The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-11-17

F | ''%AH ~ SS%NA9AhSS W NV tAo w.
"Well, if you can afford to use every
thing common and live in style all The
time, you will get along, but we should
come upon the town." said Mrs Lane
little sharply.
An expression of pain fitted acros;
Mrs. Darling's face when she saw how
her friend had misunderstood her, but
she went on quietely:
ST did not begin housekeeping in this
way. used to think that mEst shut
up the font of the house aud keep the
best of everything sacred to company
So we occupied the smallest, least pleas
ant roonrs ourselves, used the plainest
and hom!iest things and even ate our
coarsest food when alone.
"The consequence was we were never
ready to receive company unless in the
most formal way, and then it always
made great deal OF trouble. We never
could appreciate any Of those agreea-
bic surprises when our friends dropped
in unannounced, and when trying to
entertain, guests were reyer so fully at
ease in onr strange, unused rooms as
really to enjoy it much.
81 thought the matter over ard made
up my mind that this was all wrong.
| Ny dear husband was doing everything
he could to make our home pleasant
and attractive, while I was Just keep
ing hlm from enjoying it, as he desired,
by my miserable ambition to appear
well in the eyes of those who would
Eevcr thank me for my pains. I was
making him uncomfortable aud worry
ing out my lie tor those who lad com
para'iveIy no claims upon me and be-
sides l was forced to see myself
wicked lsypocr;te, forced to admit that
my whole life was a farce, while / was
all tile time straini,,g every nerve to
make our friends think we were living
in a style which we were not, and I
saw this could not be right.
81 resolved it should be 10 lNger.
So | opened the parlor doors and threw
back the shutters, used whatever we
had Of furniture or food, or clothing as
we needed it for our comfort, and when
our friends came to visit US, | would
not allow myself to spoil my joy at
seeing them, by doing lot of extra
work on their account, or worrying all I
the time lest I should leave something
undone tliat might make them think a
little better OF me
cot course it seemed odd enough,
and came rather hard at first, but was
satisfied that it was the best way, and
50 kept schooling myself into it till in
a little while l won Tered how l Lave
done otherwise
81 am always ready for company
now, and always ready to receive my
husband with a smiling face to a pleas
art and orderly home.
81 know he has been great deal
happier since tie first year, and never
half enjoyed anything tLen
"The effect upon our children is
much better than If we taught them
that it is no matter how things are, if
there are no visitors, for they learn noY
how to behave with proprioty at all
times, and how to use things that are
worth preserving.
II always pity people when ] see
them trying to make a little display
before their company, pity them for the
thankless labor they are giving them
selves, and for the glimpse of their /
private life which is just open to me,
because am quite sure that such folks
live about as it Lappei.s when alonen ]
Mrs. Lanes face had changed cx-
preston several times as she listened,
and when her friend ceased speaking, t
she gazed at picture on the wall OPP q
posite her fer a full half minute in I
silence.
sYou would bc SURPRISED" Mrs
Darling went on, anticipating her first
objection. eff should tell you that
this mode of living is matter of econ
omy, toe, but such is the fact.
''You see we set 2 plain table, and
our food is simple all he time. instead 3
Of getting expensive luxuries for com
pany, and then pinching ourselves III
.he vain effort to make it up
'sThis makes our table expenses
actually less, while we treat ourselves
As well as we do our guests which is
perfect justice, as you viii see.
"Good substantial furniture will last
4 long time with little care, even I
when in constant use, and if our ex- .
penses in this particular are little /