Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-04-01
TheHeadof
The House
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

| "Why, Tom. what have you been
thinking about?"
well. when we're married there's
got to be a head to our partnership.
There's always head to every bust
ness tlrm."
do tell!''
Now, what's marriage but a CO
partnership? There'l be you and l.
and some day
you'll be 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
wef'
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. IN 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 1t,
while a 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 1 attend TO its
expenditure In other words, you are
head of the firm, aud I'm the junior
partner"
II 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 needful
that was not Forthcoming. while 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 big business I'll want
you for my financial manager. / 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?'
"I'll admit" said Tom thoughtfully.
that it Is. No man likes to feel that
he must be obedient to a woman"
1t was few days after this remark
that Tom needed a 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
81. The result was that when Tom
j
smelled beer. She said nothing, but
after he had deposited the balance OF
the cash she went to the drawer and
found it dollar short.
Tom" she said. how much did you
take from the box this morning?o
"A fiyer There was nothing small
err"
How much did your gloves cost?"
"A dollar"
THAT leaves 81 to go back. Have
you put it all in?'
"All, except a dollar.'
what became of tbatT
well. you see. Pete Hathaway came
to town today. and took him out to
lunch with me-"
The look on Mrs Atherton's face
was lowering. but she said nothing.
There was silent dinner between
them, after which Tom said:
Susie wish you'd get that look
off your face. It's all because I spent
a 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 a
dollar for such purpose2"
who authorized meg Am account
able to you for the money spendY
II thought ! was to be the financial
member of our firm"
$50 you are. SO you are. but am
not the head Of the concern?'
"Of course you are! But that dol
lar you spent today intended for an
other purpose"
What purpose"
Il had just enough with it to buy
our Sunday provisions. Now we'll
have to eat canned salmon for Sunday
dinner"
That was the beginning. new light
breaking In on Toms brain His wife's
management OF their affairs was so
! excellent prOducQd ssuch hanof3cfol -