The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-01-26


To this Kate agreed, though she was
quite confident that she had ample
means to carry out the plan she had
laid down.
SO Kate began to select her furniture;
first for the parlor, then for the sitting
room, then for the chambers, iottins
down the price Of each article. They
then went home to dinner.
Aunt Sarah had promised to make
out list o. what kitchen furuiture she
would need, and after dinner, she sat
down to redeem it. In the meantime
Kate, at her suggestion, began to add
up the long row offgures that had been
the result Of her mornings work. Her
cheeks flushed as she proceeded, and
the result seemed to be very uusatisfac.
tory, for sho went over it twice.
Aunt Sarah noticed her perplexity.
"llow much will you have left for
your kitchen furniture 7" she inquired.
"Three dollars and five cents y
The old lady smiled.
"You will have enough 10 get cou
pie of tin plates aud half dozen knives
aud forks"
81 don't understand it. | thought
that had quite enough to furnish the
house comfortably"
And so you have, my dear; but in
your selection you have had an eye more
to show thao to comfort. | thought
that would let you take your own way,
but L knew very well where il would
terminate, for you did not begin at the
right end"
~ don't know what you mean, aunt" Z"
"Why, you should have begun with
the kitchen, and thus have secured the
things that you must have. Then, if
there is anything left for the parlor, it
could easily be got"
Kate looked aghast at the list of arii-
Giles that was handed her.
"Sball | need all these things, aunt"
+" If you wish to do your work we'll
and economically, you cannot get along
with less. Never stint in the kitchen
to make show in the parlor."
Il don't see that | shall have any.
thing left for the parlor," said Kate,
after few minutes calculation Of the
figures before her; "the kitchen, sitting.
room and chambers will take the whole" !"
"Aud supposing that it should re-
main uDfurnished, at least, for the pre-
sent. Those who come to see you will
not object to being received in your
sitting. room; and those who come to
see your furniture are not worth being
received at ALL"
But then it will look SO odd; SO
different from what other people do.
Mrs Weston has her parlor very nicely
furnished"
Mrs. Weston was an old schoolmate,
who had married few weeks before.
Yes, aud | happened to know how
it was paid for, Mr.. Weston mortgaged
his house. presume your husband
can do the same"
Kate's natural good sense recoiled at
this suggestion.
81 would rather never have any par
lor," she exclaimed.
Perhaps we can do with less in the
sitting ROOM" she suggested, as she ran
her eyes again over the list of articles
IL suppose that the sitting room will
be the place where you will spend your
evenings, and most Of your spare time?"
"Yes."
"Then take the advice of an old mar.
ried woman, my dear, and make the
room in which your husband spends his
evenings the pleasautest one in the
house."
Kate followed Aunt Sarah's advice,
and never has had reason to regret it,
Five years later Mr. Weston's mort.
guged house was sold under the ham.
mer, aud all his fine furniture went
with it.
Kate has now very prettily furnish
ed parlor, and she enjoys it none the
less that none of its adornments have
been purchased at the expense Of the
happiness of home aud the substantial
comforts OF life.