The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-11-08
From The National Magazine.
ISIT ECONOMY!
EYr. 5. ARTHUR.

EY 7. s. ARTHUR.
We have been married five years and
during the time had boarded for economy =
sake. But the addition Of one after anoth-
er to our family, admonished US that it was
getting time to enlarge our borders; and &c
we were determined to 60 to housekeeping
In matters Of domestic economy, both my
wife and myself were little green but
think | was the greenest Of the two.
TO get house was our first concern,
| and 10 select furniture our next. The house
was found after two months dilgent search
and at the expense OF great deal Of
precious shoe leather. Save me from an
other siege at house hunting! ! would a
bout as soon undertake to build suitable
dwelling with my own hands as to find one
exactly the thing already up, waiting with
open doors for a tenant. All the really
desirable houses that we found ticketed &c
let were ut least two prices above our
limit, and most Of those within our means
We would hardly have lived in rent free.
At last, however, we found a cosy little
nest Of house, just built, and clean and
neat as new pin, from top to bottom. !,
suited us to I. And now came the mex,
most important misunderstanding turnI.
lure. My wite's ideas had always been q
little in advance ofmine. That is, she liked
to have every thing Of the best quality;
and had the weakness, SO to speak, Of desi
ring TO make an appearance. As my In.
come, at the time, was but moderate, anc
the prospect ofan increase thereof not very
flattering, ! felt like being exceedingly pru
dent in all OUTLAWS for furniture.
sWe must be content with things few ant
plain said !, as we sat down one morning
to figure up what we must get.
But let them be good said my wi,a
Strong and substantially was my reply
But we can't afford TO pay for great den
Of extra polish and fligree, work.
4 don't want anything very extra, Mr.
jones' returned my wife, little uneasiIy
Though what have, would like TO have
good. It's no economy, in the end, to buy
cheap things
The emphasis on the word cheap, rathel
grated on my ear; for was in favor OF get
ting every thing as cheap as possible.
.What kind of chairs did you think Q
ge,tng?' asked Mrs. Jones.
"a handsome set of cane seats,' ! replied
thinking that in this, at least, would b,
even with her ideas On the subject ofparlo
chairs.
Bat her face did no, brighten.
what kind would you lke?' said ].
Il believe it would be more economical
in the end to get good stuffed seat, mahoga
ny chairs replied Mrs. Jones.
AT five dollars piece, Ellenn
| yes. Even at five dollars apiece
They would last us our life time; Will
cane sea, chairs, il we get them, will hav
to be renewed two or three times, and cos
a great deal; more in the end, without be
| ing half SO comfortable, or looking half S
well.'
/ Sixty dollars for dozen chairs, whel
very good ones can be had for twenty-fou
dollars! Indeed, Ellen, wo mustn't think Q
such thing. We can't afford it. Remem
Der, there are great many other things I
buy
sIknow, dear; but am sure it will b
much more economical in the end for Us I
diminish tho number Of articles, and add I
the quality Of what We do have. az
very much like the poor woman who pre-
ferred cup Of clear, strong, fragrant col
fee three times week, to a decoction q
burnt rye every day. VIVA. do have Xix
to have good
sAud so do ], Ellen. But, as said before
there will be, diminish as we may, gren
many things TO buy, and we must make tn
cost Of each as small as possible. We mus
not think Of such extrayagance as rnahoga
nv chairs now. AT some other time We ma
get Them
NV wife here gave up this point, an
what thought little remarkable, mad
no more points on the subject Of furniture
had everything my own way. bough
cheap to my hearts content. 1t was onl.
necessary for me TO express my approve
OF IN article, for her to assent TO its pur
! chase.
As to patronizing your fashionable cabi
net makers and high priced upholsters, w
we're no, guilty of the folly, but bought q
reasonable rates from auction stores and a
public sales. Our parlor carpets cost bu
ninety cents yard, md were handsome
han those for which lady ofour acquaint
ance paid dollar thirty.cight. Our chairs
were of neat, fancy pattern, and had cos
thirty dollars dozen. We had hesItntee
for some time between n set at twenty
four dollars and those; but the style being
SO much moro attractive, we let our taste
govern ia the selection. The price Of our
sofa was eighteen dollars, and thought il
really gen,eel affair, though my wife was
not ia raptures about it. A pair ofcard Ia.
bles for fifteen dollars, and marble top
centre table Tor fourteen, gave our parlors
quite handsome appearance.
Il wouldn't ask anything more comforta-
BILE or gcnteel than this said !, when the