The Penn's Grove record., 1884-10-11
u SHOPPING.

ODI ShOIE INo'
my DEAR" observed Mrs. Martin,
one morning to her better half, after
having been engaged for the last few
minutes in consulting the amount of
funds in her possession; 'My dear, |
must have some more money this morn
ing. My purse is almost entirely ex-
hausted, and | must do some shopping
to-day"
''Money, Mrs. Martini" exclaimed
her irate lord; "and how many times
have l given you money the past
week. 1 should like to know? What
do you suppose | am made OFF"
''The same material that goes to
make up other mortals, l suppose,
which is-dust" laughed his wife,
'DustI Well, perhaps so; but not
gold dust, as your frequent demands
on my purse would leave one to i'm
agine," retorted Mr.. Martin, rather
more pleasantly; ''but, may | ask, my
dear, what you want money for just
now?"
II want to get the children some
winter dresses, " replied the lady; "they
made a finish of what they had last
winter"
Goodness g%raciousl Why it is only
the day before yesterday that you pre-
scented that very air to me, which |
sung to the tune of fifty dollars or
more" gr0aned Mr.. Martin, closing
his eyes out of despair; that song won't
bear the repetition so many times, my
dear"
'I'm sorry for it, but it must come"
replied Mrs. Martin, with a merry
laugh; land, besides, that day before
yesterday that you speak of was really
two months ago, when ] was purchas-
ing the children's fall clothing. Seems
to me the weeks and months must be
remarkably short in your calendar"
well it does cost you women the
awfullest sight of money to do shop
ping with, of any creatures l ever
sawi' exclaimed the husband, dole
fully. "Now, I'll wager anything that
L could purchase all that the children
need at half the expense" he added,
as he tugged at his purse to draw it
from his pocket.
you could9" and Mrs. Martin
worked her eyebrows in a most comical
manner.
Certainly, l couldl'' asserted our
hero, confidently. 81 am convinced
that about twice as much Nancy is
expended in these shopping expeditions
as is at all necessary; and if l could be
allowed to have my own way In this
matter for once. I'd SOC make my be-
lief apparent"
"Well, you may have your own way
this time" SAID his wife, with a quiet
smile, while her blue eyes fairly danced
with merriment. "I'H agree to let you
test the matter to-day by your W
experience; and, If you give satisfac-
ton, you shall do all my shopping in
future"
Every well; furnish me a list of the
articles required, and I'll start at
once" said Mr., Martin, pushing back
his coffee cup, and rising from his
chair.
In a few moments the list was han
ded him; so, pulling out the paper, he
leisurely scanned its content.
"Merino Ell? he unused, as his eye
fell upon the first article enumerated,
II wonder what kind of stuff that is?
However, / soon can find out. Hello.
here's a dry ~goot>store already. I'll go
in and make inquiries"
Grasping the paper firmly in his hand,
he entered the store, and advancing to
the first counter, asked:
do you keep merino here, my good
fellow"
Eyes, sir; last counter" said the
clerk.
Last counter, eh2 Whewl How
many miles do you call it from here2"
asked our hero, glancing rather ~ruefully
down the vista presented to his view,
about one and a half replied the
clerk, laughing, and Martin started off.
81 declare they ought to run a car
through this establishment for the ae-