The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-03-24
TheHeadof
The House
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

Susie said Tom Atherton in Sc
dous tone of voice, 1--WE been doing
job of thinking on our future"
why, Tom. what have you been
thinking abouty'
well, when we're married there's
got to be head to our partnership.
There's always head to every bust
ness firm"
DO tellt'
Now, what's marriage but a CO.
partnership? There1l be you and /,
and some day
you'll he manager, of course"
"What sensible girl you are! Do
you know what first attracted me to
you? 1t was your good sense You
catch on to anything so quick. Wen
be just as happy as two doves, won't
WEI"
And he drew her to him and gave
her couple of dozen prematrimonial
kisses. He is content with one now.
and sometimes when he's thinking on
other matters even that is perfume
tory.
Toms salary was not large, and the
couple had no income except what he
earned The husband had not been an
expert on economy, but the wife was
a good manager. I'm just turn over
to you" he said. my salary check
each week. and you do all the plan
ming. ! shall need very little for my
personal expenses. and | can take that
as / want it. That's the way they do
in business. One man attends to get
ting the business, another to doing it,
while third looks out for the
finances"
"The finance man of the company.
isn't he?"
"Well. yes. usually"
''In our case you make the, income
on which we live, and attend to its
expenditure. In other words, you are
head of the firm, and I'm the junior
partner"
"I suppose that's the way to look ut
it,"
So Tom turned over the checks each
Saturday night to his wife, and since
she was splendid manager, all went
very well. There were no outstand-
ing bills, nothing absolutely needfuI
that was not forthcoming, while a per
centage of each weeks salary was put
away regularly for emergencies. such
as doctors bills. and another amount
for a nest egg.
my dear" said the happy husband
"when ] run a big business I'll want
you for my financial manager. j could
make money in any enterprise with
you to handle the cash.
"And isn't it nice" replied the wife
that you can feel that you're the head
Of the house?'
"Pll admit" said Tom thoughtfully
that 1t is. No man likes to feel that
he must be obedient to woman"
1t was a few days after this remark
that Tom needed pair of gloves
Susie told him to go to her box, where
she kept the household moneys, and
get what he needed. There was moth
ing smaller than FIVE dollar bill. He
took 1t, expecting to return the change.
Unfortunately, during the day an old
chum that he hadn't seen for years
came in TO see him. Tom took him out
to lunch and when he went home re-
turned SO to the cash box instead of
ST. The result was that when Tom
gave his wife the marital kiss she
smelled beer, She said nothing, but
after he had deposited the balance of
the cash she went to the drawer and
found 1t dollar short.
'"rom," she said, "how much did yov
take from the box this mornlng?"
"a fiver. There was nothing SNAIL
er."
How much did your gloves cost?"
"a dollar"
THAT leaves S4 to so back. Have
you put 1t all in?"
"All, except a dollar"
What became of thatT
We'll, you see, Pete Hathaway came
to town today, and took him out to
lunch with me-"
The look on Mrs Athertons face
wns lowering, but she said nothing
There was n silent dinner between
them, after which Tom said:
Susie, wish you'd get that look
or your face. It's all because spent
dollar today-a miserable, single dol
lar-and that entertaining an old friend
l haven't seen for several years"
who authorized you to spend
dollar for such purpose?'
"Who authorized me? Am account
able to you for the money l spendY"
Il thought was to be the financial
member OF our firm"
$50 you are, so you are, but am l
not the head Of the concernT'
"of course you are! But that dol
lar you spent today l intended for an
other purpose"
What purposeT
Il had just enough with 1t to buy
our Sunday provisions. Now Wen
have to eat canned salmon for Sunday
dinner"
That was the beginning, new light
breaking In on Toms brain. His wife's