The record-union., 1899-08-23
| CHARMING FINANCIER.

It's various morals in detail would be
TO reflect upon the intelligence OF the
reader
This young couple live in pretty cot
tage that has trailing vines on tho
porch, faces one of Detroit's streets
that is paved with asphalt and enjoys
the protecting shade of a maple tree that
is esteemed one of the most valuable
of their possessions. This snug nest
came to them as a wedding present, but
even with so fine a start they not in
frequently find that his modest salary
is not equal to meeting the monthly
bills. When they were whole S20
worse off than nothing at the end OF
April the little wife did some serious
thinking, and the conclusions reached
appear in this conversation with her
husband:
Charley dear, you're going more
than your share You go to work every
day, you always lose time and sleep
when your books won't balance, and
that seems often. You must read the
papers SO as to keep posted, you look
after the garden, and you do all the
marketing. It's entirely too much.''
"Pshaw 1 could do twice as much il
there were any money in it,"
You think so. but don't. Now I'm
not a financier, Charley, but I'm smart
enough to know that when we're spend
ing more than we're making we're run
ming behind. Is there any flaw in my
mathematics"
Not a flaw, little one''
Il thought not" with an air of grow
ing Importance. Il guess I have some
common sense. Now deary, I'm going
to take charge of all business connected
with the house. I'm right here on the
ground I have time to make all the
bargains, and I'll see that we get the
worth of dollar for every dollar we
pay out, and that no money is ex-
pended foolishly or through bad man
agement. Is that sound talk, Charley?"
The Controller of the Treasury
couldn't be sounder.'
Il don't see how he could Well,
I'll take hold at once and my system
won't be in operation long till we'n be
putting some rainy-day material in the
savings bank. But don't be Offering
suggestions and asking questions,
Charley. That'n only fluster me ana
and you'll have just as much worry as
you have now. We can have a grand
council Of war at the end of the month,
If you want, but meantime you must
exercise blind faith
One of the first moves under the new
management was to get the house
painted. This was a necessary i'm
proyement, and while the wife did not
advertise for sealed proposals, she
aimed at the same end by seeing all
the painters she could find. stirring up
all the competition she could and finally
letting the contract at a reasonable fig
ure. In the language of the world, she
Jollied the foreman on the job giving
him coffee with his cold lunch, asking
him about his children and occasionally
handing him one of Charleys cigars.
After this insidious approach to his
favor she asked him if he couldn't
while there, just touch up her dining
room chairs a little. 1t wouldn't taks
any time, and he had the paint right
with him. Certainly he could; was glad
to accommodate her. and the chairs re-
ceived two coats
Then she thought of the bathroom,
where the paint on the tub and wains-
coting was turning yellow. Couldn't he
just brighten that a little? Neither
material nor work would amount to
anything, as both were right on the
premises. Again he was willing, and
showed his interest by suggesting that
the inside Of the tub be enameled. That
would be splendid, she assured him, en-
Enthusiastically; and the enamel went on.
1t was so easy that she extended her
diplomacy to having the spare bed
chamber all done in white and the side
board vanished. She was delighted.
and only laughed heartily at Charley's
surprised look of inquiry.
Her next deal was for some tin spout
Ing that was to be placed for $S In
seeking the lowest bidder for this work
she had discovered that galvanized iron
was much better, but would cost a good
deal more. When the workman came
she soon had him talked into a good
humor while he was putting away at
one of Charley's best cigars as though
it were a pipe. This was the propitious
moment for her scheming.
I don't believe 1 like that tin as we'll
as the galvanized iron. Wouldn't you
just as leave put up the iron?''
Sure, lady sure. Whatever you
want. And it's far better. I'll drive
right back to the shop and make the
change"
Then she hurried into the. house, lit
orally chuckling and metaphorically
hugging herself. In her desire to cele-
brate her business triumphs she or
dered a pair of broilers for dinner, add
ing orders for two kinds of cake and
ice cream.
Needing some shelves in the buttery
she made an ironclad contract with a
carpenter put him under the influence
of coffee and cigars. and induced him
Just while he was there, to put a long
swinging shelf in the cellar and mend
q couple of screens" While so shrewd-
ly managing these extra causes of ex-
pense she was frequently paying street
car fares both ways so as to get a cent
q pound off on beef or a corresponding
reduction on vegetables. She was up
early and schemed all day She re-
tired early, but her busy little brain
plotted far into the night.
But when the monthly bills came in!
She was studying them as Charley ap-
peared at the usual breakfast hour. She
grew white when she read the carpen-
ter's statement. She groaned when she
saw that the timers claim summed up
S1440 instead of SS, as under the orig
inal contract. But when she saw the
painters bin she simply collapsed and
fell over in a swoon. Charley was SO
agitated that he used an immense over
dose of water in reviving her but
deluge would not have turned the cur
rent of her thoughts.
We're robbed, Charleyi" she exclaim-
ed Historically. Wen pay Just what
] bargained for and no more It's the