The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-01-16
HIS LESSON.

John Smith-a very common name
was well educated, of fine personal APP
pearance. pleasing in manners. willing
10 work, but lacking in the faculty Of
getting on in the world. He was handy
at any ordinary kind of business, well
liked by his employers. and, judged by
outward appearances, ought to have
succeeded in almost any business enter
prises; but success Guided him, for rea-
sons which neither he nor his friends
could fathom. Leaving the high school
with a medal for scholarship and the
reputation Of standing in the first rank
among his classmates. he entered upon
clerkship in a grocery store, threw
himself willingly and cheerfuily into
the work in hand, won the appreciation
Of his employer. was soon promoted
with higher wages: then thought him
self in acondition to get married, court
ed and won an estimable young lady,
and set up housekeeping. All his friends
and acquaintance approved, and his
outlook for the future vas in every
respect promising.
AlE XII ilt maj Aifi v d q iitf u
and sensible young woman, with no
stilted ideas OF social life. no high-fying
notions Ia her head. no disposition to
hide limited peeuniary means under
unwarranted display; content 10 APP
pear as she really was, By living as their
income would justify. She began house
keeping accordinglyi was economical.
Il L..
found ii difficult to make her husbands
salary cover all their necessary ex-
penses. What could she do to remedy
this? She had no thought of laying
heavier burdens of toll upon her hus-
band. but rather to find il there was
not some way in which she could as
sist him in providing for the home ex-
penses. Married life is a matter of
mutual obligation, and. TO her. it
seemed not only right but BETTING that
she should bear a part Of the burdens.
True, she did the work of housekeeping.
but considerable leisure was left her.
Why not use this for earning money?
Before her marriage she had learned
dressmaking; in fact, had gained fair
reputation for skill and taste in fitting
and making dresses; why not utilize
this now? She would speak to John
about IL; and she did.
John heard her suggestion with OPEN
eyed establishment. What his wife
take in work TO help support the family!
What would folks think aboutit? Nay,
what would folks say about 1t? Ger
tainly il would lower their social stand
ing; it would be derogatory to his abil-
ity as n man; II was not to be seriously
eonsidered-no for a moment; he did
not marry a wife to make drudge Of
her; he would provide for the home,
and, after a little. through increase of
wages or by striking out into business
for himself he would I've enabled to
provide hountifully. All this and more
went trooplng through his thoughts,
aud he said; mo, no, don't think Of
such thing It's entirely out Of the
question. I'll supply the money, and
you may spend it, It's enough for you
10 care for the home work"
John Smith had peculiar ideas as to
the sphere Of wifehood. lie thought
her place was in the home exclusively,
looking after household cares. Work,
OF course, she could in housewiery, but
not TO earn money. That prerogative
belongs to the husband, he thought.
And he regarded himself as quite a fair
proyider. OF course, his salary was not
large enough to warrant much induly-
cnce in luNuries, but it was sufficient for
all necessary wants. lie had no idea
how his wife was compelled to econo-
mize, TO make little go great way, to
hide scantiness of material under the
skill Of cookery. or how she deprived
herself OF many things which would
have added greatly to her comfort; and
hence he felt somewhat hurt that his
wife should reflect upon his ability to
provide by limiting that he needed her as
sistunce
Mrs. Smith saw the state Of his feel.
inRs, and sought to heal any wound her
proposition had made, by saying; Ger
taiuly, John, shall attempt 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 II
wise That's ALL"
"You'rc very kind" replied John,
somewhat Modified, but don't thinli
It wise. Besides, there is no need Of it
If the time ever comes when | need
your help in this way, l viii accept il
as willingly as you offer IT,"
Thanks. dear. I viii keep thai
promise in mind. /" aud her hand quietly
Slipped into his hand. their lips met
and a sharp, short, loving earessing re
port hoated 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 con
tents OF the home purse. Bat VIVA
could she do? To push her own idea,
against the opinion Of her HUSBAND
wsuld not be productive OF domesti,
felicity. She could wait, and abide tn,
coming of events.
In the meantime, matters in IN,
Smith household did not improve. Mr.
Smiths wages did not increase. Th,
expenses of the family did Increase
A young Smith appeared on the scene
and must be provided for Debts be
gan TO accumulate. The outlook wa,
decidedly discouraging. Mrs. Smith re
solved to renew her suggestion Of sup
plemcnting their resources by utilizing
her spare hours in dressmaking.
Spare hoursiT repeated John. -
should like 70 4sge where the spar,