The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-15


ly, "you are off to the city, suppose"
"Yes, SIR" said Mr.. Darlington, Jr., a
tall, straight handsome young man,
with a brown complexion and spar
king eyes. "And before l go perhaps
you had better give me a check IL it's
convenient"
"a check?' said his father. For
whatF'
"Pm about out of ready cash." said
Dudley carelessly, "and little spend
ing money would come very handy for
current expenses"
"Ah! And what are you going to
buyY
Dudley looked at his father in
amazement.
81 need a summer suit, SIR" said he,
"nnd"-
"Yes, yes," nodded the old gentle
man. "And how much do you pay for
a summer suit now?''
"Oh, six or seven pounds" answered
Dudley.
"Six or seven pounds" echoed Mr..
harrington. "Isn't that rather vagueW
"a fellow never knows exactly" ex-
planned Dudley.
'Ah, but you ought to know" inter-
rupted the old gentleman. 'And now
l am on the subject, you buy your
clothes of Poole, don't you? Aren't
there cheaper placesY'
Dudley ignored the question and
said:
1--WE a little bill at the cigar shop to
settle, and there are some new books l
should like to read"
"Just send in the bills to me-" said
the old gentleman. "Pll pay them"
"The bootmaker, SIR"
you must try and not be too extrav-
agant with your boots. Young men
have so many fictitious wants nova
days. But, as said before, let all the
bills be sent to me. And as for spend
ing money, here is enough for the pres
ent."
He drew out half a sovereign and
handed it to his son. Dudley stared at
| it in amazement.
81 expected a check, sir" said he
| somewhat discounted.
did your
at isn't agreeable to be put on such
an allowance" went on Dudley sharp
ly. Pm not accustomed to it,
| mot agreeable, eh?' said his father
| comfortably adjusting his feet ON an
embroidered rest. ''Then why do yor
practice the system with your wife?"
81 give her all that she needs tt
spend" said Dudley, coloring up.
"And have given you all that yor
need"
81 am a man" said Dudley.
"And she is a womanr' retorted his
father.
81 am the manager Of your ware
house, and l claim my honest remu
am no beggar. There is not a penn!
that ask for that do not earn"
'1That is Millicent's case exactly,
said the wise old advocate. "She doel
the work of the house and does it well
She is an economist in every sense O
the word. Is it right that she SHOULD
receive merely her board and clothes
ance to spend as she pleases? Do no
think me a meddlesome old fogy, m,
son." he added, rising and placing hi
hand kindly on his sons shoulder
"But l have been observing all thes
things, and l merely wanted to Civ
you a personal application of this les
son in economy. You see how it hu
initiates one to have to beg humbly 70
the money that one has honestly earn
ed-to be called upon for an account o
every penny one wishes to spend
Don't put your wife into such a falls
position as this. Treat her as one o
the firm of Darlington & CO..
Dudley stood still a moment, ponder
ing, and then said, earnestly.
81 will, sir. You are right!'
And Milly was delighted that yer
day to receive a check for an ampl
sum Of money from her husband.
''Is it all for me?" she cried, wit
, glittering eyes.
Eyes; ALL" Dudley answered, laugf
: ing.
"But what am 1 to do with so muc
money!
| "Lock it up in your desk, DEAR" b
answered, "and spend it for your need
, as they occur"
t "But l never had so much before a
at one timer exclaimed the amaze
Milly.
mo, you never had, more shame
me-" acknowledged Dudley. But
have come to the conclusion, Mill,
r that you are no child to be given a fe
$ shillings at time. You are my hous
' keeper and deserve your regular sa
e ary. l shall give you f5 for your ow
r personal expenses at the beginning {
:, every month, and you shall use an
0 economize it as you choose. The hous
: hold expenses, of course, will be pa
o | out of the common stock"
"Oh, Dudley, 1 never felt so rich
my life!" said she. "Now l can DIRE
f like other women and give little mo
v ey to the church and help the poor al
feel independent! And l can lay by
o little, too, Dudley, every month! o
n you shall see what an excellent ma
ager l can be-"
h Dudley harrington looked at b
young wife, with a sharp prick of co
), science at his heart. Why had he new
made her so innocently happy befor
Simply because it had never occurr,
o to him.
n And Milly ran eagerly to her fathe
in-law.
Papa" she cried, 81 am to have
q a month all for my own self and new
4 to give an account of a penny of it Il
:, less l please! 1t is Dudley's own offt
Isn't he kind?"
= And Colonel Darlington smiled al
patted her head and answered with
touch of sarcasm: