Year: 1875

and better in many ways If she is allowed to
feel herself partner in the family fortunes,
instead of a mere pensioner upon the hus-
bands or fathers bounty, even though he may
deal out the money with lavish hand. And
toward making that money, as is generally the
case among farmers, it would seem but simple
Justice that each should have stated yearly
share of the incOme."


'tWelI, it strikes me that we men are
about played out, and the sooner we
take ourselves out of the world the bet
ter" remarked John, dOlefully.


"Oh, no! we can't possibly spare you
YETI laughingly replied the wife, at the
same time going on with her reading.


After season of profound meditation,
John breaks the silence by saying:


81 can't see why you should be so
stirred up on this subject, for Pm sure
I've always given you all the money
you've asked for"


"And so, indeed, you have, and it's
because you've always been so good and
reasonable in that respect that I've
never said before what I've often
thought, that would rather have a GER
tain share-as the butter or egg money,
for instanee-whieh can call my own
from year to year, than a much larger
sum that I must ask for every time I
want few dollars. I don't think you
men ever realize how women hate to
ask for money, even when they know it
will be cheerfully given. And then all
men are not as kind as you are. There's
sister Mary's husband, who can never
give her cent without growl, though
she's worked as hard as he to make and
save. l know she'd rather face can
non any time than to ask him for
money, rich as he is. I declare it
makes my blood boil sometimes when
1 think of it; Pm almost ready to take
the stump for woman's rights"


go ahead, go ahead" said John,
laughing, Ppm sure you can speechify
with the best of 'em. Well have par
son Brown give out an appointment for
you next Sunday-subject: Wcman's
right to butter and eggs"


"Then there's another thing I've
been wanting to speak to you about for
some time," continued Minerva, who
was thoroughly in earnest, and meant
to have her say out. "Walter told me
while ago that he wished father would
let him work out this summer and have
his own earnings. l don't think the
boy really wants to leave home, but
only to feel that he has something he
can call his own. You know you often
say that he's worth more to you than
any man on the farm, he's so steady


and faithful. Now, why not pay him


the same wages you do the other men?


And there's Joe, who always says he


won't be farmer, because farmers have


to work so hard and have such dull


times. think if we could get him in


terested in something about the place
he'd feel differently. He and Mary
might share the egg money between


them. We could require them to keep


a strict account of expenses and sales,


and so they would be learning business


habits and the true value of money OF


course they would make some mistakes


at first, and perhaps spend few dollars
fOOlishly; but when they find out that
an old dress or coat must be worn q lit
tie longer because of their folly, they'll


soon learn wisdom. l really believe


Joe would become real enthusiast in
the business with a little encourage


ment, for he already knows every breed


of fowls for five miles around, and such


an enthusiasm would be worth great


deal in keeping him out of mischief"


"Well, l don't know but you're right


about that; Pm sure pll go for any plan


thatll keep him from raising Ned gen


orally, as he does most of the time"


said the father.


"pve often thought" resumed the


wonderful woman, "that this way of


never letting children have any money


but what they can get by hook or by
crook is almost sure to result in making


them either spendthrifts or misers.


There's Jim Stivers, whose father would


never let him have a cent except what


he could earn by working occasionally


a day for a neighbor. He has his


board and clothes, and that's all ever
} had at his age, and when Pm gone he'll
! have it all, the old man said; now see


how that fine property is being squan-


dered. Then there are the Dexters.
: How the old Squire used to rake and
! scrape year after year, keeping the boys
and girls hard at work, with never q
book or newspaper in the house, and
now his children are quarreling like
cats and dogs over the sixty thousand
dollars he left them. Somehow 7 never
can bear the thought that our children
: may begin to calculate how much
they'll have when we're gone, and you
may be sure they will unless we make
them feel that they have present as
, well as a prospective interest in the
property"


: "Really, wife, you're making out a
pretty strong case; don't see but pll
( have to turn the concern into partner
n ship affair.""


"Well, I've only one more point to
e make and Pm through. Anna and I
Y might have the butter money; perhaps
it would not always be quite as much as
) we get now in the course of the year,
8 but whatever it is we'll promise to be
| satisfied, and I know we can plan to
. much better advantage, and make the
{ money go a great deal farther, if we
know exactly what we have to depend
a upon"


: Just at that moment the clock, strik.
e ing ten, put an end to the weighty con.
o ference.


''I really believe I'd have some little
It chance in the world if it wasn't for al


these new-fangled notions" was Johns
u last remark that night.


It "Y-e-s," drowsily replied Minerva
= who was so far on her way to dream.
g land as to be nearly oblivious of al
g earthly interests.


+ The new plan was discussed in family
|, conclave at the breakfast table the mex
5, morning, and having received the un
IS qualified approval of all, was adopted al
If the rule for the coming year.
IS "Hurrah for the firm of Thompson
It Co. n' shouted Joe, as he proceeded t.
u dance a breakdown on the kitchen floor
e "Raw Tomton toep piped up baby
l. George, who always made it a point K
= initiate brother Joe to the extent of hi