Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-01-28

leasant day, SAID Fetef, TO com
mence the conversation; pleasant
day, but cold.
All, yes; but I dislike cold wealth
er, said the lady.
Don't it agree with you, ma'ami
o, that's not it. | am never i'll;
but cold weather is so expensive
Lights early and Goals dear, proceed
ed the lady. Money slips through
ones fingers; aud l never waste
things.
My case exactly, said Peter. It's
astonishing how things cost. Now,
there is butter-say pound fort
night.
o, never eat butter; it costs too
much, SAID the lady.
All, and sugar and tea and coffee.
If you indulge in such luxuries,
what can you expect? Said Mrs. Bar
low.
They are artificial wants altogeth-
er, so they are, said Peter. But then,
habit Is second nature.
Extravagant habits ruin many,
said Mrs. Barlow. | shudder when |
look at those flounees-such a waste
of material.
Pve often thought so, said Peter.
And you don't wear them?
/? said Mrs. Barlow. / have my
sen ses, sir. Ihaye no wish to die III
a work house. Pye had this dress ten
years.
Indeed, said Peter. And 1 sup
pose some ladies buy one every
month.
Every ten days, said Mrs. Barlow;
O, / blush for my sex, Mr.. Buskirk,, |
do, indeed.
Peter was charmed. He began
to think Mrs Brown right. The
cost of such wife would be mere
trife, and what an eye she would
keep to the expenses Of the 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 helpmeet
She's not only saving herself, but
she would check me in my little ex-
travagancies, said he. She would
be invaluable to me. She wears one
dress ten years. The fates must have
sent her to earth for my special ben
eft.
So, after due consideration, Peter
resolved to court the economical
widow, and that lady being conve-
niently domiciled at Mrs. Browns,
he found every opportunity.
1t was a very inexpensive court
ship. He gave her not a present
she expected none. He took her no.
where save to church, where neither
of then 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, / am
afraid to say yes, Mr., Buskirk. 1
like you, but you are SO terribly ex-
travagant. You drink tea and cof-
fee, aud eat butter, and reallyssI
should fear coming to want, i should,
indeed.
1! Why, I'm the most economical
soul living, said Peter.
Extravagant people always think
that, said the lady. No, l am afraid
to say yes, unless, indeed, you were
to make your property over to me
so that l could be sure that you
would not ruin yourself. Of course,
that is impossible, and it would be
such care that really l could scarce
ly desire it, even for a gentleman l so
much respect.
And the economical relict blushed.
It was Peters turn to pause and
consider. He went away to do so,
and returning suddenly to his house
found his servant-maid selling drip
pings to man for soap grease. He
dismissed her at once, and rushed
back to the Widow Barlow's.
My money would be safer in your
hands than mine, he said, with a
moan. Marry me, and keep me from
ruin.
What the widows answer was may
be judged from the fact that three
weeks from that day they were uni
ted, the clergyman receiving five
shillings from Peter, and the bride
wearing her brown merino, in the
pocket of which she carefully de-
posted the deeds which made the
property exclusively her own.
Now for happiness, said Peter; no
more thieving servants; 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, be-
ing absolutely ashamed even to speak
of his accustomed mutton chops be-
fore SO economical a lady.
The next morning he hurried off
to business.
Never waste time, love, said the
newly married dame. Besides I've
great deal to attend to; so goodbye.
Goodbye, responded Peter; what
treasure you are, my dear. The
washing, l suppose? Ny mother al
ways washed on Monday.
And away he went, content with
himself and all the world.
At six he returned, Horror of hor-
rors! there were ladders against his
house, and men upon them. Had
there been fire? He rushed up
breathless.
What is the matter? Who are
these men? he painted. Fire! thieves!
o! l must be dreaming.
Don't make noise, love, said
voice from the parlor window, they
are only the house painters.
House-painters!
Yes, dear. Don't you know the
Dutch proverb, "a coat of paint pays
itself?
Peter breathed again.
But the awfu. expense! he said.
Dear, dear, you should have consult
ed me.
He stumbled into the house and