Connecticut western news., 1884-07-23

flection of their own beauty, but Mrs. Jordan was far too much in earnest for that. She tied her bonnet strings with a little jerk, settled the folds of her shawl upon her taper shoulders and tripped down the street with a very much ab- sorbed expression of countenance.
 She went straight to her husbands law office where Mir. Philemon Parker, the clerk, sickly looking young man of nineteen, with yellowish down on his cheeks and unwholesome red pimples prevailing his face, was reading the morning paper with his heels on the top of the stove.
 Now, if there was any one in the world that Philemon regarded with dis tant and platonic admiration, it was his masters pretty wife! zz
 "By George, she's a clipper P the young man had frequently remarked among his confidential friends, and he would have cheerfully sacrificed himself in any manner on the shrine of Mrs. Jordanl
 "Don't disturb yourself, Philemon, I beg" said that lady, sweetly, as Phile- mons heels clattered down from the stove, and the newspaper fell from his hands. "I just want little confiden- tial talk with you to-day p Philemon's tallowy complexion grew scarlet with delight.
 Anything I can do, ma'am, I'm sure I-"
 ''But you can do a great deal" said the lady, costly establishing herself in the big leather-cushioned easy chair usually occupied by MT. Jordan him. self. "You see, Philemon, am trying to make little estimate of MT. Jordan's private and personal expenses, and if you could help me httle--of course en- tirely without his knowledge-I should be, oh so much obliged to you! Now, will you, Philemon
 Philemon twirled his thumbs and made answer, enthusiastically:
 "Yes, ma'am, will p
 "Well, then, said Mrs. Jordan, pro- ducing pencil and set of dainty little pearl tablets, the like of which Phile- mon had never before seen, Suppose we commence, Philemon ?''
 "Well, ma'am, there's box of extra cigars master ordered sent here last night, and they do smell most prime !"
 ''Do you know what they cost, Phile- mon p
 'Twenty dollars, ma'am."
 Mrs. Jordan made deliberate entry on her tablets.
 "And there's the basket of cham pagne, ma'am-it's half drunk up, to be sure, but"
 "How much was 1t ?"
 "I heard master tell Colonel Don it was cheap at fifty dollars"
 Mrs. Jordan elevated her black eye brows.
 "I see you have h andsome new car pet here, Philemon-English brussels.
 "Yes, ma'am, MT. Jordan said the oiI- cloth was too cold for his feet"
 ''It must have been expensive"
 "Seventy-tive dollars, ma'am."
 "What an elegant engraving that is on the wall"
 ''Yes, ma'am. Mir. Jordan subscribed for proof copy-he said the walls needed something besides maps"
 Twenty-Five dollars. I know the price of proof copies. But, Philemon, all these pretty things have been recent purchases. was here last week and saw none of them"
 Philemon twisted his countenance into 8 meditative expression.
 FYes, Mrs. Jordan--I believe they were all purchased within the week-in fact, know they wereI'
 "Aha ]" thought the little lady to her self, putting up the pearl tablets with the pencil slipped nearly in; nothing like going out into the world to obtain 8 little useful information; $170 within the week I think I have you in par ticularly small corner, now, MT. Jor- | dan !'
 It was raining when Mrs. Jordan went to her home once more, but her countenance was brighter than any rain bow.
 "Ma'am, D said the cook, meeting her at the door, ''the currant jelly is all gone"
 "Very well; send to the grocer's and order half dozen more jars" n
 "But master said"
 "Never mind what master said; do as I tell you.'
 "And the pickles, ma'am. Master thought it would be so much more economical to make our own pickles"
 1T think otherwise, said Mrs. Jordan, coolly. "TelI Mustard & Spike to send round six dozen of their nicest.'
 The cook stared, but obeyed, never theless; and Mary Jordan went singing up to her room, to remove her things.
 ,"Mrs. Jordan" said the nurse, Eff ye phase. the merino and things for the lit- tie girrels' dresses hev come home." "Roll them up with the patterns, and send them to Mrs. Paley," said Mary; ssI have concluded not to make them myself"
 "Yis; but, ma'am, Mrs. Paley asks such an awful price-two dollars each p
 'cI don't care how much she asks, " said Mrs. Jordan, indifferently, and Nurse Ryan retreated, hardly knowing what to make of the mistress, whilom so economical.
 But Mrs. Mary Jordan knew well what she was about.
 Mir. Jordan arrived in time for 8 late dinner, very hungry and very ruddy.
 "Flne pickles, these, my dear When did you make them? Really, very crisp