The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-05-12
SAVING MATCHES.
by j. X. NJ.


Iardley, with considerable severity in his
tone. at is very bad sign, indeed,
Matilda, with regard to our prosperity. If
one is not saving in these small matters,
no matter how large the income is, one can
never get on in life. have often spoken
Of having one of those mantel vases filled
with lamplighters, so we need not use so
many matches, but, for some reason, |
sorry to say it, Matilda, but we are run
ming behind in our affairs, and | must be
allowed to repeat remark | heard man
make yesterday, a man must ask his
wife leaves to thrive.''
So saying, Paul lighted his cigar with
the air of a man who has discharged a
weighty duty. He felt that he had admin
istered a very fitting rebuke to his wife's
wastefulness, and he walked away to his
shop completely satisfied with himself
Matilda went about her accustomed du-
ties with a slightly depressed air, as Aunt
Sylvia could not help observing.
Aunt Sylvia was making visit at the
house of her nephew, and could not he Up
taking mental notes of much that went on
around her.
She was Paurs mothers sister, and had
tried to do her duty by the boy when he
was growing up, but she felt that somehow
she had missed point or two.
She quietly resolved that she would do
her best to supplement former deficiencies
before she went home.
She would open Paul's eyes little, SO
that he might take ,juster view of himself
and his wife, if it were in her power to do
it.
Not being any of his " wife's relations"
it was easier for her to speak out.
Besides. she had few thousand dollars
to leave to somebody, and that gave weight
to her opinions among all her nephews and
nieces, not to speak of their parents.
So it happened, on that rainy evening,
as Matilda was hushing the badly to sleep
in the nursery, that Aunt Sylvia took oc-
casion to have little talk with Paul.
$50 business does not go exactly to your
mind these times, Paul" she remarked.
"Why no. auntie, not quite, not quite.
We ought to make another payment on
our house next month of fifty dollars, but
| can't raise five dollars"
" What is the trouble o.
" Business is dali, it costs great deal
to keep house. | am not sure but boarding
would be cheaper. | don't think Matilda
understands saving quite as well as she
ought. She does not mean to be waseful,
Of course, but little leaks sink ship
"Just like every man since Adams
time" said Aunt Sylvia, a little tartly.
Always ready to throw the blame Oh
woman. Now have been in your house
above a week, aud am of the opinion that
Matilda is a much more saving and prudent
wife than you Deserve
s. on always were hard Oh me, Aunt
Sylvia" SAID Paul, in an injured tone.
g None too hard for your good, Paul.
If Matilda was little more self asserting
and less patient with you it would be to
your advantage. blame her for putting
up with what you said this morning about
that match. She should have spoken her
mind to you plainly. Paul, how many
matches do you suppose one cigar would
buy? Hundreds. Thus, every time you
smoke cigar you waste, in reality, hun.
dreds of matches. If Matilda struck off
a whole box to light her fire it would not
begin 10 compare with your wastefulness.
know you do not smoke less than three
cigars a day. That is enough to keep
your w life in matches for weeks, if not for
months.
Now paper-lghters, she continued,
''are all very we'll when you have children
to make them. But a busy housekeeper's
time is too valuable for such work. You
remember the old proverb about saving at
the spigot. You would have your wife CON
tinually on the lookout about those infini
tesimal economies which save nothing,
while you squander dollars on triiles that
you could better do without.
1.-The loss of day to your business is
another great waste. How many weeks
pass without holiday of some sort >
Last week it was a journey by railroad,
which cost you three dollars fare, and
don't know how much more for dinner.
This week you know you hired horse to
go with friend into the country to see his
new place. When has Matilda taken even
half days boliday?'
" Bat woman's place is at home, aun,
tie," said Paul, rather vexed at eng cor
nered.
''And mans place is at his business
1t cannot go on all the same when he is
away from it-that is, if he has any ability
worth speaking of. Come, Paul, you must
learn to be more reasonable, or l shall have
cause to be ashamed of my share in your
bringing up. Drop this habit of looking
out for notes in your wife's eyes, and con-
slider the beam in your own eye.
$50 distinctly understand, my boy" said
Aunt Sylvia, with her decided shake of the
head which Paul knew so well, "not a
penny of mine ever goes for cigar money
or livery stable debts, except it is to take
wife and child out for drive. | am quite
willing to have you call on me for drive.
| am quite willing to have you call on me
for that supply once a week. | expressly
stipuiate that the customary cheque which
| send down on Christmas is to be spent to
the last penny on Matilda herself, and
am to have the privilege of looking over
her account book, with the items noted,
when | come again.
"She will not have the slightest obiec-
tions, and it will serve as check to your
teazing it all away from her. You see
don't forget how you used to teaze your old
auntie in former years, and l must try to
make amends to your wife for spelling her
SO badly"
The sound of weary little foot on the
stair put stop to further conversation,
and presently Matilda entered, and with all
haste brought down the sewing basket in
an absent way, and forthwith was immersed
in its contents.
Her fingers were nimble, in spite of the