Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-08
A LESSON In ECONUMY.

Milly harrington was only eighteen
when she came to live at Holly Lodge.
Very young to be married, said the gossips
of the neighborhood still younger to as
sumo all the cares and responsibilities of
the household. And there was not lacking
divers doleful prophets, who declared,
with eyes rolled up and mouths drawn
down, that Mrs. Darlington never would
''get on" with the old colonel.
siHe is so fastidous,'' said one.
$50 difficult to suit" lid another.
Ills ideal is so imposslbly high de-
clared third.
But to their surprise-perhaps to their
disappointment-Mi and her father-in
law were the best of friends from the very
first moment in which they looked upon
each others faces.
Mlly was so anxious to learn, so eager
to comprehend the ms and outs Of the
great. roomy old farmhouse, so ambitious
to excel every housekeeper in the neigh
borhood, that the old gentleman said with
a smile to the son:
Don u lou Utldu llbUlC ILL uuuOA oNNo WV
much, Dudley"
And Dudley Darlington answered. with
yawn:
There's no danger of that sir. The
ladies of Holly Lodge have always been
firstrate housekeepers you know. And if
woman il at work, she isn't spending
money foolishly, or gossiping."
Col. Barrington's keen blue eyes regard.
ed his son sharply for moment.
"Do you think Miily is. addicted to
either of these pernicious practices 20 said
he.
"They come natural to all women,
don't they z" said Dudley, struggling bis
shoulders.
mot to all p said the colonel.
And in his secret soul he wondered ii
Dudley was really worthy of such jewel
as Millicent, his wife.
So the weeks went on, and Milly stood
bravely to her helm, until, one bright o.
tober day, the colonel, CHANGING to pass
the loW kitchen wi ndow, where the hop
vines made screen of moving shadow.
looked smiingiy in to where his daughter
in law was at work.
Have you glass of cool milk for me,
little girl ?" said he.
Milly brought the milk promptly.
ssSee, pa,' she said, triumphantly point
ing to the table, what b.king have
done to-day! Three apple pies, three loaves
OF bread, pan of biscuit loaf of cup
cake, and dozen plum tarts! !"
"Bravo!'' said the colonel but Milly,
why are you baking? Where is Han
nah 20
"Hannah wanted her wages raised, -
SAID Milly, rather soberly land Dudley
said it was all nonsense keeping a girl.
when was so fond of homework. So she
has gone."
but are you fond of Homework ?" ask
ed the colonel. "In itself. as an abstract
thing, mean -
Eyes, papa" Milly answered. with some
hesitation, 'but I'm little tired this
morning. rose early and swept the house
through before breakfast, so as to have
time for the baking"
You are good little girl" said the
fatber.in-law. but we mustn't let you
work too hard"
"Papa,'' said Milly. with downcast lash
es, and a deep pink shadow creeping over
her cheek, "I've been thinking for some
tue that--that-"
"Well?" said the colonel, encouraging
ly.
'sThat should like to ask you for lit
tie money" faltered Milly.
s.Money p echoed Col. Darlington in
surprise. doesn't Dudley give you all
you want ?"
Once more Milly hesitated.
HE wants to know what everything is
for.'' said she. "He thinks fifty cents is
too much for ribbon. and says bonnet
frames ought to be had cheaper than a
quarter of dollar, and he declares it all
nonsense to buy silk gloves when cotton