The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-10-23
Monday Morning. Oct, 20, 1865.
The Woman in Brown.

am perfectly astonishedW
at isn't for myself, Eustace," faltered the
timid little wife, flushing up to the roots Of
her hair; "but the ladies' in the church are
trying to make up a little sum for the poor
soldiers in the hospital, and"
twenty-five dollars?" enunciated Mr..
Wilde, as if every syllable were hundred
pound weight hurried at his defenceless part
ner. @For the soldiersl Do pay taxes, Mrs.
Wilde, or do 1 not? Are my resources drawn
upon by the Government every day in the
year, or are they not, for this very object?-
I am not made of gold Mrs. Wilde, whatever
you may think; assure you that it is only by
the practice of the most rigid economy that I
am able at the years end to bring my expen-
ses within my annual income Besides, l very
cordially disapprove of these outside charities
It's Governments business to provide for the
sick soldiers; can't afford to pay the debts Of
the whole War Department; and what's more
won't"
Eusiace Wilde was standing in front of a
garnet-clear coal-fre, on the hearth-rug, but
toning up his gloves for the daily down-jaunt
that opened his days business, a handsome,
stylish looking man, with silky black nous
tache, and portly figure attired in garments
that fitted as only Broadway suits can fit;
while Maggie his wife, sat before the coffee
urn in a pretty morning dress of buff fgingham
with deep linen cuffs, and little white collar
tied with maize colored ribbon. She had
very sweet face, Swallowed with heavy brown
hair and bright hazel eyes; but somehow
there was weary, care-worn look, tired
droop of the lashes, and a dark ring under the
eyes, that made one instinctivey remember
patient Martha of old, "burdened with many
cares"
She took up her little port-monnaie with a
disappointed face to replace it in the pocket
of her apron.
"But what shall tell the Committee, Eu-
stace?'
s'TelI them, Mrs. Wilde" said her husband,
dogmatically, ''that at the present scale of
prices, economy is the chief duty of us ALL
The soldiers will, have no doubt, be cared for
by the proper authorities. l must decline to
subscribe. You observe my DEAR" he added
glancing at bank-note that lay on the table
cloth, "That l have already placed house
keeping funds for the week at your disposal
l must beg of you to use discretion in its ex-
penditure. t3s
Give dollars is not enough, Eustace" said
Mrs. Wilde, with stolid courage born of des-
peration. @ a
"Not e-nough?p
Maggie raised her eyebrows a little impa-
tiently.
@Ifyou think Eustace, that five dollars viii
pay the butcher, settle the bakers account and
the ice-Inan's bills, and leave enough for daily
marketing expenses, should like to have you
remain at home and take charge of the inan-
ces yourself"
"My dear, you must purchase cheaper arti-
cles."
"But you know how fastidious you are
about your meals"
s'That has nothing to do with the question:"
said Mr.. Wilde shortly. sWe must economise
my dear, we must indeed"
Maggie Wilde colored, and bit her lip
Economise-when she had sat through all the
sun-shiny hours of yesterday over a weary
worE-basket, mending little dresses and darn
ing tiny socks and retrimming her own bon
net to save unnecessary expenditure! Poor
Maggiel 1t was hard to be accused Of extrav-
agance under these circumstances. A quick
answer trembled on her lips, but she forced
back the angry words and answered.
"Indeed, / try not to be extravagant, Eu-
STAGE"
"But you must be, my dear, or where in the
name of common sense does allgthe money
go? / never spend anything"
'Don't you"
sENever, my dear-never. Depend upon it,
the escape valve is somewhere in the house
keeping. 1t would be much better to devote
your energies to domestic economy than to
running about collecting money for the sol
diers-very much better. And moreover, l
cannot very well let you have any more now !;
my funuS are running low. Irf4t
"You had fifty dollars in that pocl1et-book
the day before yesterday" said Maggie quietly
sand have used but ten of it."
"Ten? You must have used more than
ten OF it."
aNot cent?
"The coal bill. 1 paid the coal bill out of it,
and that was twenty dollars, you remember"
said he triumphanty.
ks"Then where are the remaining twenty dol
lars?" a.3as
Mr.. Wilde twisted himself little, as though
his pearl-colored over-coat were rather tight
fit.
@Business, my dear; you can't be expected
to understand anything about business mat
ters"
aBut what particular business. persisted
his wife.
"Mageie,r said Mr.. Wilde solemnly, Athis
isn't to the purpose at all. A woman's mind
isn't adapted TO comprehend business Iela-
tions; she should confne herself to one grand
point, economy. Reduce your expenses; bring
everything within the narrowess possible out
lay. | think 1t would be a very good plan, my
dear, to keep little account OF your daily dis
bursements, and / could glance over it every.
night, and check off any little items that
struck me as clearly superituOaS."
MaSgles dark eyes began to sparkle omln-
ring. aa-f7
ton" ''-' y s~ '--'''
You think rot, have no doubt but wo-
of economy"
But Maggie rose quietly to her feet and
went out OF the room, slanrning the door he
hind her with good deal Of yehemence Tic
slender thread of her patience had been stra;
ed TO its utmost tension, and had snanned
asuInder at last.
She sat down, and-of course--cried hearth
aAnd was so sure of that money for the
poor soldiers" she thought, between the
hriOht drops. at seems so little for us to give
them, when they are doing SO much for usl
cannot brook this. must not Ellstace has
harped ou,te long enough on this particular
strine-it must be put an end to- Thcre is
some difference between pinching parSimony
and economy. Oh Maggie Wildel Ii woman's
wit don't help you out of this perplexlty, you
deserve to sink into mere househoiu uruuge,
whose idols shall be gold, silver, anu copper
Bridget" said Mrs. Wilde, coming into the
Kitchen, where the cook was ch0pplnS spices
Tor some elaborate made dish, wherein the
heart OF Eustace Wilde delighted, "win you
ienu me your cid bonnet and shawl to-lnor-
Bridget stared in open-mouthed amaze
ment.
Sure, ma'am, and why would you be after
wanting 'em? They're not decent for the
likes of youn
particular reason.v
oure welcome as flowers in Nav. ma'am.
1uI ~ queer fit they'll be for you, patched,
daTned, am taded.n
but Mrs Wilde only laughed.