158 Vindicates his Wife. [CHAP. Ix. 
“Well,” said Edward, “ you remember how I worked be- 
side you in the old garret in Shoe Lane; how I was never 
idle, and was always busy at something, whether I had shoe- 
making to do or not. Very well. I continued the same 
practice after I left you; and when I got a wife, instead of 
growing lazier, I became more ardent than ever. I squeezed 
the pith and substance out of every moment to make the 
most of it; and raxed and drew every farthing out like a 
piece of india-rubber, until I could neither rax nor draw it 
any more. I have thus endeavored to make the most and 
the best of every thing.” 
A new idea seemed to strike the man. ‘But did ye no 
get some bawbees wi’ yer wife?” 
“No,” said Edward, “not a bawbee. But, though poor 
in cash, she brought me a dowry worth more than all the 
money ever coined !” 
“Trash, man! trash! Fat could be better than siller till 
a puir man ?” 
“Well, I'll tell you. She brought me a remarkably sound 
and healthy body, strong bones, and a casket well filled 
with genuine common sense, or, rather, a mind far superior 
to that usually possessed by the majority of her sex. Now 
that’s what I call better than money. And I can tell you, 
also, that if young men were to look out for such wives, 
they would be able to lead their lives to much better pur- 
pose than they now do. Your tap-rooms, and dram-shops, 
and public-houses would then have fewer and far less eager 
customers. And, if I am not much mistaken, there would 
be many more happy homes and happy families, especially 
among the poor; instead of the miserable, heart-sickening, 
disease-engendering hovels, which are a curse and a stain 
upon our so-called civilization.” 
“Ye’ll be a temperance-man, then, are ye?” 
“Yes; I’m temperate enough. And if wives would look 
more to their husbands’ comfort, as well as to the interests 
of their own families, there would be far more temperance- 
