The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-01-11

fair to institute comparison bttweel
her expenses and mine"
''oh, that's the way you women al
talkl' said Mt. Ives, lmpatiently
"All ! know Is that there must be
screw loose somewhere. You mus
economic.
"But, Julius"
"My love, don't you see I'm JUS
lighting my Cigar" can never smoke
when my mind Is any way disturbed
Suppose we dismiss the subject7 an
quite sure that have stated my wishes
on the subject with sufficient distinct
ness"
Mrs. Ives bit her coral lip ai d sewed
away vigorously on her work. But II
her thoughts could have descended ln a
shower. bath of words on Mr.. Julius
Ives devoted head; how they would
have startled him from the calm pla.
cency OF his mood
Eyes, I'll economize," thought Mrs.
Melissa, vindictively digging the thread
through the seams. "I'll give him
enough Of re;renchment;'why will man
relinqulsh his dignity so far as to inter.
fere In matters he cannot possibly un-
derstandl ! wonder IL he thinks nine
persons live on pint of milk and two
baked potatoes day2 ] wonder II he
knows that I make all the puddings and
pies, aud give out the tea and coffee,
and superinteLd everything myself?"
He might know, II he would take the
trouble to inquire, instead Of indulglng
In sweeping denunclations. l wonder
If he ever suspects that l trim my own
bonnets and make my own dresses, and
make my little ones clothes, and save
necessary outlays? It's almost enongh
to make woman wish she had never
got marTiedl"
But then Melissa thought Of the rosy
little ones fast asleep upstairs, and
concluded on the whole there were
some sunbeams In her lot.
"Hallo. ElmerI Why, surely, this Is
not you?"
"Well, don't know who else it can
be-" coolly remarked the handsome;
bronz d looking gentleman, WHO had
lounged into Mr.. Ives Office. "And
I've brought Harry Lamarque with me
you remember him. don't you?"
Remember him Il should think 30.
And we haven't met before since our
college days. Well, / declare; this is a
curious coincldencel You'll both Of
you promise to come and dine with me
to day at five O'Clock, won't your Come
I'm sure you haven't any other en-
gagemeut, and III introduce you to my
wife,"
I'm come" said Elmer promptly;
land III engage to bring Lsmarque
with me-"
"But you are not going?"
IL must-I've no end Of business Ia
transact; but we'll have a regular chat
at dinner, old boy"
Melissa had hardly despatched her
little band of chubby faced chiIdred to
school that morning, when the Office.
boy came knocking at the door, with a
note.
"From Mr.. ives, ma am, there aIn't
no answer
The note ran as follows:-
81 shall bring two old cullege mates
Elmer and Lamarque, to dinner. Lei
1t be on the table promptly at six.
Your affectiOnate Julius."
Mrs. Ives f'lded up the note aud de-
posted It in her desk with cOmical
smile lowering around her mouth.
ECONOMY is the order OF the day, she
thought.
1t was a bleak day toward the end Of
December with raw wind, aud sky
overladen with clouds: and Mr.. Ives
nose was decidedly tlnged with blue
as he ushered his two shlverlng guests
into the pa rlcr.
"Walk In, gentlemen-walk In and
warm yourselves" he said, with hos
pltsble favor, rubbing his hands.
But contrary to oil his expectations
contrary to the usual domestic arrange.
ments prevailing In that household,
there was no FIRE In the stove-ths sir
was as damp and chilly as that OF a
masoleum.
Julius bit his lip and repressed the
rather demonstrative expression that
was rising to his tongue.
"Be seated, gentlemen; will recti.
fy this mistake Immediately" he said,
leaving the room.
"How is this? No fre, and the room
like an ice-welll" was his petulent
exclamatiOni as he met his wife In the
hall.
"Coal is seven dollars a ton, Julius |;
it is necessary for US to ecOnOmize,"
said Melissa demurely.
"Send the maid this minute to kindle
a fire." said Julius, his teeth chatter.
ing,
"Ard-my dear you are surely not
going into the room in that faded old
dress?"
"Of course l am. My best silk is
beginning to wear and as can't affOrd
another, ! must be as economical as
possible"
Julius Ives made queer grimace; he
didn't at all like the idea Of swallowiDg
his own words. And Melissa walked
into the presence OF his friends, faded
old dress aud all.
"Six O'clock-isn't dinner nearly