Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-12-20
MISTAKEN ECONOMY.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

Yes indeed, said /, wrInglng my
hands, 1--WE must But I'm sure. Obby
dear. we are neither Of US extravagant.
We must eat, we must drink, and we
must live "
And Obadiah and ! sat and looked
straight al each other in sort of mild
despair.
We bad only been married six months,
Obadiah and /. We were very young,
both Of ss, and perhaps we had begun
the world too early. Our relation told Us
We hadn't any bushes to marry; but as
their gratui,oas opinions were all that
,hey had ever given Us, or ever intended
70 give Us, we had never paid much at
,cn,ion 10 these utterances.
We had a little one-story cottage, just
on the high road which was to let cheap,
because there were only two rooms and
A Akitchen 10 it. But what did Obadiah
AMI I want with more than two rooms
and a kitchen; had the furniture
which Grandmother Neweomb had given
me. and a rag carpet which my poor
mother had woven, the winter before she
died. To be sure, our accommodations
were not extensive, but we did not ex-
pee, to hold fashionable receptions, or
give large dinner parties.
OBADIAH had plenty Of work in the
woolen factory down by the depot, and !
hung on; my little sign, ''DresSmaking
ana Millinery" aal hoped that some one
migh, see it and give me an order. But
no one came. had plenty of time after
nv house keeping duties were over IN the
morning. and cOuldn', be always bees
waxing the furniture, and arranging the
CHINA cupboard, or polishing the win
d0vS.
81 wish coull &c; some dressmaking
TO DO :" said l, wisifully; for Obidiah's
earnings were small, and | did 50 long
for dollar or two OF my own.
why don, YOU advertise in the vii
lase newspaper :" said old Mr.. Meggs.
obadiah bust out lauging.
Advertise - said he. Why, what
on earth do You take rs FOR, Mr.. Megss
It costs a good deal Of money TO adveF-
,!se.
II; costs something, certainly, said
Mr. Mrsss. though,fully, stroking bis
chin. but then i, nails public attention
TO tie particular iron YOU have in the
FIRE
"A little local paper ike that : said
OBADIAH rather contemporary.
..l,'s local custom tha, your wife
wants ISN'T j, =" said Mr.. Meggs.
And never did think much of aews-
papers. said Obadiah.
So,hat settled the question and after
ward. when the foreman Of the woolen
factory cut down the wages Of all the
wurkmen SO per cent. and coal went up,
and winter -. IN cold and hard. we be-
gan 70 consider the question Of how and
where We could economic, the local
newspaper was almos; the trst thing up
on which Obadiah settled
That, a; least, Is an unnecessary ex-
;ravgauce,' said he.
WINGED a little. The Boggsr,He
Hrad had been my constant cOmpan-
ION for more lonely evenings than cared
70 remember.
It's only dollar and half a year,
OBADIAH" s4.i l, and really Is very
interesting httle paper
Just a dollar and half too much,
SAID uy husband, CURLY. The subscrip-
ZION j, Jus, out. III tell EN- We won't
renew it. lfyou care 80 much about it,
Josie. YOU can easily borrow Mrs. Megg's
paper.
was silent. never could make
Obadiah understand the deeP-Tooted
aversion 10 borrowing Of any creature
whatever, that Inherited from my moth
er.
50 we cut down the weekly paper, and
'eit or using butter, and burned candles
a penny a pound cheaper, and ! cleaned
and rebound, and new .buroned Obadi-
abs great coat instead Of buying a new
one, and left of going TO church because
nv old cloak was too shabby and l
couldn't afford anthing better.
And Cd, how | did miss the BoggsrilIe
Herald
If could only get little dressmak-
ing 10 DO" said | TO myself, Il would
subscribe again myself. But | cannot
bear 10 ask Obadiah for cent Of his
hard-earned money
INas sitting. very sad and lonely one
freezing February day, by the window,
trying to mend one of Obadiah's old
wais,-coais. when q travelling peddler,
with a huge basket Of china ornaments
on his arm and bundle on his shoulder.
knocked at the door. lie nodded bis
head in an insinuating manner q, me as
! answered his summons.
Couldn't | sell you anything this
morning. ma'sm;" said he, with very
liberal display Of a very white and ev n
Sc, of teeth. Anything in the way oi
elegant mAntel vases, sta,uetts, decorated
china match boxes
Il have no money" said /, spiritless-
ly. And l do not need any Of your
wares"
"Ah, but you don't know what a
splendid article have here" he persist
ed, leosening the strap which crossed bis
shoulder. and lowering the precious pack
age carefully to the floor. "A pair OF
real Wedgeboard Fences. Oh, don't
shake your head. ma am | shan't charge
you cent for looking at 'em you know.