Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-09-28
seIut alisetIIaw.
From Petetson's Magazine.
SAVE IN SOMETHING ELSE.
by ELLEN ASHTON.

ny ELLEN ASHTON.
"Mutton chops again for dinnerl"
said the well.ied looking Mr.. Finley.
"Realy il is too bad. when you know
that, if there is anything | detest il is
mutton chops"
81 wasn't aware, James," answer
ed the wife, a care-worn woman, apol
igetically, "that you disliked mutton
chops so very much. Iknow, indeed,
you prefer bref-stake; but then beefis
so high, especially sirloin- steaks"
"Well, well. never mind for to-day
replied Mr.. Finley. Grossly, helping
himself to chop. "But don't for
mercy's sake give me any more Of
this stuff, meat / will not call it, sir
Ioin steaks / must have. You can
easily save il in something else"
Save il in something elsel "But
how" asked the wife OF herself, "is
this to be done?" Her weekly allow
ancc was already as small as it could
be, considering how many mouths she
had to feed, and that she was compell-
ed to disburse more or less of it con-
tinually for "sundries. that's nothing
at ALL" as Mr.. Finley said. Now it
was for omnibus hire; now il was a
new broom; now it was for mending a
a new pane; and now it was for doz-
en- Of new tumblers. or cups. or plates.
or.pie dishes. Sometimes il was even
for cigars. her husband saying as he
left the house, "you must give me
half dollar. Anne, to buy cigars rs
90 down town: for l find ! haven't a
bit OF small change; and | find can
not do without my afternoon smoke"
The next day. there was a juicy sir
loin steak for dinner, but only one kind
Of potatoes.
"why. how is this? How is this?
No sweet potatoes to-day when / like
as you know. my dear. roasted sweet
potatoes, particularly with steak"
II thought would save the money
for an extra steak in that way" tim
idly answered the wife.
"Good gracious. no! I'd rather do
without anything slsa." sarily replied
the husband. Positively. my whole
dinners spoilt: and such a luscious
steak. too. How could you be so alb
surd?"
The tears came into the wife's eyes.
But she knew her husband hated what
he called a scene, aud so she choked
down her emotion. There were few
words spoken during the meal. for Mr..
Finley was out Of temper, and his wife
did not dare trust herself to talk, les:
she should break down.
The third day. the steak was excel
lent and the potatoes Drowned Ito a
turn" Mr.. FInly was in a capital
humor. rs he always was over good
eating, until the desert came in, which
consisted Of plain rice pudding.
Poor mans pudding. declare
Really. Anne, one would think. from
the fare you provide, that ! was q
bankrupt"
Indeed. Jamas. do try to please
yu." said the wife, bursting into
tears. But ] can't afford to give you
everything. provisions are so high; and
| thought you'd rather have this cheap
pudding. than TO do without your steal
or sweet potatoes"
"Pshawl Don't cry." hastily re-
piled Mr.. Finley. ITO be sure IL
rather do without u good pudding,
than not have the Others" he continu
ed, more peaceably. "But there's re
ally no necessity for IL. my dear. fol
in so large household As ours. then,
are plenty OF things off which the pric,
Of pudding might be saved"
| No more was said on the subjec
that day. But few mornings after
Mr.. Finley. on tasting his coffee. said
suddenly putting down his cup;
Whats the matter with your cof
fee. my dear? Really that grocer ha'
cheated you. Why, (tasiing il again
this stuifis Laguyra. and not Java. n
ALL" ~
at is not the grocer's fault" Mrs
Finley mustered courage to say. -
knew IL was Laguyra when bough
IL. Our expenses are 80 high. IN,
dear, that we must save in something
and thought IL would be felt least
perhaps, in the coffee"
"The very last thing to save in.'
said Nj. Finley, angrily, pushing
away his coffee. I'D rather drink
cold water than this strong. coars'
Laguyra." And cold water he di,
drink. though his wife. almost read,
to cry, offered TO have some tea made
Mrs. Finley is still endeavoring I,
- ave in something else," for her hus
band will not deny himself in anythin,
aud forgeta to increase her allowance
Her last experiment WAS 10 forego
aew spring bonnet. But her husband
on seeing her coming down dressed
for church. on q sunshiny May morn
ing. with her last years bonnet on
grew very angry, declaring that 'ther
was no need to make herself look lik
fright, he wasn't n broken mer
chant" But when one OF the chill
dron told why the old bonnet wa
worn. he made no offer to increase hi
wife's stipend. but only grumbled sui
kily. that "she might have saved il il
something else"
When ! see well.fed, dogmati
husband. who has a care worn wife,
think Of the surloin steak. tho pudding
and the bonnet and wonder II poo
Mrs. Finley is the only woman. VIII
to CRAFTY selfish husband. Is mad
. the victim OF saving "IS soMErmS
ELsE."
Eg-"Sambo, if the devil was I
G lose him tail. whar would he 60 TO &C
r anoder one"
"why TO de grocer. OBJ coursr-dat'
d de only place whar they retail ba
: spirits"