Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-08-26

Of course a mans work is the important
work of the world always.

hold affairs, had imbibed theory that il
a woman is but economical, it costs 'nexi
to nothing" to support such small fami
ly con farm He was astounded at the
cost Of sugar and coffee and tea and tht
dozens of little outgoes every week. II
must be, there was something wrong some
where. All his pet theories were getting
Knocked in the head. In vain Phebe mild
ly reasoned with him; showed him how
long supplies could reasonably last; pro-
posed retrenching ON cake for tea, but OF
course he would not hear of that. He
liked cake. She never spoke of retrench-
ing on cigars, though some women would
But all her "argufying" was without
avail
"a man convinced against his will
Is of the same opinion stil
Somehow. the more Ridge thought about
it, the more convinced he was that his wife
could hardly be Wise manager. He was
disappointed because the money did not
pile up quite as he expected. That was
Notwithstanding of theory which consd-
erably set him back. But he remembered
an old saw which says, ''a man must ask
his Wife's 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
provided too lavishly for the supposed
wants Of the household. He might, and in
deed he must turn over new leaf, In other
words, he would tighten the thumb~screws
a little and see if the effect On his victim
would not be salutary.
Phebe had grown very reluctant to ask
for what was really needed in the house,
50 sure was she of that adverse criticism
so intensely humiliatlng to a woman Of
fine nature. If water will wear stone.
so will perpetual petty fault-6nding eat
away all home happiness. If Phebe had
been more self-asserting in the start it
would have been far better. She could
have educated the young man into a rea-
sonable householder. But instead, she
took very wrong course. and, by dress
making in over hours, contrived to earn a
| little money. This went to exc out the
scanty allowance her husband thought so
munlfcent for the expenses of $50 small
family"
When supper was over Ridge harnessed
up and drove to the village in his fresh
cool suit, to get the evening mail 1t
| would have been rest and refreshment
to Phebe to go too, but there was the sup
per to clear away, the milk to set, little
Aleck to care for, and Ridge would have
thought all things going to wreck and ru-
in if she had deserted the ship.
J "Uncle Aleck IS at home, Phebe," said
Ridge one evening in great excitement, as
he returned with letter. ''He is coming
on here next week, Now need not tell
you now important it is for all of us tnat
we make good impression upon him.
My uncle is good man, but he has his pc
culiar notions. He was always lecturing
me about economy. If he gets the i'm
preston that we are living extravagantly,
he may cut me off with a shilling. Try
and 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 expected-our liv-
ing expenses have been so high; but know
Uncle Aleck will be gratifed to know 1
! have saved little.''
''There are anumber of things we need,'
suggested Phebe, YEARLY, 81 suppose your
uncle will always prefer white sugar in his
coffee, and 1t is much the best for every
thing. We have none. And the coffee
pot IS so leaky 1 can hardly make coffee in
it; and the tea kettle is great trouble for
the same reason. They really ought to be
mended."
And the same with half the tinware in
the house, [ suppose he said with lofty
smile, as he lighted his cigar.''
lit is very true," said Phebe, with no
smile either.
"Now, don't it seem to you, Phebe,' he
said, argumentatively, "that three years is
think my Aunt Lucinda has pieces she
bought forty years ago."
''Tinware IS not what it used to be-
II know women say so, but after all it
depends great deal upon the way it is
used" Whereupon followed a discourse
supposed to effectually settle the question
about the necessity of her particular stock
being mended.
This modern Pharoah 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 the baby, but her husband object
ed on principle. It might look extrava-
giant to Uncle Aleck, and the board of
such girl would be more than her wages.
1t was beautiful day in June, and the
country at its best, when Uncle Aleck
came. He gave his nephew a hearty hand
shake, and looked over his added pounds
of avoirdupois with laughing eyes.
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 in his
clean white tucker, and there was only
one shadow that those keen gray eyes de-
tected, and that was the worn and faded
look of the young mother. 1t filled him
with solicitude, and gave him real pain,
as he feared his young niece might be in
/ failing health. and his poor boy be left
early with only memory and pictured
face, as he had been these many long
years. One thing which had so drawn him
to Phebe, was her resemblance to that lit
tie ivory-painted picture he bore with him
was not a cause for her pallid cheek, that