The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-03

stil Mrs, Ives maintained complets
taciturnity.
Melissa" said her husband, placing the
bills rather emphatically ON the table, 1--WE
must turn over new leaf-we must, posi-
lively Can't you retrench expenses? ?"
"How?"
''In thousand ways my dear, Why,
my mother never spent half the money you
contrive to spend, and there was twelve Of
u.s."
''Your mother lived on farm, julius
The milk, butter, cheese and vegetables
we're from her flrm and dairy = the
meat and poultry were from her own barn.
yard and pasture. I don't think it fair to
institute a comparison between her expenses
| and mine"
ooh, that's the way you women all talk !"
said Mr.. Ives, impatiently. "An know is
that there must be screw loosesomewhere.
You must economize."
''But, julius"
''My love, don't you see I'm just light
ing my cigar? I can never smoke when
my mind is any way disturbed. Suppose
we dismiss the subject? I am quite sure
that have stated my wishes on the subject
with sufficient distinctness."
Mrs, Ives bit her coral lip and sewed
away vigorously On her work. But if her
thoughts could have descended in shower
bath of words on Mr. JuEns Ives devoted
head, how they would have startled him
from the calm placency of his mood!
eyes, I'll economize," thought Mrs.
Melissa, vindictively digging the thread
through the seams. ''Ill give him enough
of retrenchment, Why will man relin-
quish his dignity SO far as to interfere in
matters he cannot possibly understand I
wonder if he thinks nine persons live on a
pint of milk and two baked potatoes day?
/ wonder if he knows that make all the
puddings and pies, and give out the tea
and coffee, and superintend everything my
self?" He might know, if he would take
the trouble to inquire, instead of indulging
in sweeping denunciations. wonder if he
ever suspects that trim my own bonncts
and make my own dresses, and make my
little ones clothes, and save unnecessary
outlay? It's almost enough to make a wo-
man wish she had never got married! !"
But then Melissa thought of the rosy lit
tie ones fast asleep upstairs, and concluded
on the whole there were SO me sunbeams in
her lot.
''Hallo, Elmer! Why, surely, this is not
your"
''Wen, I don't know who else it can be-"
coolly remarked the handsome, bronzed.
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-I should think So
And we haven't met before since our college
days. Well, I declare; this is a curious
coincidence! You'll both of you promise
to come and dine with me to-day at five
O'clock won't you? Come-pm sure you
haven't any other engagement, and Pll
introduce you to my wife"
'In come" said Elmer, promptly; ''and
I'll engage to bring Lamarque with me-"
: 'But you are not going?"
'I must-rve no end of business to
transact; but we'll have regular chat al
dinner, old boy"
Melissa had hardly despatched her little
band of chubby faced children to school
: that morning, when the ofice-boy came
! knocking at the door, with note.
, ''From Mr.. Ives, ma'am, there amt nc
J answer"
f The note ran as follows
j. IT shall bring two old college mates
Elmer and Lamarque to dinner. Let it be
on the table promptly at six.
Your afectionate JULIUS"
| Mrs Ives folded up the note and de-
posted it in her desk with a comical smile
, lowering around her mouth.
Economy is the order of the day, she
9 thought.
, 1t was a bleak day toward the end ot
< December, with raw wind, and sky over
laden with clouds; and Mr.. Ives nose wa
decidedly tingled with blue as he ushered
r his two shivering guests into the parlor.
"Walk in, gentlemen-walk in and warn
IS
Q rubbing his hands.
J. But contrary to all his expectations con
e trary to the usual domestic arrangement
t prevailing in that household, there was M
g fire in the stove-the air was as damp ant
: chilly as that of mausoleum.
Julius bit his lip and repressed the rathe
demonstrative expression that was rising II
o his tongue.
: tRe seated oent1eTnen. T will rectify thi