Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-28
the piano. He could not remember her

ted:
Dear me, where is cousin Betsy ? Mr.
Van Buskirk you must be introduced t,
Mrs. Barlow )" and at these words some
thing small and fiat emerged from be-
tween two portly danes, and stood befor,
him. 1t was very short and slender
little woman, with remarkably pretty
face. She wore no hoops, and her dress
cleared her ankles. The sleeves were
close, and the skirt had perhaps three
breadths in it. The dress itself was o.
very plain brown merino, and she wore
neither pin nor bow, only a white liner
collar. Peter looked approval. Sew
eral OF the ladies exchanged glances, and
faint giggle was heard and, as though
by common consent, the two were left
tete-a'tete in corner.
pheasant day." said Peter, to com
mence the conversation. pheasant day,
but cold, num-"
"Ah, yes but dislike cold weather,
said the lady.
"Don't agree with you, mum ?"
sob, that's not it. | am never i'll ;
but cold weather is so expensive"
"Lights early, and the coal and wood"
proceeded the lady. "Mouey slips
through ones fingers; and though new
er keep a servant to waste things, | won
der where they go to-"
"My case exactly" said Van Buskirk.
"Irs astonishing how things cost. Now,
there is butter--say pound a fortnight" /"
"Oh, 1 never eat butter-it costs too
much," said the lady.
"Ah and sugar and tea and coffee"
off you indulge in such luxuries, what
can you expect?' said Mrs. Barlow.
"They are artificial wants altogether,
so they are" said Mr.. Van Buskirk.-
'But then, mum, habit is second nature"
"Extravagant habits ruin many" said
Mrs. Barlow. "Oh | shudder when |
look at those founces. Snch a waste of
"I've often thought so," said Peter.
"And you don't wear 'em ?"
81" said Mrs. Barlow. 81 have my
senses, sir. I've no wish to die 10
poor house. IYe had this dress ten
years"
'Indeed p said Peter. "And / sup
pose some ladies buy ole every ten
months"
Every ten days" said Mrs. Barlow.
oh, | blush for my sex, Mr.. Van Bus
kirk, l do, indeed p
Peter was charmed. He began to
hink Mrs. Brown right. The cost of
uch a wife would be mere trife, and
what an eye she would keep to the ex-
,enses Of a household. Besides, she was
,retty and quite young--a prize if ever
here was one. More and more con-
inced was Peter when at table Mrs.
Barlow refused every thing but bread
nd water when, as he stirred his tea,
he leaned over and whispered;
Excuse me, but | have taken an in
crest in you, aud do you know now
ouch sugar you are putting into your
up?"
Never, never in his life had Peter Van
'uskirk met so praiseworthy female, or
ne whose views so coincided with his
wn. Ere the evening was over he bad
ecided that it would be cheaper to mar
y than to remain single, were Mrs. Bar
wv his helpmate.
"She'd not only be saving herself, but
be would check me in my little exuav-
gances," said he. "She would be in
aluable to me. She lives on bread and
ater, and wears one dress ten years.
he Fates must have sent her TO Earth
n my especial benefit"
So after due consideration, Peter re-
lived to court the economical widow, and {
lat lady being conveniently domiciled |
Mrs. Browns he found every oppor- {
nifty.
1t was very inexpensive courtship.
-e gave her not a present. She ex-
scted none. He took her nowhere save
church, where neither of them ever a
w the plate, and both were happy.
AT last he proposed. She blushed
I'd hesitated, and begged time to con- i
lder. AT last she said: @
81 am afraid to say yes, Mr.. Van Bus. S
rk. like you; but you are so terri> S
? extravagant. You drink tea and cof.
2 and eat butter, and really l should,
ar coming to want, l should, indeedp
81. Why I'm the most economical n
ul living" said Peter. K
"Extravagant people always think k
al" said the lady. "No. I'm afraid to f,
y yes, unless, inded, you were to make o
ur property over to me, so that | could d
sure you would not ruin yourself "
course that is impossible, and it would a
such care that really could scarce n
desire it, even for a gentleman | SO ii
lch respect" W
And the economical relict blushed and al
STATED. W
|, was Peters turn to pause and con~ d,
er. He went away to do so, and re. fo
ming suddenly to his mansion, found in
serving maid selling butter to the til
Ip-fat man. He dismissed her at once,
] rushed back to the Widow Barlow's.
MY money would be safer in your III
Ids than mine," be said, with a groan. M
AIRY me, and keep me from being in
ned !" II
What the widows answer was may ali
judged from the fact that two weeks III
N that day they were united, the cler- &c
nan receiving twenty shillings from tn
Ter, and the bride wearing her brown pa
rino, in the pocket Of which she care th
y deposited the deeds which made the W;
rart, ovoI,.;roI,, H. o,,, IS