Year: 1876

think you ought to be thankful when
you see how some wives live.


"Well' said l, II think I have
been domestic, prudent wife, and
don't feel one atom more Of gratitude
to you than you ought to feel to me
for being a decent wife. Is it any
more merit that you keep your mar
riage promises than that l keep mine?'


Sarah, you are positively very
acrimonious to night. Don't you think
we had better go to bed ?"


"No, sir. Well, meantime we have
laid by money to buy this house, and
still have some in the bank


"Thanks to my hard work +
chimed in John.


More thanks said I, TO the
perfect good health we have always
had. We made all these promises for
better or for worse. Now it has been
better for US all the time. Had you
been sick or honest misfortune befal-
len you, l should have managed some
way to reduce our expenses SO that
you might feel the burden as little as
might be. Had | been sick, more
care would have fallen on you. But
we helped each other save, and now |
claim an equal right with you in
spending money


Whew Why, that is treason.
But 60 on.


"If we occupied the respective po-
sitions Of superior and subordinate, |
should do what do for you for fixed
stipend, and no questions shr uld be
asked as to the use made Of it. Being
equals, will not ask compensation
as a servant but because the con-
tract we have made is lifelong, and
not easily broken, | do not therefore
call it very magnanlmous IN pros
porous man to accept these services
and render in return only my board
and the least amount that will credit
ABLY clothe me.


You see was growing irate. John S
temper, too, was evidently on the
rise.


What do you mean by services
House wife? | am sure home is as
much for your satisfaction as for
mine; and am sure the tailor does
not leave much of my sewing for you
to do"


u don't complain Of house work nor
of doing your sewing; but do think
the burden of little Johnny has fallen
on me.


{" 1t strikes me" said he, with a
provoking complacency of tone, "that
if you earned his living, you would
have less to say about the burden
falling on you"


John" said I, answer me hon
estly. Do you work any harder OF
any longer now than you did when be
was born p


Il don't know as | do, said he
Il always worked hard enough"


Well, and so do |. But now as
to Johnny. presume you will allow
yourself half owner of him, as the
law allows you entire control of him
How much do you do for him."


Il maintain him. l do my part.


"No, John, you are wrong; you
kon't do your part. From the first
you never have. DID not weary
months SO by in which you bore nc
part whatever of the burden p


Well, that is curious complaining
what would you have me to do ?"


You might have got servant, in.
stead Of letting all the house work
fall on me or you might have kept a
horse so that | could ride out and en-.
Joy the fine weather; but that is all
past now


I should say that it cost me enough
for the doctor, nurse, etc, without
talking about keeping a horse"


"True, it cost enough but | ain
talking about the division of the bur.
den. Was the part you bore in the
payment Of these bills equal to my
part in the matter :? Would you have
taken my place for that money if it
were to have been paid you instead Of
those who cared for you? I think
not.


l.