The weekly union record., 1865-03-04
Our Economical SoiYee.

! be the leading idea of terrestrial existence in
, The minds OF Ms. Dobb and myself We cal
cula,e closely. We never did before since we
were married, that | can remember. But
when butter costs at the rate of FIVE ceuts q
dish, and everything else 10 proportion, house
keeping expenses become serious matter.
was musing upon the announcement that
there was rise of three cents the pound on
veal, at the breakfast table, when Mrs. Dobb
spoke:
James. did you know today wa, Sales
birthday ?"
is it?' said I; how old is she now ,"
She is six years old, and have promised
TO hold a little party for her this evening"
Susan, will il cost anything 2
why, but a trifle, James. Besides. Sallie
has never bad birthday party, you know"
"SaIlie should not have ber birthdays come
so often, wife, ia such times as these How
long is it since bought her a self operating
locomotive, for birthday present.
That was Susie, my dear. Ii i. perfectly
distressing to me the way you do mix those
children up"
But what will this soiree cost US, Susan Z?
You are forever preaching economy to ME, and
Id like you TO practice it little, and let me
preach. It's more fun to preach | like to
preach first rate"
oh there will have to be some nuts and
apples bought"
And some candy, of course ~
What! baby party, aud no candy'"
I'll you won't Interrupt me at every word,
James, Ill tell you. have bought two quarts
OF molasses, and am going 10 make the candy
myself. Now there's one OF my economical
shifts. l never got any credit for it"
But what dauby job, Susan. Stretching
candy sticks body's fingers up so.'
You didn't mind it when you were young
man. Mr.. Dobb. Have you forgotten the
candy parties we useG to have at our house
when | was a girl, James? Such glorious
times as we used to have in that old kitchen
Why, it was at one of those candy parties YOU
paid me The first compliment ever received
from YOU
And what was that ?"
You said that was the sweetest girl in
the room"
~ IOu Was daubed all over with moasses
my dear-as you will be TO night"
Il should think, James, that it should be a
pleasure to revive, here in the city, the recol
lection of those days at the farmhouse. Do
you remember those big hooks in the ceiling OF
tbe kitchen that you threw u great twist Of
candy over to stretch it easier, when Mary
Howard helped you:
"Ah, those were happy days" | said
musingly, slipping my coffee.
You enjoyed making candy then, didn't
you, James p
Yes" said !, coming back to the present
and economy, Il enjoyed grea, many foolish
things when | was young and innocent
couriing, for instance"
We'll, l haven't lost all zest for simple
pleasures" said Mrs D., with enthusiasm. Il
think it will be splendid 10 make the candy
| had rather q thousand times make it than
buy it,"
Nv hch accounts for one Of your economical
shifts that you never get any credit for"
Mrs Dobbs looked daggers al me.
well, Susan, let's see what il will cost
What's moasse. the quart, now -
II paid sixty cents for two quarts"
And apples ?"
A peck will supply the party-tha, will be
sixty cents more
And say dollar and half for nuts That
will be three dollars and seventy cents. Ii
will be very economical soiree."
Il should say it would, Mr.. Dobb."
"Can |, papa?' said Sallie looking up to
me, with her spoon between her lips
Can you what, darling? Have the party /?
Why, of course you can, you little blessing"
And helped her to another spoonful of gravy,
ont Of the iull tondness of a fathers heart.
Wont It be bully, sis ?" asked Fred from
bis side OF the table.
How that boy does pick up the slang of this
vicious age is astonishing, Its no use reprov-
ing it. Boys will be boys" as friend OF
mine once remarked when be sat down on
bent pint placed in bis chair by his eldest son
in froacsome moment.
What good papa he is :" whispered Saie
to her sister, next plate east.
"Ob, he's gay sanged Fred.
] gave SalIIe some more gravy.
DO you like kisses, papa?" chmed in Nellie
L like everything good, dear, Why do
you ask p
Because we're going to have all the girls
kiss you, tonight"
They won't be big enough Ncll-not half
| prefer big girls to little ones"
James" said Mrs. Dobb, reprovingly.
"Oh. Mary Ann Smith is great big girl"
said Nell. Her dresses almost come down 10
the ground"
do they? That's encouraging. Is Mary
-Abu
Yes; and two other big girls. They write
compositions"
Compositions. They must be getting very
old ,"
Compositions are such proof of maturity
among these little bodies. Did you ever
notice it7
Bring the nuts when you come to dinner,
James" was my wife's parting injunction.
"All right, dear
l was detained down town that afternoon
later than usual. ard. when | came home in the
evening. found the four little Dobbs sitting
in solemn state in the parlor, awaiting the
coming Of the guests.
Shortly after the door bell rang, and the
children were in high state of commotion.
Sallie jumped down from the sofa aud made
dash for the door, but, suddenly recolecting
herself, returned 10 her perch aud smootbed her
hands over her apron.
Bridget usbered into the patlor string Of
seven boys OF assorted sizes, who ranged them
selves along the wall without saying q word.