the kind unless you
heartily approve of it. only thought
this: am strong and healthy, and
could help you carry the burden of
support-if you think it wise. That S
ALL"
you're very kind" replied John,
somewhat Modified, "but l don't
think it wise. Besides, there is no
need of it. If the time ever comes
when | need your help in this way, l
will accept it as willingly as you offer
it."
Thanks, dear. I will keep that
promise in mind" and her hand
quietly slipped into his hand, their
lips met, and sharp, short, loving,
caressing report foated out upon the
air.
Mrs. Smith was no more satisfied
with the state of home finances than
before. All this talk did not enlarge
the contents of the home purse. But
what could she do? To push her own
ideas against the opinion of her hus-
band would not be productive of do
nestle felicity. She could wait and
abide the coming of events.
In the meantime, matters in the
Smith household did not improve.
Mr. Smiths wages did not increase.
The expenses of the family did in
crease. A young Smith appeared on
the scene, and must be provided for.
Debts began to accumulate. The
outlook was decidedly discouraging.
Mrs. Smith resolved to renew her
suggestion of supplementing their
resources by utilizing her spare hours
in dressmaking.
"Spare hours!" repeated John. 81
should like to know where the spare
hours come in between caring for the
housework and the baby?"
"Oh, l find a few when baby is
asleep"
"Then you ought to be asleep too"
"We must take things as they are.
and not as we would like them to
be-"
That's true"
"Now, John, we're running behind
hand, Notwithstanding try to econo-
mize in every way possible, and I see
no way out but that of my resuming
my trade. l cannot earn much, but
every little will help"
you're a jewell" said John, "but
there is no need of your making a
slave of yourself. For once we have
struck luck; that is, Aunt Lucy, who
died recently, left me two thousand
dollars, which l am to receive in
few days; at least, so her attorney
has witten me. When it comes /
will set up in business formyself, and
that will end all our troubles"
OF course Mrs. Smith was pleased
at the announcement of this good
fortune, but she was not certain
about the business project. By close
observation of Johns business calcu-
lations, she had come to the conclu-
sion that he was not always consid-
crate of his ability to pay before pur-
chasing. and she considered this a
very serious defect in business man.
Hence she questioned the wisdom of
his starting out into business for
himself, and thought it safer to put
their little inheritance at interest,
and seek to increase it by their united
earnings. She so stated the case to
her husband, and was laughed at for
her lack of business knowledge, and
assured that the way to increase
money is to invest it in profitable
business enterprise.
mo, no, my DEAR" said Mr.. Smith,
"the way to raise brood of chickens
is to put the eggs through the pro-
cess of incubation"
That is true" replied Mrs. Smith,
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