Year: 1871

Ezra Newton had Just finished looking
over his yearly accounts. "Well" asked
his wife, looking up. ''how do you come
out ?''


Il find said her husband, that my
expenses during the past year have been
thirty-seven cents over thousand dollars -


Yes. | managed pretty well. didn't I p


DO you think it managed well to exceed
your income p said the wife.


What's thirty y,seven cents?" asked Mr..
Newton, lightly.


mot much, to be sure. but still some
thing. 1t seems to me we ought to have
saved. instead of falling behind


But how can we save on this salary,
Elizabeth? We haven't lived extravagant,
ly. Stillit seems to have taken it all. "


Perhaps there is something in which we
might retrench, Suppose you mention
some of your items"


The most important are house rent, one
hundred and fifty dollars, and articles of
food, FIVE hundred dollars


Just half


Yes, ard you Il admit that we can't re
trench there. Elizabeth. like to live well
/ had enough Of poor board before | mar
ried. No mean to live as well as can.


Still we ought to be saving up something
against rainy day, Ezra. "


That would be something ike carrying
an umbrella when the sun shines"


Still it Is well TO have an umbrella in the
house


Il can't contradict your logic, Elizabeth,
but / m afraid we shan't he able to save
anything this year. When l get my salary
raised, it will be time enough to think OF
that"


Let me make proposition to you,
said Mrs. Newton. You say one half of
your income has been expended on articles
of food. Are you willing to allow me that
sum for that purpose p


You guarantee to pay all bills out of
it?''


Yes"


Then | will shift the responsibility upon
you with pleasure. But L can tell you be-
forehand you won be able to save much
out OF it


Perhaps not At any rate 1 will engage
not to exceed it. ~


That's we'll I shouldn't relish having
any additional bills to pay. As I arn paid
every month, will at each payment hand
you half the money"


The different characters of husband and
wife may be judged from the conversation
which has been recorded. Mr.. Newton had
but little prudence or foresight He lived
chiefly for the present, and seemed to fancy
that whatever cOalin gencies might arise in
the future. he would somehow be provided
for. Now trust in Providence is a proper
feeling, but there is good deal of truth IN
the old adage that God will help those who
help themselves.


Mrs. Newton, on the contrary, had been
brought up in a, family which was compelled
to be economical, and although she was not
disposed to deny herself comforts yet she
felt that it was desirable to procure them at
a fair price.


The time that this conversation took place
was at the commencement of the second
year Of their married life.


The first step which Mrs. Newton took,
on accepting the charge Of the household
expenses, was to institute the practice OF
paying cash for all articles that came under
her department. She accordingly called on
the butcher aud inquired:


How often have you been in the habit
of presenting your bills, Mr.. Willams?"


Once in six months, was the reply.


And | suppose you have sometimes bad
bills ?"


Yes, one third of my profits on an av-
erage, are swept off by them -


And you could afford, | suppose, to sell
somewhat cheaper for ready money p


Yes, and | would be glad If all my Gus
toners would give me chance to do so


Il Will set them an example them said
Mrs. Newton. Hereafter whatever articles
shall be purchased of you will be paid for
on the spot, and We shall expect you to sell
as reasonable as you can.


This arrangement was also made with the
Others, who it is scarcely needful to say were
very glsd to enter into the arrangement.