The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-02-14

why our bills are not disproportionately
large, julius
They must be, my dear-they must be-
Positively its enough to frighten one to run
over these items in the housekeeping ac-
counts Sugar-rasins-oil-o Me.
lissa, do keep restaurant? If not, where
do all these things gof'
Mrs. Ives was silent.
'Bread-steaks --joint-two tons of coal
Upon my word 7
Still Mrs, Ives maintained complete taci
turnity.
Melissa said her husband, placing the
bills rather empatically on the table, we
must turn over new leaf-we must posi-
lively economize. Can't you retrench ex.
pensesp
| How p
In thousand ways, my dear. Why, my
mother never spent half the money you con-
trive to spend, and there was twelve Of
u.s.
Your mother lived on farm, Julius.
The milk, butter, cheese and vegetables
were from her farm and dairy-the meat
and poultry we're from her own barnyard and
pasture don't think it fair to institute a
comparison between her expenses and
mine
Oh that's the way you women all talk 7
said Mr.. Ives impatiently. All know is,
that there is screw loose somewhere. You
must economize.'
But, Julius
MY love, don't you see I'm just lighting
my cigar? can never smoke when my
mind is in any way disturbed. Suppose we
dismiss the subject lam quite sure have
stated my wishes on the subject with sufici-
ent distinctness.'
Mrs. Ives bit her lip and sewed away
vigorously on her work. But if her thoughts
could have descended in shower bath OF
words on Mr.. Julius Ives head, how they
would have startled him from his calm COM
placency
'Yes. I'll economize,' thought Mrs. Me-
lissa, ,vindictively digging the thread through
the seams. tTll give him enough of re.
treuchment. Why will man relinquish
his dignity so far as to interfere in matters
he cannot possibly understand 1 wonder
if he thinks nine persons live on pint of
milk and two baked potatoes day won
der if he knows that 1 make all the pud-
dings and pies, and give out the tea and
coffee, and superintend everything-every-
thing myself? He might know, if he
would take the trouble to find out instead of
indulging in sweeping denuncistions won
derif he suspects that I trim my own bonnets,
and make my own dresses, and make my little
ones clothes, and save unnecessary outlay ?
It's almost enough to make one wish they
had never got married.
But then Melissa thought of the rosy lit.
tie ones fast asleep up stairs, and concluded
that on the whole there were so many sun
beams in her lot
Hello, Elmer Why, surely this is not
your
We'll, Idon't know who else it can be,
coolly remarked the handsome, bronzed
looking gentleman, who had lounged into
MIR. Ives Office. And I've brought Harry
Lamarque with me. You remember him
don't you p
Remember him-should think so. And
we haven't met before since our college days
Well, declare; this is curious coincidence
You'll both of you promise to come and
dine with me to-day at five o'clock, won't
you? Come, Inn sure you haven't any
other engagement, and I'll introduce you tc
my wife,
IN come, said Elmer promptly, and III
engage to bring Lsmarque with me-
But you are not going?
Il must-I have no end of business tc
transact but we'll have a regular chat al
dinner, old boy
Melissa had hardly despatched her little
band of chubby-faced children to school
that morning, when the Office boy came
knocking at the door with note.
From Mr.. Ives, ma'am, there amt nc
answer
The note ran as follows
| "I shall bring two old college mates, Ell
mer and Lamsrque, to dinner. Let it be or
the table promptly at six. Your affection.
ate JULIUS,
Mrs. Ives folded up the note and deposited
it in her desk with a comical smile hoverinf
around her mouth.
Economy is the order of the day sh,
thought.
1t was bleak day toward the end of De
cember, with a raw wind and sky over lad
en- with clouds !; and Mr.. Ives nose was de
cidedly tingled with blue as he ushered hi
two shivering guests into the parlor.
Walk in, gentlemen-walk in and warn
yourselves, he said rubbing his hands witt
hospitable fervor. '... .r.
But contrary to all his expectations, con
trary to the usual domestic arrangement
prevailing in that household, there was n
fire in the stove--the air was as damp an,
chilly as that of mausoeum.
| Julius bit his lip and repressed the rathe
demonstrative expression that was rising O.
his tongue.
BE seated, gentlemen, l will rectify thi
mistake Immediately he said, leaving th
room.
How is this ? No fire and the room lik
an ice-well' was his petulant exclamation q
he met his wife in the hall.
Goal is seven dollars ton, julius
is necessary for US to economize,' said Nj
lissa, demurely.
Send the maid this minute to kindle
fire. said Julius, his teeth chsttering.
'And-my dear, you are surely not goin
> into the room in that faded old dress?
'Of course am. My best silk is begil
I. ing to wear, and as / can't afford anothe
y l must be as economical as possible
Julius Ives made queer grimace;
didn't at all likethe idea of swallowing b