Year: 1870




''Not in the least. | have no doubt
it is very prudent and commendable,
but you know, Carrie, never was
gifted with much prudence.


al am quite aware of that" said his
wife, smiling.


This ended the conversation fer the
time.


The plan inaugurated by the young
wife was steadily carried out. She
was not one of those (of whom there
are SO many who enter upon new
plan zealously, but soon tire of it, In
the present case she was thoroughly
satisfied of the wisdom of her purpose,
and resolved to carry it through. Ev-
cry morning she called upon her hus-
band for dime, which was forthwith
added to the accumulation. Frequent
ly he had not the exact change but
would toss her quarter instead. She
would assure him laughingly that this
would answer her purpose equally as
well.


More than once Charles would BAN
ter her on the subject of her little saw
ings bank, but this she bore gaily. But
these were not the only aceessions the
fund received. Her husband had ear
ly arranged to make an ample allow
ance for dress-I say ample, though |
dare say some of my city readers would
not have considered it so; but Caro-
line, who was in the habit of making
up her own dresses-provided herself
with good wardrobe at a much less
expense than some not so well versed
in the science of managing could have
done.


After considerable calculation she
came 10 the conclusion that out of her
allowance she shoald be able to make
daily deposit equal to that which she
exacted of her husband. Of this, how
ever, she thought it best, on the whole,
not to inform Charles, enjoying in the
anticipation, the prospect of being able,
at some time, TO surprise him with the
unexpected amount of her savings.


At the close of every month the tin
box was emptied, and the contents
transferred to savings bank of more
pretensions, where interest would be al
lowed. When sums deposited here be-
came large enough, Mrs. Lynford,
who had considerable business capacity,
withdrew them and invested in bank
and other stocks, which brought a
large per cent. Of her mode ofman-
agement her husband remained in COM
plete ignorance. Nor did he ever ex-
press any desire to be made acquainted
with his wife's management. He was
an easy, careless fellow, spending as he
went, enjoying the present, and feeling
no particular concern about the future.


At the end of eight years, during
which he had been unusually favored
by prosperity in business and uninter-
rupted health, his books showed that
he had not exceeded his income, but
that on the other hand he had saved
aboolately nothing Twenty-Five cents
stood alone to his credit.


Running pretty close, isn't it Car
rie?" he said laughingly. 81 take
credit to myself for keeping on the
right side of the line. But then sup
pose you have saved up an immense
sum-"


"How much do you Think" asked
his wife.


80, perhaps a hundred dollars, F"
said Charles Lynford, carelessly,
though it would take good many
dimes to do that"


His wife smiled, but did not volun-
teer to enlighten him as to the correct
ness of his conjecture.


So things went on till at length came
the panic of 1857-a panic so recent
that it will be remembered by many
readers of this sketch. 1t will be re-
membered how universally trade and
business of every kind were depressed
at that period-among others the trade
that employed Charles Lynford suffer
ed greatly.


One evening he came home looking
quite serious--an expression which
seldom came over his cheerful face.


Caroline, who had watched the signs
of the times, was not unprepared to see
this. She had expected that her hus-
bands business would be affected.


"What is the matter, Charles?" she
asked cheerfully.


"The matter is, we shall have to
economize greatly"


Anything unfavorable turned up in
business matters?"


81 should think there had. l shall
have but half days work for some
time 10 come, and I'm afraid that even
this will fail before long. You havn't
any idea Carrie, how dull business of
every kind has become"
81 think l have" said his wife quiet
ly. 81 have read the papers carefully
and have been looking out for some
thing of this kind"


"Do you think We can reduce our
expenses one-half9" asked the husband
doubtfulty.


81 think we shall be able to do so.
Both of US are well supplied with clo-
thing, and shall not need any more for
a year, at least. That will cut off con-
siderable expense; then there are a
great many little superfuities, you are
accustomed to buy-little things you
are kind enough to brink home to me;
frequently, which can do very well
without. Then we can live more PLAIN
ly-haye less pies and cakes, and l
have no doubt it viii be an improve
meut so far as health is concerned


"What calculator you are, Car
riel'' said her husband feeling con-
siderably easier in mind. 81 really
think after all you have said, that 1t
won't be SO hard to live on half our
usual income--for the present at least.
But" and his countenance again
changed. suppose my work should en-