The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-11-24
How they Read the Papers
BY MRS. HARRIET A. cHEEvER.

piazza one evening In the early iaii,
with a mixed expression on his fine
face of anxiety and annoyance.
Suddenly he turned toward his
wife, sitting near, and remarked:
"Wife, I've great mind to stop
most of my papers l want to reduce
expenses in some directions, and I've
come to the conclusion that newspa-
pers in general are considerable of a
humbug. There are frequently more
quack advertisements than anything
else in the dailies, and as to your re-
ligious papers, they record too many
squabbles among the brethren and
discussions among the churches to
be of much value, it seems to me-"
w've sometimes thought" replied
his wife, with quiet smile, "that If
you did little more advertising your
self, things might prosper better in a
business way"
"Poh!" exclaimed the Colonel, inn
patiently, "you know my ideas on
that subject too well to advise in that
strain, l should think. But, by the
way" he added, and his voice took
on fresh tone of ANNOYANCE, 81 saw
Pherson to-day, and he tells me he
has sold the cottage"
"Sold it'll" gasped his wife. "To
whom, pray"
ooh, to family of Germans, poor
as poverty, of course, with four great
ranting boys, and goodness knows
how we're ever going to stand it !"
"Dear me why didn't you give
Pherson his price ?" said Mrs. Cald-
well, regretfully. "I'd rather have
denied myself much in the way of
dress and company than be obliged
to tolerate such neighbors and think
of our child-our frail, delicate little
Ethel; how can | keep her from
watching and seeing all their misera-
BILE ways :"
81 believe | would have sooner
agreed to Pherson's terms, had it
been possible but it is too late
now" answered the Colonel.
Adjoining Col. Caldwell's fine es-
tate, was another estate with an ample
plot of ground, in the center of which
was small brown cottage. The last
tenants of this little habitation had
been coarse, rude people, between
whom and the Caldwells had passed
never friendly salute, but only re-
ciprocal looks of indifference or dis.
gust.
Phersons wanted to sell the place
to Col Caldwell, and the Colonel had
wanted to buy, but the increasing
closeness of the latter where any
outlay was involved, had rendered a
reasonable bargain impossible, and
now the opportunity had fed the
place was sold, and at Pherson's own
price-by no means an unreasonable
one, considering the really valuable
land surrounding the cottage.
And so it came to pass, that few
days afterward, large wagon drew
up before the garden gate, contain
ing the new owners of the property,
and their entire effects.
But one fact soon became appar-
ent concerning the new corners.
They Enthusiastically intended going
about their housekeeping without in
any way disturbing or asking assist
ance of either their wealthy neigh
bors, the Caldwells, on their right, or
the shabbv-genteel family of Mr..
Thomas Slater, on the left.
The Caldwells and Skaters soon be-
came equally interested in their new
neighbors. Without doubt they were
poor; the parents wore homespun
clothes about the house and garden,
and the garments of the four boys
were coarse and inexpensive i'll the
extreme but the neatness and order
pervading the entire household, the
general air of thrift joined with great
prudence and economy, was some
thing wonderful.
The father, doubtless of Teutonic
birth, was stout, strongly-built man,
with remarkably low voice, and
pleasant face. The "mother," as she