The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-01-13
"Ah and sugar and tea and coffee"
"If Won indulge in such luxuries, what

"If 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. 40. shudder when
Hook at those founces. Such waste of
material"
"Pve often thought So" said Peter.
"And you don't wear themF'
"I?" said Mrs. Barlow. "I have my
senses, sir. I've no wish to die in a
work-house. Pve had this dress ten
years."
Indeed" said Peter. "And I sup
pose some ladies buy one every month" !"
"Every ten days." said Mrs. Barlow.
40, 1 blush for my sex, Mr.. Buskirk, l
do, indeed"
Peter was charmed. He began to
think Mrs. Brown right. The cost of such
a wife would be mere trife, and what
an eye she would keep to the expenses of
the household;
Ere the evening was over he had de-
cided that it would be cheaper to marry
than to remain single, were Mrs. Barlow
his helpmate.
"She'd not only be saving herself, but
she would check me in my little extraya-
gances," said he. "She would be in
valuable to me. She wears one dress ten
years. The fates must have sent her to
earth for my special benefit.
So, after due consideration, Peter re-
solved to court the economical widow,
and, that lady being conveniently domi-
ciled at Mrs. Browns he found every op-
portunity.
1t was very inexpensive courtship.
He gave her not present. She expected
none. He 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, az am afraid to say yes,
Mr.. Buskirk. like you; but you are so
terribly extravagant. You drink tea
and coffee, and eat butter, and really 1
should fear coming to want, l should, in
deed"
all Why I'm the most economical
soul living" said Peter.
Extravagant people always think
that" said the lady, "No, Pm 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 a care that really I
could scarcely desire it, even for gen.
tleman so much respect"
And the economical relict blushed and
hesitated.
1t was Peters turn to pause and con-
slider. He went away to do so, and, re-
turning suddenly to his house, found his
servant-maid selling dripping to man.
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 moan.
"Marry me, and keep me from being
ruined"
What the widows answer was may be
judged from the fact that three weeks
from that day they were united, the
clergyman receiving five shillings from
Peter, and the bride wearing her brown
merino, in the pocket of which she care
fully deposited the deeds which made the
property exclusively her own.
"Now for happiness" said Peter. " Nc
more thieving servants-no more waste
and lovely wife into the bargain. He
he, hel Peter Buskirk is the man fol
luck"
And he took his bride home to dine
on cold meat and radishes, being abso
lutely ashamed even to speak of his &C
customed mutton chop before so economi
cal a lady.
The next morning he hurried off tc
business.
"Never waste time, love-" said ths
newly married dame. "Besides I've s
great deal to attend to so goodbye"
Goodbye" responded Peter. " What
treasure you are, my dear. The wash
ing, 1 suppose? My mother always
washed on Monday"
And away he went, content with him
self and all the world.
At six he returned. Horror of hor
rors! there were ladders against hi
house, and men upon them. Had ther'
been fire? He rushed up, breathless
"What is the matter? Who are thes,
men? ?" he painted. "Fire thievesl OF
must be dreaming"
"Don't make a noise, love-" said +.
voice from the parlor window. "They'r
only the house painters"
"House-painters!"
eyes, dear. Don't you know tn
Dutch proverb, A coat of paint pays ii
self p"
Peter breathed again.
"But the awful expensep he said
"Dear, dear, you should have consulte
me-"
He stumbled into the house and owe
the form of man kneeling in the hal
"Who are you" he asked.
In reply the person produced car
on which was printed, "Gilt & Binde
Upholsters."
"And what are you doing?" gaspe
Peter.
Measuring the hall for new oi
cloth, sir" said the man.
T Peter staggered on.
= A woman was making up carpet
the front parlor; another was arran
ing curtains.
He rushed up stairs.
. There sat another woman also
: work.
= Again he gasped the question, "Wl
are yOu~
"Mrs. Buskirks regular seamstre
: please, sir" said the woman.
y "And where is Mrs. Buskirk ?"
L "Here, love-" said voice.
;. And there entered, from the adjoini
z room, lady dressed in silk, and in e
Q pansive crinoline, with bracelets, brooc
earrings, and little lace cap worth
small fortune.
J; "The furniture is ordered, and t
y y painters are here, and Pve engaged
u the servants, Mr.. Buskirk, said the lad
L "and the cook wants to know wheth
Il Il you like beef under or well done.
j = such things you shall have your choi
!. always. There was no time to make
,t pudding to-day, SO we must have ic
~ ~ Strawberries, too, are only two shillir
y basket"
"Mrs. Buskirk, have you gone crazy
cried Peter, or am dreaming?"
n- "Pm wide awake, at all events" cri
y: the lady. "Pve starved long enou!