Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-04-18

Wnen nS DIOupuL IL up, hau He SaIu
had risen to forty eight cents. Mr.. Will
kins got twenty dozen OF eggs some time
ago for twenty cents dozen. and hi:
wife packed them down, and they KEEP
we'll You will have to pay Mr.. Wal
dron forty-fve cents for those he sent
up Yesterday"
Charles Matthews was somewhat as
tonished at this view OF the case. but il
could not be helped now, and the subject
was dropped. His gold chain had lost
its charm. 1t did not look so well, even
in his own eyes, as the old black cord
which he had worn before.
At length the end of the quarter came
around. The first bill was the rent,
which amounted to twenty one dollars.
The next was the butchers bill of thirty
six dollars. Charles was astonished 10
see how his meat bill footed up. But
when he saw how many steaks he had
had at thirty cents a pound. the cause oi
the wonder disappeared. Next be paid
the bakers bill, which was thirteen dol.
lars. When he came home in the evening
he had paid all his bills excep! the
grocery bill.
Mr.. Waldron sent his bill today" his
wife said, after supper.
"Ah. did he? let me see it,
Hannah brought it and Charles looked
lie was astonished at It's length, and
when he came to look at the bottom OF
the column his lace turned q shade pale.
1t footed up Just sixty.hve dollars-an
average of five dollars week.
This is impossitle!n he exclaimed, as
he gazed upon it. But he examined the
different articles, and be could remember
when he had ordered them. Those
things which had cost him only dollar,
looked very innocent when viewed alone,
but in The aggregate they had very
different look.
"lIow much shall we lay up this quar-
ter, Charles?" kindly asked his wife, as
-he came aud leaned over his shoulder,
aud smoothed the hair from his brow.
How much shall We lay up?' he re-
peated. Not much. Get the slate and
10; US reckon up" He was resolved to
be frank about the matter and let his
wife know all.
The slate was brought. First, she pat
down one hundred and tifty-six dollars
as the quarters salary. Then came the
rent and tue butcher and the baker,
Now you put down thirteen dollars
for the chaiu-and twelve dollars for
sundries-that means cigars, concerts
and such things. Now take all that from
my quarters salary and see how much
remains"
She did 50. and gave ftty-two dollars
as the result.
"Filty.two dollarsm uttered Charles,
sitting back in his chair. land we have
not bought one article OF clothing nor OF
furniture. Fifty.two dollars with which
to pay sixty. five. There is thirteen dol
lars short this quarter, and | meant to
save at least thirty dollars"
"Well, iI's no use to mourn over 1t, "
said the vile, 10 a cheerful tone, for she
saw that her husband felt badly. Let
US commence again. There is nothing
like trying. you know"
For some moments Charles remained
silent. He gazed first upon the bill he
held in his hand; then upon the floor.
At last he spoke.
"Hanuah, see where the trouble is.
aud must freely admit that have been
wrong. II | had paid Tor everything as
| bought it | should have hit it. You
were right. 1 see it all now. have
not estimated the value OF money as
ought. Let me once get up again 10
where | began, aud will do differently
must step down 10 the store this even
ing and pay the rest as soon as get it,
That matter is easily settled" she
replied, "ior have money by me thai
had when | was ma rried."
he protested most earnestly against
taking his wite's money, but she insisted
on giving him the money. It was hel
will. and be must submit. So he went
down and paid the grocery bill. and or
his way home he sold his gold chain fol
thirteen dollars. He ielt happier now
and was ready 70 commence the mex
quarter.
On the next Monday morning lht
young man went into the meat store tt
send home piece of beef for dinner.
How much will you haves" asked th'
butcher.
20, three or four
Charles got thus far, and then h'
stopped. He had always be,'n in th'
habit of ordering an indefinite quantity
and leaving the butcher to cut 1t of q
the highest figure, and charge the .Gghes
price; and then he remembered hov
much was usually wasted.
LET me have two pounds" he said
He stopped and saw it weighed and the
paid for it.
When he went home st noon, he foun
that his two pounds oil beef was enougl
for good dinner. The next morning h
went 10 the store. Mr.. Waldron ha
some nice figs just come in which h