The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-11-04
Mr.. BIifkins' Economy.

The story that we told concerning Mr.. Blif-
kins' baby is now going through the papers,
and though it was true, very few of them seem
disposed to credit it. We were delighted
with Blinkins' account OF his saving by an
economical expedient, and give it nearly in
his own words:
"Mr. Blifkins," says my wife, aonr kitch-
en- needs painting" ]" "Does it my dear Well.
then, need it must for | assure you, Mrs.
Blfkins, that the accrueing dimes do not war
rant the outlay at present." | saw that she
was unhappy, and knew that she would not
relinquish her point. ssNr. Blifkins," she
said, few days thereafter, sI have thought
of an expedient by which we can have our
kitchen painted.'' Her face was lighted up
with an expression that il so seldom wears as
she spoke. She is a great woman FOR expe-
dients, this same Mrs. Bifkns. You can do
it yourself!' continued she, touching me with
the point Of her forefinger in the region of nv
fourth vest button. ga dollar saved. said
she still fnrther, sis as good as dollar earned,
you know" looked with admiration on that
wonderful specimen of her sex, as she said
this, and "allowed" Gas the Western people
say) TO myself, as economist, she had no peer.
And well might I allow it, for a. that very
moment were her shoulders covered bv sort
Of monkey jacket, made of one of my worn
out coats, and pair of gallgaskins had as
snmed the form of basque, and were worn
by a Javinile Blifklns. ssYour suggestion"
said to my wife. sis a good one, and to-mor-
row shall develop new phase in my charac-
teri will turn artist, and give the world ev-
idence of a talent that needs the Promethean
spark of necessity to draw it out will GET
pots and brushes, and Michael Angelo, Ra-
phael, Saltwater Rosa, aud Claude Lorraine
shall yield the palm to Rlfkins.'' Mrs b.
was delighted. sMr. Bifkns," said my wife
in the night, as was getting into a sold nap.
''you'd better make it pale green.o "Do
what?" said I, starting up, forgetting all about
the painting. ssThe palnt," replied she.
am afraid that used some expression of spleen
that was unworthy Of me. l turned over to
try TO sleep again. "Mr. BIifkins,o said my
wife, ''doh't you think the window sills would
look better some other color?o ",ny color
you please. my DEAR" said I but let ns dis
miss the subject from present discussion. -
But was all night drea ming of nv undertake
ing. No oroseate hues mingled with nv sleep<
ing fancies, fraught with the odors of celestial
bowers but paint pots were piled in pyramids
abo,.t me-brush handles, like boarding pixies.
encountered everywhere anu villainous Sun eli,
Of raw paint a lmost suffocated me.
81 was mp with the lark, ana after breaks
went down to Bristle, the painters to procure
my paint. That eminent pr ofessor of arts
mixed me two pots of the right article, of hues
that were Of satisfactory shade, and went
home with anticipation OF the most exalted
character. 'Mr. Blifkins,' said my wife. syou
have dreadfuliy daubed your pants with paint
strange that you should be so careless.,-
Sure enough on both sides. had bestowed inn
partial donations of the adherlng color, The
pants were new. and had congratulated nv.
self on their being wonderful fit. This was
encouragement. sMr. BIfkins.' said nv
wife, you'd better put on an old pair Ihave
always boasted of my ability to compete with
anybody in the particular property known as
old clothes. knew that the decayed fashion.
of many years hung by their allotted pegs in
the closet; which had been facetiously denom-
mated sthe wardrobe ana hastened to procure
the garment desired. In the name of all the
tribes OF Israel, where were the bitnrated teg.
nments that for years had met my view? The
pegs were bare, and my first impression was
that they had taken to their own legs and
walked away. sMrs. Biifkins,' said | to nv
wife, on the top of the stairs, and at the ton OF
my lungs, where are etbe-the-garments?
heard her say something about .sold,' and con-
ciuded that she wac trying some little trick
upon me, as wives sometimes will, and was
adopting the formula so much in vogue,
for expressing it. She came up stairs. sMr..
Blifkins,' said she, Il declare sold all your
old clothes only yesterday, for beautiful pair
of vases and some tinware' locked at her
earnestly, but the evident ealmness that pre-
vailed in her own breast, softened aud snbdued
the violence in mine. You'd better put on
this,' said she, holding up an article of female,
apparel, the name of which l disremember.
but which when secured to my waist, as
recollect, fell to my feet. She smiled as she
placed it in my hand, and put 1t on. sNow
shall you see, wife of my soul,' said |, ssuch
work as you can find alone in the Vatican at
Rome or the Louvre at Paris, should you feel
inclined to seek it. Here before this door
take my stand, and here l commence. You
shall see.' sMr. Blifkins,' ssid my wife, cont
drip il over the foor.' sNever fear,' said I,
dripping in the brush and sopping it up against
the ssds In the most approved form.