Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-12-13

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self denial on his part would not do
rather more good than the continual
cry oi hard times, and You must nrac
ice economy, my dear
She asked herself ii few practical
hints would not serve u good purpose
in reminding him that practice was
better than preaching, and taat ex.
ample Went farther with most people
than advice. The subject was still in
her thoughts, when /. domestic entered
the room and said
There's Il sofa come, MA am; where
will il go2'
"A sofa, there's some mistake, l
think, replied Mrs. Browne, stepping
to the door; but the man was So sure
that il was the right place that she al
lowed him to bring il i'll, although puz-
Iled to know what Mr.. Browne wanted
of another sofa, MS they already owned
good one; and as times were hard
and money scarce il did not look reason
able that he would spare twenty-five or
more dollars FIR needless article Of
furniture.
But her doubts were dspelled when
tea-time came, and with 1t Mr.. Browne.
80 the sofa got here before me, he
remarked, as his eyes rested upon the
new purchase. Have You examined
il, Sarah ?"
No, for suppose it was sent here by
mistake
"It's all right, I'll tell You how it
was he resumed 81 looked in mt
Leonard's whenthis was being knocked
off to somebody for tritlc, 50 | over
bid him a dollar and got it myself. Only
twenty-six dollars for an elegant sofa
that undoubtedly cost fifty originally!
DO look at it, Mrs. Brownc4tine silk
velvet"
Mrs Browne did look at it, without
getting out Of her chair, or exhibiting
any more interest than she would have
done ingiancing at Il two shilling crick-
ct.
1t was too good bargain to lose,
and so | secured it. 1t occurred to me
that it would be capital thing to
lounge on when | smoke, and feel
sleepy, stupid. etc, besides being SO
convenient for YOU when you feel in
the mood of taking II nap" he con
tinued
Mrs. Browne looked ut the baby sit
ting on the floor, and then at the deep
work basket piled up high with the
family sewing (which Mr.. Browne had
decided he could not afford 10 have
done out, and thought her "naps"
would necessarily have to be short and
Il great way apart. She had shreMd
suspicion, too, that he had consulte his
own feelings more than her comfort,
but having II little scheme III coEtem-
plation she prudently forebore to say
So listening without offering much
comment to his eulogistic remarks
concerning the sofa. That evening was
a fair sample of several following eve
nings: Mr.. Brown smoked lolled, and
dozed alternately, and Mrs. Browne
sewed diligently III order to keep the
juvenile Brownies i'll whole clothes.
g saw man who had some fine
apples for sale, and | told him to bring
up barrel; has he done SoT inquired
the former, week or two afterwards.
"A man called with apples. but us
he demanded the modest sum Of five
dollars per barrel, declined buying
any, remembering that times We're hard
and money scarce" Mrs. Browne read
lily replied bending droll look upon
our economist who was remarkably
fond Of apple dumplings. Of necessity,
he had no argument ut hand half SO
cogent and powerful as this, SO the
apples were not again referred to.
thought We were to have Il roast
to-day" was his next remark when the
family were seated at the dinner, as he
took off first one cover and then anoth-
er without exposing anything that
looked very inviting
A good roasting piece, Mr.. Browne,
would have cost you one dollar and n
kalf, and | was not 50 eXtrayagant
as 70 suppose you would pay
that amount for piece Of meat,
when fish is so much cheaper.
Don't for a moment suppose, husband,
that Pm so thoughtless and improvident
as to spend money in that way, when
I've had so many lessons on retrench-
ment, responded roguish Mrs. Browne,
demurely filing plate Of fish for the
youngest boy"
"But | love roast beef better than
this" grumbled the latter, gathering
courage from his fathers Disconnected
expression to express his own dissatis-
faction.
But it il expensive, my DEAR said
his mother Your father mas no mo-
ney to waste, so we must be as saving
nd as contented as we can.
Mr.. Browne suddenly helped himself
plentifuly to the piscatoral food; An
act that greatly stimulated the boys
appetite, which was governed III great
measure by his fathers example.
Pm ready for pie. mother" said the
lad. alter he had disnatchnd n SECOND