Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1878 — GOING INTO PARTNERSHIP. [ARTICLE]

GOING INTO PARTNERSHIP.

Mrs. Nottingham, being unable to get the means from her husband to supply her necessities, at last informed him that she should resume her profession of teaching, so as to be as indc- ' pendent as she was before she was married. “ You’re not in earnest, my dear?” said Mr. Nottingham. “Of course I’m in earnest. Why not? Do you suppose I intend to go this way, begging and praying for every farthing 1 spend? I’ve been independent once, and I can be so again.” “No; but look here!” Mr. Notting.ham had risen, and was pacing up and down rather “Mywife can’t go to teaching. What is it that you want?” “ What I canearn!” proudly retorted Mrs. Nottingham. “But put it into words.” “Well, then, look here,” said Mrs. Nottingham; “I have always done my own work and sewing. Considered as a cook, I demand three pounds a month; as a seamstress, one pound; as your wife and the mother of your children, at least ten pounds more. And then I shall not consider myself properly compensated,” “Whew-w-w! Let me see—it’s nearly £2O ’a month!” “I consider my services as worth that, at least,” said Mrs. Nottingham, with dignity; “ but if you would rather hire a housekeeper, I will prosecute my original idea of opening a select school.” Mr. Nottingham walked up and down the room once more, rumpling his hair into porcupine fashion with his fingers. “I’ll consult Uncle Wetherbeo, ho said. “Very well,” sipd Mrs. Nottingham, “ I’m quite willing to abide by his decision.” Uncle Wetherbeo, a bronze-visaged ex-sailor, who was comfortably smoking his meerschaum up-stairs, was summoned at once. He came down—rather slowly, on account of a wooden leg—and listened to the pleading on either side with the utmost gravity. “ D’ye want to know my opinion?” said Uncle Wetherbeo, when they both had finished. “Certainly,” said Mr. Nottingham. “Of course,” said his wife. “Then look hero,” said Uncle Wetherbec. “ Matrimony’s a copartnership of joys and sorrows, and it ought to bo of money as well. My advice is, Nephew Nicholas, that you divide evon with your wife.” “Divide —even!” blankly repeated Mr, N ottingham, “Or, better still,” went on Undo Wetherbee, “ take one-third of the money yourself, lay aside onc-tliird for household purposes, and give the other third to Phtebe.” “ Yes, but uncle ” “ You asked my advice,” said Uncle Wetherbee. “Thereit is. Audi have nothing more to say.” And off he stumped up-stairs again. Mr. Nottingham looked at bis wife. His wife looked back again at him. “ Well,” said Phoebe. ' “ I will try it,” said Mr. Nottingham. “ It seems a wild idea, but Uncle Wetherbee is a remarkably sensible man. Yes, I’ll try it.” And for the next three years Mr. Nottingham remained in partnership with his wife on these unusual financial conditions. “Though for the life of me, I can’t see what you do with all your money,” said he to his wife. “ The very idea that has often suggested itself to me in regard to your money,” retorted Mrs. Nottingham, laughingly. ■ r ■ “ I had intended to buy a house for you, if it hadn’t been for this unexpected appropriation of my funds,” said

“lean wait, dear,” said his wife, serenely. “All in good time.” * But ono afternoon Mr. Nottingham came home early from business and rushed up to Uncle Wetherbeo’s room. “My dear uncle,” said he, “that houso of Falkirk's is in the market at -forced sale. Such a bargain! Only £600!” “ Why don't you Wiy it, then?” said Mr. Wetherbee, .scooping fresh tobacco ■out of his jar. •*-- “ Because I’ve only been able to lay tip four hundred out of that dcueedly small allowance of mine,” said Mr. Nottingham. “Ever sinee I divided with Phoebe, according to your suggestion ” “Yes,” nodded Uncle Wetherbee, “ according to my suggestion ” “I’ve been a comparatively poor man,” sighed Mr. Nottingham. “Ono can't lay up anything on such "a pittance as that.” “ Perhaps your wife thinks so, too," chuckled Uncle Wetherbee. “Oh, that's altogether a different matter,” said Mr. Nottingham. “I’ve been thinking I ought to reconsider that affair.” Uncle Wetherbee stared intently at his wooden leg, and said nothing. “But,” added Mr. Nottingham, “ about the Falkirk place? It’s a little gem of a house, and I've always wanted a house of my own. This rentpaying business don’t altogether suit me. And , 1 could give a mortgage for the £2OO if you would allow me to use your name as seourity.” “ Oh, certainly, certainly!” said Uncle Wetherbee, “ use it as much as vou like.” And Mr. Nottingham went off rejoicing. Bat Wiggs & Sangster, the agents in charge of the Falkirk place, were exultant when he arrived. “ Four hundred pounds and a mortSge for the balance is very well,” said r. Sangster, “ but they had had

another offer this morning—of oaah down! And they had considered it their duty to Mr. Falkirk to close with it. Very sorry—but perhaps they might suit Mr. Nottingham with some other pie<9 of property.” Mr. Nottingham went home sadly dispirited. " What’s the use of trying* to save money?” said he. “ I’m going to give up after this!” “ I don’t agree with you there, dear,” said Mrs. Nottingham. “I’ve been saving money for tno last throe years, and Pve found it pays.” “You havoP” said her husband. “Of course I have. Do you suppose I spent all the money? Not a bit of it. I put the best part of it out at interest, always following Uncle Wetherbee’s advice in my investments, and I’ve bought a house with it!” “What houseP” Mr. Nottingham’s eyes opened wider and wider.

“The Falkirk house,” said Mrs. Nottingham, her lips and choeks dimpled all over with satisfaction. “I completed the bargain to-day. My dear”—stealing one arm around her husband’s neck —** how do you think I have held up my end of the business partnership r” “ Better than I could have done myself, Phoebe,” said Mr. Nottingham, with a curious moisture coming into his eyes. “My plucky little wife, lam proud of you!” “ It was your money, Nicholas,” said the wife, in a faltering voice. “ But it was your prudence and economy that stored it up, Phoebe.” “Then you don’t regret the terms and articles of our partnership?” So the young couple moved into the Falkirk house when tho first of May eame around, and the coziest room in the house, with a south window and an open fireplace for a wooden fire, was reserved for Uncle Wetherbee. And Mr. Nottingham is never tired of telling his friends his wife bought the place with her share of the partnership profits. “ The most charming woman in the world,” says Mr. Nottingham.