The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-03
Precept and Practice,
Lot US remember this.


All quiet; bright fire burning in the
polished stove; the pussy y-cat purring sleep
lily on the rug the clock ticking, like silver
drops of water on the mantelpiece; and
Mrs IVES needle glancing in and out of
her work like small ray of lightning. The
children were all tucked snugly up in bed,
for Mr.. julius Ives liked to be quiet when
he came homie from business, and Mrs.
Ives was the most devoted and obedient of
conjugal partners. 1t was an exquisitely
neat room-a room where the sweet home
element predominated in every nook and
corner-a room to which the tired business
man might look forward all day, q haven Of
rest and peace.
The clock struck eight; pussy stretched
herself drowsily before the fire, and Mr..
Ives laid down the paper with a prepara-
tory "Ahem !"
"And now, Melissa" he said, authori-
lively, 'you may bring me your house
bills"
Poor Mrs. Ives started in her chair as if
cannon-ball had ominously thundered into
| the silence of the cosy little apartment.
How much she dreaded the weakly recur-
renee of this domestic ukase was only
known to herself. 1t was the skeleton in
her closet-the one embittering element of
of her happy home life-the hunting ghost
that no diplomacy had yet enabled her to
exercise. Yet, like well l-trained wife as
she was she brought the tiny packet of
bills, and sat down meekly at her husbands
side.
She was pretty woman, tall and grace
full, with straight, regular features, rosy
cheeks, and soft, wistful eyes that looked
like brown velvet; woman whose hands
were always white and delicate, and whose
dresses always seemed to fit by magic.
Nor was Mr.. julius Ives disagreeable
specimen of mankind to look upon. He
was large and finely formed, with black
hair strongly disposed to curl at the ends,
and bright black eyes. Yet, nevertheless,
there was certain curve in Mr.. Ives upper
lip that savored somewhat of the impera-
tive mood.
"Butter again! that's five pounds we
have used within the week." moaned Mr..
Ives, checking off the various items of the
grocers bill with the little gold pencil that
hung at his watch-chain. my dear, does
Bridget grease the kitchen pans with but
ter?"
Mrs. Ives cheek glowed.
'sNow, julius, what is the use Of talking
in that sarcastic sort of way? You know
very well that family like ours cannot sub
sist on air-and you like to have all the
cooking very rich, you know"
'Rich I should think so. Ham-cod
fish. By the way, Melissa Jones says they
only buy meat three times week-have il
: cold every other day. His wife knows how
, to economize. suppose you haven't the
least idea what becomes Of the joints aftel
: they leave the table ?" ........ .s
IT have no doubt of Bridgets perfec
honesty, Jalius."
"Oh, no-of course not. But do think
Melissa, it is wife's duty to pay some
l attention to her husbands pocket"
I ""Why, our bills are not disproportionate
:. ly large, Julius" 4....,... 49,. u.
Y t'''They must be, my dear--they must be
Positively its enough to frighten one t.
| run over these items in the Housekeeping
!, accounts Sugar = raisins- oil oysters
!. Melissa, do keep restaurant If not
). where do all these thin gs go?"
Mrs. Ives was silent.