Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-02-23

catory; but he prayed mostly for the
heather, Jews and such like, and did
not refer TO the Democrats, and only
once-just after the heathen--allud.
ed to our suffering country. gi afa
When William came up to dinner
he said returns were pouring in from
all quarters, telling of Democratic
victories, and said +: "William I've
been thinking the matter over, and l
do believe it would be the best econ
omy to buy fur cloak. Everybody
is wearing fur. It might cost more
at first, but it wo Id be cheapest in
the end; fur is 30 durable."4 49,.
"How much will it cost?"
"Mrs. fuckers sealskin sacque was
5000 last winter; but I don't teel as
if, in our circumstances, we can at
tord that. Furs are cheaper than last
fall, and l think / could get a good
desirable article, not so rich as some,
but still good enough for people in
our circumstances, for $780,"
"Um!" said father.
| William had taken out blank
check and was rejecting, when in
whisked the President of the Demo-
ocratic Club, and said that Florida
and South Carolina had gone for
Tfden, and William was wanted at
the club-room to see about the illu-
mination. He filled out the check,
and l Immediately went down town
and selected the cloak.
That evening shade of anxiety
a scarcely perceptible tinge of melan-
choly-had settled on Williams
countenance, while fathers neuralgia
was better. William asked if had
done anything about my cloak, and
if hadn't he should suggest waiting
awhile; furs might be cheaper. He
said when l asked him about it, that
the illumination had been postponed.
The next morning heard the boys
in the street screaming that Hayes
was elected, and when | went down,
father was sitting on the front stairs
coatless, and with his vest on one
shoulder, while William balanced
Himself on the edge of the hat-stand.
Both patriots were stocking footed.
They had just taken in the morning
papers. Very little conversation was
made at the breakfast table, but faith
er was extremely polite to William,
and said he did not know when he
had eaten buckv heat cakes that tast-
ed so much as they did when he WAS
boy.
At noon William didn't stay to
dessert, but father, having eaten his
own pudding, drew Williams untast-
ed p ate to himself.
The tears were yelling to my eyes,
and father kindly inquired why l
wept.
"I've been thinking that my old
hat fixed over won't look at all suita-
BILE with my new cloak, but William
is so blue | can't bear to ask him for
more m ,ney.
| "Mercy on mel" said father, "don't
cry over a bonnet. Go down and
get what you want, and bring me the
bill.
NV hat was to be of seal brown.
1.-TWO or three feathers?" asked the
milliner. l thought of the hundreds
out of employment, OF the destitution
and want the winter would behold,
of the vanity and pride OF dress, but
while hesitated newsboy, just out
with the afternoon papers, Yelled
''Florida and Louisiana both sure for
Hayes!" l knew how father would
feel, and said: "Oh, three, certain.
ly."
For two or three days there was a
look, not SO much of pure melanchol-
ly as of gloom, wrath and vengeance
commingled in Williams counte-
nance, aud he sprlnkled pepper on
his beetsteak fearfully. Father said
he awaited the action Of the Louisi-
ana Returning Board with confidence
/ in their integrity, and slpped his tea
with spoon. never before knew
father to sip his tea with spoon in
my life.
BY and by it was reported that the
electors names had been omitted
from Republican votes i'll Louisiana,
and father said there was 4 chill i'll
these November days that struck to
the very marrow, and William said
he intended to arrange his business
SO that he could spend two or three
weeks of winter in some Southern
cline, say in Georgia and Louisiana.
That afternoon went shopping, and
at tea-tine laid on the cloth four or
five samples of seal-brown merino.
"William," SAID /, "which of those
do you call the best piece of gocds?"
His opinion coincided with mine.
l held two bits off at distance.
''Ever 50 many women that | know
have dresses off that piece" said |.
:. | laid the bits down and sighed.
Then l held them off again and said:
"How dreadful it is to be poor"
"If you want dress so badly, get
it, Mary Ann" said William.
81 really don't know As in our cir
cumstances l ought" said |.
eff there is anything hate to see,
it is shabbily dressed w"man-get
it," So, i'll order to satisfy William,
had to get the merino.
Since that time Hayes has been
sometimes elected and sometimes
Tilden. All DISCUSSES have fallen
off in our f.mily, and although my
father and William treat each other
with forced politeness, such words
as corruption" "n,gger, "BULLDoz-
ED" have become familiar language
in what ouce hoped would be re-
tiAed Christian household.
"William." said l, as l rang for
more baked potatoes one morning,
IL never allowed myself to read the
Beecher scandal--much rs wanted
to-and if it was worse than this, l
am glad l didn't"
One day, when Louisiana went tor
Hayes, father promised me new
parlor carpet. If the question isn't