The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-06-20

oil to somebody Tor trfie, so oVer-Dlu
him dollar and got it myself. Only
twenty-six dollars for an elegant sofa
that undoubtedly cost fifty, originally.
Do look at it, Mrs. Browne-fne silk
velvetl"
She did look at il, but without getting
out of her chair, or exhibiting any more
interest than she would have done in
glancing at two shilling cricket.
It was too good bargain 10 lose,
and so l secured IL. It occurred to me
that it would be a capital thing to lounge
on when / smoke, and feel sleepy, stupid,
etc, besides being so convenient for you
when you feel in the mood 10 take
nap" he continued.
Mrs. Browne looked at the baby sitting
on the floor, and then At the deep work
basket, piled mp high with the family
sewing (which Mr. Browne had decided
he could not afford to have done outl,
and thought her maps" would neees-
sarily have TO be short and a great way
apart. She had shrewd suspicion, too,
that he had consulted his own feelings
more than her comfort, but having lit
tie scheme in contemplation, she pru-
IDENTIFY forebore 10 say so, listening with
| out much comment ~ his eulogistic re-
marks concerning the sofa. That evening
was fair sample Of several following
evenings. Mr.. Browne smoked, lolled,
and dosed alternately, and his wife sewed
diligently in order to keep the Juvenile
Brownies in whole clothes.
" / saw man who had some fine APP
Piles for sale, and l told him 10 bring up
"a barrel; has he done so?" inquired the
former, q week or two afterwards
:" A man called with apples, but as he
demanded the modest sum of five dollars
per barrel, / declined buying any, re-
membering that times were hard and
money scarce" Mrs. Browne readily re-
piled, bending a droll look upon our
economist, who was remarkably fond Of
apple dumplings. OF necessity, he had
no argument at hand half so cogent and
powerful as this, so the apples were not
again referred to.
" thought we we're to have roast to-
day" was his next remark. when the
family were seated ut dinner, as he took
of first one cover and then another with
out exposing anything that seemed to
look very inviting.
"A good roast, Mr.. Browne, would
have cost you a dollar and half. and
was not so extrnvagant as to suppose
you would pay that amount for n piece
of meat, when fish is so much cheaper
Don't for n moment suppose, husband,
that I'm so thoughtless and imprOyident
as to spend money in that way, when
I've had so many lessons ON retrench-
ment, responded roguish Mrs Browne,
demurely, fixing plate Of fish for the
youngest boy.
But / like roast beef better than
this" grumbled the latter. gathering
courage from his fathers discontented
expression to express his own dissatis-
faction.
But it is expensive, my dear, said
the mother. - Your father has no
money to waste. so We must be as saving
and content as we can.
Mr.. Browne suddenly helped himself
plentifully to the piscatorial food, an act
that greatly stimulated the boys apPe-
tite, which was governed in a great
measure by the fathers example.
I'm ready for pie, mother" said the
lad, after he had dispatched a second al
lowance Of the principal dish.
No pie to-day, my dear. The apples
Sost so much / couldn't buy them, and
eggs are twenty-five cents dozen. We
must go without pies and puddings,
children, until things are cheaper
Think of the little Wilson boys, Charlie;
how glad they would be for a plate of
that nice fish"
When am to have a new cap,
mother" ;" broke in Jesse.
Just as soon as your father can
afford TO buy you one, replied Mrs.
Browne. ~ You must not be impatient,
my son, for he has great many things
to get, and don't like 10 be troubled
with our applications. Recolleet these
are hard times and we must do without
what is not needed very much, and not
find fault with simple dinners, because
it viii make it so much easier for him il
our market bills are not so large as they
used to be. Self-denial, jesse, is a good
quality, and cannot be too much prac-
ticed by little boys"
Mrs. Browne talked to the children
and at Mr.. Brown method, we be-
!! heye, which has been practiced before.
But though every word that she uttered
had meaning, and he felt the full force
of them, he could hardly suppress a
smile at the facility with which she en-
ployed his own method of reasoning, and
her aptness in turning the point of his
own weapons against himself.
II Mr.. Browne got no roast beef or poul-
try that week; soups, vegetables and
other simple and cheap dishes made up
the bill Of fare, and Mrs Browne began
TO talk seriously of substituting less ex-
pensive coffee for the delicious Mocha
which the prudent head of the family
took 50 much comfort in slipping each
morning.
The nice sandwiches and tongue that
generally graced the tea-table had mystic
riously vanished, and the rich cake and
fine favored preserves had probably
kept them company. Common tub but
ter was also made to take the place of
the sweet, neatly stamped Jumps he
had been in the habit of eating; for his
careful wife had hit upon the fact that
she should save precisely thirteen cents
on the pound by the change.
OF truth, Mr.. Browne was in a straight
place. Every day or two he was called
on to give up something that tended to
his qualification, although perhaps not
essential to his happiness. It positively
appeared as if Mrs. Browne had put her
wits at work to see in how many ways
she could retrench.
His linen, which had formerly been
sent to a laundry (he always prided him
self on the smoothness it was there sure
to receive) was now washed and ironed
at home, minus the gloss. And why
Because it could be done in the house at
| no extra axDansa and as times were hard