The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-05-24

| not had time 10 make up MS mlnu ABOUT
the purchase of the carpet until he had
actually driven off in the stage-coach,
when, stopping at Bradley's, he had
arranged with Alfred to get it for him,
but forgot to say that it must be sent to
grandpa's. And as for Cousin Arme-
MAS carpet, he was innocent of its ex-
istence, nothing ever having been said
to him about it.
"Well," said Cousin Armenia, sI've
had all my labor and pains for nothing.
The idea," she added Indignantly
"the idea of spending fifteen dollars
on bedroom carpet, when one just
serviceable could be had for nothing!"
and she looked proudly at her work.
"For nothing, Cousin Armenia ?"
inquired Tom.
"For skeercely anything. The WOW
ing did cost about four dollars ; but
that don't count"
"And the thread for the woof ?"
suggested Tom.
"Well, that might be few dollars
MORE" she admitted.
And rather uneasy light came into
her. eye. She left the room abrubtly
Then Lizzie said:
"And the good clothes destroyed,
and the time spent on preparing those
rags, and the hiring of the wagon to go
for the carpet-what do these amount
toi'
"To say nothing ofthe new dress that
must be bought for Kitty Leary, and
the new curtain for Toms room," l
added. "Why, altogether, these two
carpets must have cost about the same,
and Cousin Armenia has made nothing
by her economical idea.
Grandpa was standing behind us, his
hands in his pockets, and very know
ing look in his eyes.
"Mebbe you're a leetle mistaken,
SUSIE" he said, drily. "My own idee
is that Armeny's made more on that rag
carpet than she'd a notion of, and
good deal more than its worth. It's
likely the best investment she ever
made"
--And meaurtrue;- sat6 grard-raa,
'swe will put Toms carpet in the par
lor, and Armeny's in this room. She's
done what she thought best, and it
would not do to hurt her feelings"
That evening Tom slyly called me to
look at Cousin Armenia, who, with
kitchen-knife in her hand, was pruning
at the rose-bushes in the garden, while
the deacon, seated cross-legged on the
fence was deliberately and carefully
whiting a stick.
"Why, she will ruin the bushes!" l
exclaimed. "See how she is chopping
them to pieces. What can she be think
ing OFF"
"What were you thinking of, Susie,
said Tom, solemnly, "that time in the
parlor when the doctor was saying some
thing in low tone and you were de
liberately picking your gloves to pieces!' >
And the light flashed upon me, and
ran out to tell Lizzie that had found
out what grandpa had meant by Cousin
Armenia'S Investment. And Lizzie
laughed and said, elbow ridiculous!"
And then in the same breath, ttWhy,
how nice it will be, Susie. am so
glad!"
Next day John and his wife came, and
we were all delighted with Alice. Her
father had money, and she had been
brouht up in more dainty style of
living than we were accustomed to,
which made us rather anxious about her
being pleased with things. One day,
when she had been about week with
us, grandma inquired of John if Alice
were perfectly satisfied, or if there was
anything that he would liket have done
for her?
"Only one thing, grandma" he re-
piled, cheerfully. "She's delighted,
and perfectly satisfied and happy; but,
you see, she has some fancies which you
would think whimsical. The carpet in
her room"
"I knew it!" exclaimed Lizzie, flush
ing. "The horrid rag-carpet!"
John laughed.
"It isn't its being rag-carpet that
she objects to, Liz; but she has preju-
dice against any sort of carpet in
sleeping-room. She thinks it unhealthy
and, you know, many physicians hold
that opinion. A little strip by the bed
side and before the hearth is all that she
requires.
sI'll see to it to-day" said grandma.
And then she looked up at US and
laughed little.
"Poor Armenia's carpet seems un-
lucky" she said.
"Oh, she'll find a use for it," said
grandpa, quickly. "We must make her
a present of it, Dorothy, and she'll find
the right place for it before long
Grandpa was right. Long before
John and Alice moved into their new
house, Cousin Armenia's bright rag
carpet was reposingupon Deacon Hutch
ings's parlor floor, with the deacon's silk
handkerchiefs cleaning conspicuouslyin
the centre, while Cousin Armenia her
selfmoved about, making his home pleas
ant and cheerful for him.
"Saving is making" said the deacon;
"and a woman who can make fifteen
dollars out of nothing, is worth some
thing"
Nor do think that his wife has ever
hinted to him what that carpet really
cost.