Smyrna times., 1873-07-16

this pile. by-the,way, had for months been
waiting for this same ''rany day. and the
subject was one on which | was Just a trihinp
sensitive. | knew by Mrs. B. cOuntenance
that the barrels and boxes would soon come to
grief, and sure enough, when | came home at
night there was a sensible dminution in the
number. said nothing, for there are times
when silence is best, even in one s own house,
neither did my wife; but as days passed on,
and no new inroads were made upon the pile,
| was strongly tempted to twit Mrs b. on her
dampened enthusiasm; | wisely relrained.
1t was about this time that Mrs b. accom-
panied me into town one morning, to make
some purchases, or, in female phrase. to 60
shopping. On the way she asked me what
| thought about taking boarders; there was a
MIR. So-andso and wife, nice people, who
would pay good price. | told her that,
aside from additional work and care thrown
upon her, had no objection, only we had no
proper chamber set, and | did not feel able lust
then to buy one.
''And so that settles it, does it?" said she.
| replied that | supposed it did, and our con-
versation on that topic ceased. | thought no
more about it, until one night Mrs. B.
astonished me by saying that she had about
concluded to take Mr. and Mrs. So and 80 to
board for eight weeks. | laid down my knife
and fork in aStonishment, and looked first at my
wife and then at Susie and as looked | saw
that the about concluded" meant really
decided. | had too much confidence in Mrs
| g. to fear that she would commit any great
| blunder; in fact, her tact was better than my
own, but the best sometimes blunder, and now,
thought |, was her time.
After tea | was demurly invited to the guest
chamber, and on opening the door | could
hardly believe my senses! There was the room
apparently elegantly furnished in summer
| han nj 70
extravagant. There was nothing in it that
recognized but the carpet and bureau. There
was lounge, rOOmy and comfortable. stuffed
chairs, ottOmans, stools, waeh-Stand, mirror,
curtains, ali covered with the loyeiest chintz
green and white with occasional pink orna
mentatons, such as wOman's wit alone can
devise. Paper racks. hanging baskets
brackets, etc, added to the gDeral effect, and
stood bewildered.
What do you think of it?' said Mrs. B.
and Susie.
Elegant" said I; 'but what about the ex.
pense? l cant enjoy it yet until know more
about it. Here has evidently been large out
lay of money, and am at a loss what to say. -
| was sorry to dlmpen the ardor Of my family,
but it had always been my motto to keep
within my means, and here, certainly, was a
breaking of the rule. | added. as sat down in
a soft and easy armchair, This chair alone
9,
and see that wash-stand, with its elaborate
trimming, that lounge, those curtains an1 all
the other stuff always say stuff when at
loss for a world; all this cost of money
And where is it to come from?"
: Mrs. b. did not feel as sober as | expected
/ or hoped, and as for Susie, she laughed out
right, while, as it TO irrtate me still more the
/ rough head of Amos appeared at the door in
an inOppOrtunate moment.
. l. - II
so qlum over it. This is all paid for
Paid for!' said |. "Where did the money
come from? Are last months bills skipped so
that this room can be furnished?"
" Not 50 fast. | got this set where Mrs.
: Goodspeed got hers
/ THAT. then is what you and she were in
' council about the other morning?'
''The very same but really, all the money
that this cost was the chintz and a few nails
e screws and cords. Susie Amos, and | are &C
t countable for the rest. Lift up the flounce of
f that chair"
e | did 50, and saw what seemed to be por
e tion of barrel
e Take up the seat"
did so. and there was neatly lined box fol
2 odds and ends
C Look at that expensive wash-stand -
t | did so, aud as | moved to one side the
| hanging drapery, | saw an old dry. goods box
Y room, and shelf nailed across the middle. A
y covered strip of board at the back, little ruf
: fling and feminine fixing, and there it stood il
beauty. Above it was u cheap mirror, but sC
, bordered with ruffiing, etc, that it looked like
i an expensive one protected from the hies The
r handsome heading over the window curtains
i was a common lath wound with green anC
n white, witha ruffle at the top. The ottOman
d we're shoe boxes. starch boxes, etc, with hinged
nd ck.Rffa ~
{ seats. The lounge had given the most trouble
n but AmOs's ingenuity had fastened up frame
l. work, and the women invented the dry-good
l. cOncealments. A table against the side of tn,
II room, pretty and genteel, displayed, on exarai
! nation, similar rustic work. But will no: q
e into detail The room was pretty furnished
n at mere trihe of expense and look as we'll a
e it hundreds of dollars had been expended upoI
il.
!, "But where" said 1, did you learn to d.
1t all this 7"
The Basay taught us. See here;" and th,
'e happy woman showed me a copy Of the paper
l. with the pictures and the directions.
1t And here is where Mrs. Goodspeed got he
" set is itP"
le "Certainly," said Mrs. Betterhalf And W
IS all sat down and enjoyed the room, and com
a plmented the ladies, asked pardon for m
[; doubts and fears, told them 10 become life sub
d scribers to the Bdsdy, TO buy all the bac
:, volumes, and go into the furnishing bushes
Of generally. Mrs. Goodspeed happened in a
lr the same time, rallied me on my extravagan
7e wife, and related her similar experience wit
" her husband.
e. My story is done. Mr.. So and.so came W
n had a pleasant summer; my wife and Susi
IS went on with their Bdzdr triumphs from cor
quering to conquer, and now the whole neigh
~ borhood takes the Bazaar and the Weekly TIL
~ men and the women are in state of chroni
lg thankfulDess to Harper & Brothers, and n
le money is paid out so cheerfully as that whic
EN- rs expended Tor the Monthly, the Weekly an
Mt the Bdzdr
by -'----
-s The weather is warm enough to perm
n female neighbOrs to lean over the fence an
re-, talk about the people across the way.
he ----- Go