The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-08-10
THE WIDOW BARI W.

Peter BusklrK was very fond of money.
not so fond that Le quite starved himself
to keep 1t, or hid it the chimney or retus-
ed himself fire or lights or pillow but vet
so very fond OF 1t as TO be on the very verge
Of miserhood without having quite fallen
over.
Beggars reaped no harvest from his purse
or ki1ken and match-maKers could MAKE
no impression on his bachelor heart, Pc.
ter BusKlrK saw through the latter as well
as the former, and buttonel up his pockets
as hastily in the presence OF bewitching
crinoline as III that OF the seedy gentleman
with faded document in his breast-pocket.
The men wanted to rob him, the women
marry him. The last was the worst. Not
that Peter hated women; on the contrary
even at fifty he was remarkably susceptible;
a bright eye put him in hutter. But the
fact was, women, wives or daughters.
were expensive. They needed clothes and
were fond Of dainties. They were proven
bially extravagant. Should he marry one.
she would spend his money while he lived
and squander ii after he was dead
And, with this awful terror before him
Peter, steercd clear of the shoals of ma,r; .
mony.
A0AC was Ouc inconvenience TIN :
bachelorhood, however That was the
housekeeping; for 1t involved u servant
some one to make beds wash dishes COOK
ana IRON In short the servant of-all~worK
was always the bane Of Peter Seating and
drinking IN manner which kept the mas
ter OF the house IN continual terment
wasting butter and fuel, and each change
IN the Kitchens encumbrance being follow
Cd by the mysterious disappearance of tow
els and napkins and such small wear
There was no rest for good Mr. BusKirk
He tried Bette and Dinah and Mary and
Ann, and then, Ia despair, flew TO a certain
Mrs. brown, the giver of tea parties inuum-
cradle 10 ask advice.
Servants are sad plaques, she said
Eat you out OF house and home" said
Peter.
Not to be relied on for honesty" said
Mrs. Brown.
Thieves ma am; thieves." said Peter.
''Ah, said Mrs. Brown, "a gentleman
has no time to watch them Now, | should
adese marrying, Mr.. BusKirK.n
..Marryig
''les; sir: a wife can manage such things
so much better. Besides fyou choose a
smart. capable woman, she will Keep an eve
Oh the servant. 1t would &c much more
economical to marry
"Economical." yelled Peter. ..my good
lady. Oh-1-oh, goodness Feathers
and flowers, laces and silks. aud rings ami
and ice.cceam aud things-economical
How many yards do you take for a dress.
ma am
We'll. sir, twelve or ffieen-somesime
when its silk, you know. eighteen.
Eighteen yards. at five shillings or SO a
yard and not one dress. but twenty Nv
good lady it would DE enough to ruin
man
Mrs. Brown reelected
But if you could find an economical,
woman. Mr. Buskitk
'Ah. ii could tini a mermaid
lone wine never wasted penny
..She does no, exist ma'am"
'Nh no lives on next to nothing The
fact is, Mr.. Buskirk. have such a lady in
my eye. She's widew-quite q Young
one-Mrs. Barlow. anu l II have her al
Peach House next week.
Peter BusAira Crinaed sarcass.cally
Economy in hoops anu bonnets" he
said TO himself. They want 10 marry me
and spend my money.
And he went home wroih.
However. economy forbade him to refuse
an Invitation to dinner; and when week
after, Mrs, Brown sent ..her compliments
&c. Mr.. Buskirk ionned his Sunday suit
and went over 10 Peach House at : pre-
cisely. Tae parlor was full OF ladies'. II
silks and muslins. with crino.ine anj
aounces. Most Of them Mr.. Buszirk knew
well. and he looked about in vain for
STRANGER M- Rpavr,rc hal aaif.
Mrs Barlow will De with us
But which was that economical widow.
Probably the Lady in green silk near the
piano. he could not remember her face.
Suddenly Mr.. Buskirk's doubts were SET
at rest Mrs Brown calculated: dear
me. where is cousin Betsy Mr.. Buskirk
you MIST be introduced to Mrs. Barlow"
and a. these words something small and
ia, emerged from between two porsly danes