The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-06-25

cost of sugar and coffee and tea and the
dozens of little outgoes every week. 1t
must be there was something wrong some
where. All his 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 re-
trenching on cigars, though some women
would. But all her "argufying was
without avail.
"A man convinced against his will
Is of the same opinion still.
Somehow, the more Ridge thought about
it, the more convinced he was that his vile
could hardly be a wise manager. lie was
disappointed because the money did not
pile up quite as he expected, That was
another demolished theory which consid-
erably set him back But then he remem
bered 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
had been tee sinaaleanf himself nnal had
provided too layishly for the supposed
wants of the household. He might, IN
deed he must turn over new leaf. In
other words, he would tighten the thumb
screws 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,
so sure was she of that adverse criticism
so intensely humiliating to woman OF
fne nature. If water viii wear a stone, so
will perpetual petty fault finding eat away
all home happiness. 1t Phebe had been
more self-asserting in the start it would
have been far better. She could have ed
ucated the young man into reasonable
householder But instead, she took very
wrong course, and, by dressmakiDg 10 over
hours, contrived to earn 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 harnessed
up and drove to the village in his fresh
cool suit, to get the evening mail. II
would have been a rest and refreShment
to Phebe to 20 too, but there was the sup
per to clear away, the milk to set little
Aleek 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 at home, Phebe, said
Ridge one evening, in great excitement
as he returned with letter. lie Is CON-
ing on here next week Now | need not
tell YOU how important il IS for all Of Us
that We make good impression upon him.
My uncle is a good man, but hc has his
peculiar notions. He was always lecturing
me on economy. If be gets the impres.
sion that We are living cxtrayagant, be
may cut me off with a shilling. Try to
have little Aleek at his best, and, 1t pos
possible, keep him from crying. We must
stuty to provide his iavorite dishes, for he
always feels crusty if his meals do not
please him. | have laid by little money
though not half what | expeeted-our
living expenses have been 50 high but 1
know Uncle Aleek viii be gratihed 10 know
1 have saved eyeH little.
There are a number Of things we need,
suggested Phebe, weariy. Il suppose
your uncle viii always prefer white sugar
in his coffee, and it IS much the best for
everything. We have none, aud the coffee
pot is 50 leaky | can hardly make coffee in
il aud the tea kettle is great trouble
for the same reason. they really ought
10 be meuded. :
"And the same Of half the tinWare in
the house, | suppose 2 be said, with =
/ lofty smile, as he lighted his cigar.
1T is very true, said Phebe, with no
smile either.
Now, don't it seem to you, Phebe, he
said. argumentatiyely, "that three years
is very short time for tinware to last
| think my Aunt Lacinda has pieces she
bought forty years ago.
aTinwarc Is not what it used TO be.
81 know women say so, but after all i
depends great deal upon the way 1t ]:
used" Whereupon followed discourse
on the use of pans aud basins, that was
supposed TO effeciually settle the question
about the necessity Of her particular stock
being mended.
This modern Pharaoh still persisted il
demanding bricks without straw; SO, with
the very scantiest resources, Phebe SCI
about preparing for the dreaded visit. She
would have liked little girl to help take
care of baby, but her husband objected OF
principle. 1t might look extravagant tC
Uncle Aleek, and the board Of such sir
would be more than her wages.
Ii was beautiful day in June, and th'
country at its best, when Uncle AleeG
came. lie gave his nephew hearty hand
shake, and looked over his added pounds
of avoirdupois with laughing eyes.
"Farm life hasn't worn you down, per
eeiye," he said, as he stepped into th'
buggy.
lhe supper was excellent, the house
like a new pin, baby sweet aud fresh il
his clean white tucker, aud there was onll
one shadow that those keen gray eyes de.
tectcd, and that was the worn and faded
look of the young mother. IL filed hin
with soIicitude, and gave real pain, as ht
feared his young niece might be in failing
health, and his poor boy be left early Will
only a memory aud pictured face, as h'
had been these many long years. On'
thing which bad so drawn him to Phebe
was her resemblance to that little ivory
painted picture he bore with him over lanC
and sea. lie wondered if there was not 1
cause for her pallid cheek, that might ye
Be discovered and remedied. Full of TIM
intent, he kept a sharp lookout from under
? his shaggy eyebrows, as he walked around
the premises. The farm was kept up to
state of high thrift and neatness by tn,
hired man, and Ridgeway got the eredi
ofit. But indoors there was scrimped
unhandy look about most of the WorkiD!
implements, which did not escape observa
tion. He saw Phebe tiukering her tin'
with bits of twine drawn into the holes
and he heard Ridge expostulating with he
, in the kitchen about some supplies sh'
needed. He sat through a Monday in th,
) cosy sitting room, where he could hear he
toiliDe at the washtub, and hurrying t
get up the meals, while she attended t
the neglected baby when she could catcl
a moments time. His indignation was a
white heat by night, and he felt that h,
could have caned ''that graceless scamp,
his nephew, with pleasure, for permitting
such state of affairs.
They walked out after tea and looket