The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-05-26
From the Home Magazine.
farce Hundred Dollar Fl1rs.

From the Home Magazine.
farce Hundred DoElar Fl,-s.
There, Annie, that's your Christmas
present; you shall have a set of furs worth
having, this ii me-" saidt ,c gentleman as he
placed. with little triumphant air. the roll
Of bills in his wife's palm.
She was small, gentle-faced woman, no
longer in her youth, but her expression was
one that grew upon you; one that, the more
it was studied, quoted and gladdened the
heart. . .....
"Three hundred dollars! Oh, Luke won't
that be a great piece of extravaganza
No, indeed, dear; can afford to be gen.
erous to you now and there can be said of
you, what alas cannot be said of so many
wives, that years of sacrifice and frugality
on your part, have made me now almost a
rich man. All, Annie, if love of dress, and
ostentation, had been your ambition, where
should we have been to-day-bless your
heart!" .. --.
And he bowed down his head in his wife's
lap, and her soft fingers stole through his
hair, and she saw that the dark locks were
slightly quilted with silver, as dark meadow
is quilted with brooks.
"Thank you for the sweet praise, my hus-
band. But it was no sacrifice for me not to
dress elegantly; and then we were so happy
in that Iittla ~. n, brol rooc.l L,,,.o I'll
die and Ellen came to us. What should |
have thought then of ever wearing three
hundred dollar set of furs ?" - -
"Ah,. you've been used to economic so
long, little wife, that you don't know how to
be generous toward yourself" a,ar .. r
Maybe not; but there goes the supper
bell,''' rising, and carefully rolling UP the
notes. -. 49,. ss.-.s ...a r. ..... .v
well, Annie, got the new flrs ?" asked
Mr.. Munson, as he came in from business one
evening. ... ..-.... r....n- 7Gr
"No, dear; and I've been thinking Luke
>, .-.... .-- @.@ '-'' % "t't& " b
Thinking you can't afford them, I sup
pose; but you don't know Just how rich
man has the honor of being your husband"
presume not; bit it is no fear of ex-
travagance which makes me decline your
gift" .'..'. .-azsG.s-.. ....#
What in the world is it, them"
"Wlyr youknow there brother Georges
wife. She feels good deal disturbed already
because of our new house, and furniture, and
if get these furs, it will make her own look
so shabby, she won't enjoy walking out with
me this Winter"
"Well done, Annie, I thought you had
more independence What business is it of
hers, ia like to know, so long as we can
afford it." 0 sasa rra g. s~sra a.s aasrl's#t
None grant, but that won't make her
feel it the less, and then sometimes the best
practical sermons woman's life csn preach
lie in her manner of dressing"
Wen, do you think it's womans duty
to be governed in this thing by the Jealous
les, and ambitions of her silly neighbors."
~ do sometimes; woman who sees as
well as do what great social evil this love
of dress is, and how many home is made
miserable by indulging it, will feel that the
possession of wealth does not alone afford
her an excuse for luxurious attire, for none of
US liveth to himself"
=" Now, its just like yol, to be morbidly
conscientious about wearing three hundred
dollar furs. / might have seen that before
hand. But I'm in no wise convinced
Hasn't man right to surround himself
with elegance and beauty, when he's honest
~ come by the means to do it, or must he
forego it all, because it'll stimulate the envy
Of some of his foolish neighbors or relations
No, it is surely not his duty not to give
offence and after all it is making very
little sacrifice on my part; a fifty dollar set
Of furs will suit me just as well as five hun
dred You will let me have the fermer,
Luke ~
The gentleman burst into a loud laugh, and
brought down his clenched fist on the table.
"Why, what in the world makes you so
boisterous Luke!" lifting up her soft brown
eyes, in smiling amusement.
II was thinking, Annie Munson, that /
wondered how many women there were in
this wide world, who'd entreat their husbands