The Baltimore County union., 1883-03-03
A LESSON IN ECONOMY.
nY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

hN HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
Milly harrington was only eighteen
when she came TO live 4, Holly Lodge
Very young TO be married, said the
gossips ofthe ncighborhood still young
or TO assume all the cares and response
bilitics Of the household. And there
were not lacking divers doleful prophets.
who declared, with eyes rolled up and
mouths drawn down, that Mrs. Barring.
ton never would "gei on" with the old
colonel.
"He is so fasiidious," said one.
: So difficult TO suit" said another. -
ellis ideal IS so impossibly high :" de
clared a third.
But TO their surprisc-perhaps little
TO their disappointmen,-Millya and her
father in.law were the best OF friends
from the very first moment in which
they looked upon each Others faces.
Milly was so anxious 20 learn. so eager
TO comprehend the ms and outs of the
great, roomy old farmhouse, so ambi.
,ious 10 excel every housekeeper in the
neighborhood, that the old gentleman
said. with 4 smile, 20 his son
Don't let that little girl undertake
too much, Dudley"
And Dudley Darlington answered,
with a yawn:
"There's no danger OF that, sir. The
ladies Of Holly Lodge have always been
first rate housekeepcrs, you know. And
il 4 woman IS at work, she ism, spend
ing money foolishly. or gossiping."
Colonel Barringlon's keen, blue eyes
-szarded his son, sharply. for a moment
"Do YOU think Miliy is addicted tc
either Of those pernicious practices p
said he.
They come natural 10 all women
dom, ,hey2" said Dudley, Struggling
his shoulders.
"\oi to all >" said the colonel.
And in his secret soul he wondered
if Dudley was really worthy OF such a
Jewel as Milliccn,, his wife.
SO the weeks went on, and Milly
stood bravely 10 her helm. until, one
bright October day, the colonel, chanc
ing to pass the low kitchen window,
where the hop.vineS made screen OF
moving shadow, looked smilingly in &c
where his daugh,cr.in law was at work.
Have you got glass OF cool milk
for me, little grip" said he.
Milly brought the milk promptly.
"See, papa" she said, iriumphantly
pointing to the table. "what baking ]
have done to-day Three apple pies,
three loaves Of bread, a pan OF biscuit
a1oaf Of cup-cake, and dozen plum
tarts !"
"Bravo Z" said the colonel. "Bu,,
Milly, why are you bakingI Where is
Hannah ?"
"Hannah wanted her wages raised,
said Milly, rather soberly. "And Dud
ley said il was all nonsense keeping ;
girl, when was so fond Of housework
So she has gone"
"But are you fond OF houSework p
asked the colonel. "ln itself, as Al
abstract thing, | mean ?"
"Ycs papa" Milly answered, will
some hesitation, "But I'm 4 little ,ireC
this morning. rose early and swep
the house through before breakfast, 5,
as 10 have time for the baking"
"You are a good little GIRL" sale
the father-in-law. "But We mustn't lc
you work too hard"
"Papa," said Milly, with downcas
lashcs, and deep pink shadow creep
ing over her check, "I'vc been think
ing for some time that--that--"
SWELL" said the colonel, encourag
ingly.
"rhat should like to ask you for :
little money!" faltered Milly.
"Money |" echoed Colonel Barring
ton, in surprise. doesn't Dudley Civ
you all you want1"
Once more Milly hesitated.
"TIe wants to know what everything
is for" said she. "He thinks fit,
cents is too much for ribbon, and h
says bonnct.frames ought to be ha,
cheaper than quarter Of 4 dollar, an'
he declares it's all nonsense to buy sill
gloves when cotton will do as well.-
And I do need another plume for m.
hat since the rain spoiled the canary
colored one, but | don't like to ask hin
for it,"
"Do you mean to say" said Colone
harrington, leaning his elbows on th
sill, "that you don't have regular al
lowance every week 2"
"No papa |" said Milly, lifting he
prettily-arched brows. dudley say
women don't know how to use money
and that wife should always receiv
every cent she spends from her husband
And-I tell you. papa, because you ar
so kind TO mel am so ashamed to hav
him think me extravagant, and d.
really need so many little things tha
men haven't any idea of. It's a littl
hard, sometimes"
Colonel Darlington took goodly rol
Of bills out Of his pocket and laid ther
on the window.sill.
"Here, little GIRL" he said "yo
have earned them a dozen times over 1
Milly reached up to kiss him throug
the vine-leaves.
"Oh, papa, you are such adarling I
she said.
He only patted her cheek in reply.