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

|
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
of very plain brown merino, and she wore
neither bri och nor bow, only white linen
collar. Peter looked approval. Several
Of the ladies exchanged glances, and faint
giggle was heard; and as though by com
mon consent, the two were left tete >a-tete in
a corner.
pleasant day." said Peter to commence
the conversation. pheasant day, but
cold.'
"Ah, yes; but dislike cold weather.
"pon't agree with you, ma ann"
'.Oh, that's not it. l am never i'll: but
cold weather is so expensive Lights early
and Goals dear, proceeded the lady. Mon
ey slips through ones fingers; and l never
waste things"
''My case exactly" said Buskirk. "It's
astonishing how things cost. Now. there is
butter-say pound Fortnight
'sOh, never eat butter-it costs too
much" said the lady.
"Ah :! and sugar and tea and coffee"
elf you indulge in such luxuries what
can you expect?' said Mrs. Barlow.
''They are artificial wants altogether, so
they are," said Mr.. Buskirk. ':But then,
habit is second nature"
''Extravagant habits ruin many" said
Mrs Barlow. "Oh | shudder when l
look at those founces. Such waste of
material
''Ive often thought so,' said Peter
''And you don't wear them
a. said Mrs. Barlow. 81 have my SEN
ses, sir. I've no wish to die in a workhouse.
Pve had this dress ten years.
"1ndeed.'' said Peter. s:And suppose
some ladies buy one every ten MONTHS
every ten days. said Mrs. Barlow
''Oh, blush for my sex, Mr.. Busklrk, l do
indeed! -
Peter was charmed. He began to think
Mrs. Brown right. The cost Of such a wife
would be a mere trihe, and what an eye
she would keep to the expenses Of house
hold.
Ere the evening was over he had decided
that it would be cheaper to marry than to
remain single, were Mrs. Barlow his help
mate.
Shed not only be saving herself, but
she would check me in my little extrava-
gances," said he. "She would be invalua-
BILE to me. She wears one dress ten years
The tates must have sent her to earth for
my especial benefit"
So, after due consideration, Peter re-
solved to court the economical widow. and
that lady being conveniently domiciled at
Mrs. Browns he found every opportunity.
1t was very inexpensive courtship He
gave her not present. She expected none
lie took her nowhere save to church, where
neither of them ever saw the plate. and both
were happy.
At last he proposed. She blushed and
hesitated, and begged time to consider
At last she said: II am afraid to say yes
Mr.. Buskirk. like you; but you are so
terribly extravagant. You drink tea and
coffee, and eat butter, and l should fear
coming to want, should indeed''
II! Why, Pm the most economical soul
living" said Peter.
''Extravagant people always think that, :"
said the lady. "No, I'm afraid to say yes,
unless, indeed you were to make your
property over to me, so that could be sure
you would not ruin yourself. OF course
that would be impossible, and it would be
such care that really l could scarcely
desire it, even for gentlemen l SO much
respect
And the economical relic blushed and
hesitated.
| 1t was Peters turn to pause and consid-
err. He went away to do SO, and returning
suddenly to his house, found his serving
maid selling dripping to man. He dis
missed her at once, and rushed back to the
widow Barlows.
"My money would be safer in your
hands than mine" he said with moan
MARRY me and keep me from being ruin
ed"
| What the widows answer was be judged
from the fact that three weeks from that
day they were united the clergyman re-
ceivivg shilling, from Peter; and the bride
wearing her brown merino, in the pocket
of which she carefully deposited the deeds
which made the property exclusively her
own.
"Now for happiness" said Peter. ..No
more thieving servan's-no more. waste
and lovely wife into the bargain. He. he :.
he. Peter Buskirk is the man for luck
| And he took his bride home to dine on
cold meat and radishes, being absolutely
ashamed even to speak of his accustomed
mutton chop before so economical lady.
| The next morning he hurried OF to bust
ness.
Never waste time, love" said the new
II married dame. Besides, I've agrea,
deal to attend to; so-good-bye."
odbye," responded Peter. ..Wha,
treasure you are. my dear. The washing |
suppose. My mother always washed on
Monday"
And away he went, content With him
self and all the world.
Ats he returned. Horror of horrors
there were ladders against his house. AMI
men upon them. Had there been a Are
He rushed up, GREATNESS.
What is the matter Who are these
men," he painted Fire thieves On
must bs dreaming
Don't make noise. love- said voice
from the parlor window. They're only
the house painters"
"House-pain,ers !"
"Yes, dear. Don't you know the Dutch
proyerb A coat Of paint paysstse.f.."
Peter breathed again
but the swful expense. he said
"Dear. dear. you should hare consulted
me-"