The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-07-07

couee anu tea anu the dozen OF little
outgoes every week 1t must be there
was something wrong somewhere. Ali
ms pet theories were getting knocked
In the head. In vain Phebe mildly
reasoned with him; showed him how
long supplies could reasonably be made
to last; proposed retrenching on cake
for tea, but of course he would not hear
of that. He liked cake. She never
spoke of retrenching on cigars, though
some women would. But all her
argufying" was without avail.
Somehow, the more Ridge thought
about it, the more convinced he was
that his wife could hardly be a wise
manager. He was disappointed be-
cause the money did not pile up quite
as he expected That was another
demolished theory which considerably
set him back. But then he remembered
an old saw which says, "a man must
ask his wife leave to thrive" and he
was somewhat comforted. Phebe was
young. She might yet be induced to
change her manner of doing business.
Perhaps he had been too indulgent him
self, and had provided too lavishly for
the supposed wants of the household.
He might, and, indeed, he must turn
over a new leaf. In other words, he
would tighten the thumb-screws little
and see il the effect on his victim would
not be salutary.
Phebe had grown very reluctant to
ask for what was really needed in the
house, so sure was she of that adverse
criticism so intensely humiliating to q
woman of fine nature. If water will
wear stone. so will perpetual petty fault
finding eat away all home happiness.
calf oconrffrnr
in the start it would have been far bet
ter. She could have educated the
young man into a reasonable house
holder. Bul instead, she took very
wrong course, and, by dressmaking in
over hours, contrived to earn a little
money. This went to exc out the
scanty allowance her husband thought
so muni6cent for the expenses of $50
small family"
When supper was over Ridge har-
messed up and drove TO the village in
his fresh cool suit. to get the evening
mail. 1t would have been q rest and
refreshmeut to Phebe to go, too, but
there was the supper to clear away,
the milk to set, little Aleck to care for,
and Ridge would have thought all
things going to wreck and ruin if she
should so desert the ship.
Uncle Aleck is ut home, Phebem
said Ridge one evening, in great ex-
element, as he returned win a letter.
"He is coming on here next week.
Now need not tell you how important
it is for all of us that we make good
impression upon him. Ny uncle is q
good man, but he has his peculiar
notions. He was always lecturing me
on economy. Ii he gets the impression
that we are living extravagantly, he
may cut me off with shilling. Try to
have little Aleck at his best, and, if
| possible, keep him from crying. We
must study to provide his favorite
dishes, for he always feels crusty if his
meals do not please him. have laid
by a little money, though not half what
been so high; but / know Uncle Aleck
viii be gratified to know / have saved
even little"
There a number of things we need, !"
suggested Phebe, wearily. f'I suppose
your uncle will always prefer white su-
i gar in his coffee, and it is much the best
for everything. We have none. And
the coffee pot is so leaky can hardly
make coffee in it; and the tea kettle is u
great trouble for the same reason. They
really ought to be mended."
land the same of half the tinware
in the house, suppose" he said with q
lofty smile, as he lighted his cigar.
alt is very true, said Phebe, with no
smile, either.
Now, don't it seem to you, Phe-
be-" he said. argumentatively. that
three years is q very short time for tin
ware TO lasta think my Aunt Lucin-
da has pieces she bought forty years
ago."
:. Tinware is not what it used to be. :"
81 know women say so; but after all
it depends great deal upon the way it
is used" Whereupon followed dis
course on the use Of pans and basins,
that was supposed to effectually settle
the question about the necessity of her
particular stock being mended.
This modern Pharaoh still persisted
in demanding bricks without straw; so,
with the very scantiest resources, Phebe
| set about preparing for the dreaded
visit. She would have liked a little
girl to help take care of baby, but her
husband objected on principle. II
might look extravagant to Uncle Aleck,
and the board of such a girl would be
more than her wages.
1t was a beautiful day in June, and
tnO CO0Aehl az Abc bCobs OhSAC al
eek came. He gave his nephew s
hearty hand shake, and looked over hi.
added pounds of avoirdupois with laugh
ing eyes.
"a Farm life hasn't worn you down,
perceive" he said, as he stepped into
the buggy.
The supper was excellent, the house
like a new pin, baby sweet and fresh il
his clean white tucker, and there wa:
only one shadow that those keen grel
eyes detected, and that was the worI
and faded look of the young mother. /
filed him with solicitude. and gave hin
real pain, as he feared his young nice,
might be in failing health, and his poo
boy be left early with only memory
and pictured face, as he had beer
these many long years. One thinl
which had SO drawn him to Phebe wa
her resemblance to that little ivory
painted picture he bore with him owe
land and sea. He wondered if ther,
was not q cause for her pallid cheek
that might yet be discovered and re
medied. Full of this intent, he kept
sharp lookout from under his shagg,
eyebrows, as he walked around tn
!, premises. The farm was kept up to
, state of high thrift and neatness by tn,
hired man. and Ridgway got the credi
, of it. But indoors there was a scrimp
ed, unhandy look about most of tn
working implements, which did no
escape observation. He saw Pheb,
, tinkering her tins with bits of twin
drawn into the holes. and he hear
Ridge expostulating with her in tn
kitchen about some supplies she need
ed. He sat through a Monday in tn
cozy sitting-room, where he could bea
J her toiling at the wash-tub. and hurry
ing to get up the meals, while she al
! tended to the neglected baby when sh
! could catch moments time. His in
: dignation was at white heat by night
= and he felt that he could have cane
J "that graceless scamp" his nephew
with pleasure, for permitting such
. | state Of affairs