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

But you forget, husband, that he
has worn it long time; he really de-
serves anew one"
Hard times, Mrs. Browne, hard
times. Money is rs tight as-as the
bark of a tree. | have hard work to get
a cent, or to keep one after have got
it"
:" don't think Jesse has drawn very
heavily Or your purse, for the child has
had scarcely anything this WINTER"
added the wife.
"Mrs. Browne, coal is ten dollars Il
ton! Don't speak of new caps i'll these
hard times"
" High, certainly, but"
"Anl wood the same ii cord Its
exhorbitant!" interrupted Mr.. Browne,
growing warm with his subject.
But the children must have boots
and shoes and clothes just the same rs
though fuel was lower. Those are
necessary articles that cannot be dis
pensed with.
You must cconomize, wife, Mend
up the old clothes, and send the boots
to the shoemaker; a patch or two won't
hurt the looks much, and makes them
almost as good as new" advised Mr..
Browne, who was very particular about
wearing mended clothes himself; a darn,
in his estimation being sufficient to con
denim coat or a vest.
al was hoping to be able 10 get the
girls new bonnets this winter, for their
present ones have been III wear two
seasons already; but ! suppose they
will have to 60 without" continued the
wife, in disappointed tone.
Ofcourse they will! Clark tells me
that flour was twelve twenty-five yester-
day. ] wonder what the country is
coming toW
But the poor will feel these high
prices more than we do. Think how
much less we shall be incom-
NODDED by them than poor widows with
large families of small children. We
must try and help sick Mrs. Wilson
this month; the last time | was il she
had but u miserable fire, though the
day was bitter cold. She would feel very
grateful for little wood, rejoned be-
nevolcnt Mrs. Browne, who had given
the woman in question many a good
dinner.
"Charity begins at home, especially
when beetstcak is a shilling pound,
and other meats in proportion" re-
piled the husband emphatically, leaning
over and lighting cigar by the glow
ing anthracite, and then, tipping his
chair back to an easy position, amused
himself by putting out the smoke in
heecy columns.
Mr.. Browne, how much did that
cigar costs' asked his wife.
The individual addressed didn't APP
pear to be sensible that he had been
spoken to until the question was re-
reated.
How much did this cigar cost, did
YOU ask? Four cents only, and cheap
at that. Exquisite ilayor Smith says
he never had the luck to get such a
delicious brand before, and | mean"
"You never SIN oke less than five q
day, husband, and sometimes more"
she continued, in the same quiet way.
THAT'S moderate number, Mrs.
Browne. Some people make nothing
ofsmoking dozen. What would you
say if /"
Give cigars at four cents each
amount to twenty cents, and seven
times twenty is dollar and forty. AL
most nine shillings u week for smoke.
Mr.. Browne! Did it ever occur to you
hat the money might be more profit
ably spent-in purchasing a new cap
for Jesse, for instance, or buying Mrs.
Wilson u few groceries every week III
Mr.. Browne suddenly bethought him
self Of 4 most pressing engagement,
and left the house without answering
this pertinent inquiry. His wife smiled
meaningly and went on sewing. She had
heard a good deal about "hard times"
for several months, and had had
economy preached to her, until, prud-
ent and saving as she undoubtedly was,
the word had become disagreeable 70
her ears. Mr.. Browne was entirely will
ing to practice this commendable virtue
when he could do so without interfering
with his comfort; but unfortunately for
his wife and children, this did not often
occur. In fact, he loved his ease, and
would do without nothing that gratitied
his palate or administered to his enjoy
ment in any other way. His clothes
must be of the best material; and made
upin the most fashionable style, NJ mat
ter what it cost; but Mrs. Browne and
the children might wear theirs till they
were threadbare, although their manu-
facture originally was no outlay to him,
his wife being mandy" at her needle,
and not unwilling to turn tailoress Or
dressmaker once or twice q year to save
expense. But now Mrs. Browne
aueried-fas me had often done before