The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-10-27

of tape, which is an insult to ones
common sensel If I could reconcile it
to my conscience, I'd fling the whole
collection into the fire; but I was
brought up to economic. What do
you think, Ella? Would it be a sin to
annihilate all these pitfalls to my
equanimity?"
at is rather a problem" said Ella
Dale. sobeTly.
"And with all this" said Mrs. Smart,
waxing vehement as she went on,
'Ebenezer is unwilling to give me
money to buy decent darning-needles
and respectable tape. He wonders
why I can't make my dresses last a
little longer, and thinks I am extrava-
giant in wanting a new feather for my
old velvet hat. He announces that +
use too many raisins and spices, and
asks me why I can't raise eggs and
poultry to exchange for groceries at
the village store. And yet-oh. the
inconsistency Of men!-he expects me
to give a bowl Of coffee and a sand
witch, to say nothing of wedges of
apple-pie and three-cornered bits of
cake. to every able-bodied tramp and
stout peddler- woman who comes
along"
doesn't he make any allowance for
1t in the housekeeping money!" said
Ella
"Not he! Just look hereI" Mrs.
Smart opened the drawer of the kitch-
en-table. "This is where 1 keep the
house-money, which he gives me every
week-and he came here twice this
morning to get a quarter for a lame
beggar. and to hunt up ten pennies
for that same outrageous paper of
pins!"
And she cast a baleful glance at the
article, which still lay on the dresser.
"This is piracy" said Ella, judicially.
cts highway %robberyl" declared
Mrs. Smart. "And there m the
butcher's-cart, and I haven't money
enough left from my weeks allow
ance to buy a single steak, and here it
is only Wednesday,"
Cant you buy on creditT"
"Never!" said Mrs. Smart. with
spirit. ats a thing that I never have
done. and that 1 never will dol"
Elias brown eyes sparkled. as she
shook her head vehemently at the
butcher, who was just checking his old
horses at the door.
Nothing to-day" said she. "Go orr
Mrs. Smart dashed away a tear.
"Give me some of that shelled corn,
Ella" said she. Il suppose I can
catch a chicken for dinner"
do nothing of the sort, my DEAR
said Ella Dale.
But what are we to do?'
"Why, have a picked-up dinner, to-
be-sure!' answered Ella. Just leave
me to manage it."
"But I'm afraid the deacon won't
like it."
Well, and If he doesn't? You don't
like the peddler business. do you?" re-
torted Ella Dale.
At one o'clock the table was all
spread, with three huge central plat
tiers carefully shielded with the covers
which were ordinarily brought out
only on state occasions, and Mrs.
Smart and Ella were peeping out of
the window, and wondering what
kept the deacon so late.
There he comes now" said Mrs.
Smart. "Good gracious mel and there
is Willis Mildmay with him! We never
counted ON him bringing company to
dinner, Ella"
"What signifies company" said
Ella, stoutly maintaining her compos-
ure. although her pretty face had turn
ed pink all over, like a June rose.
willis Mildmay won't are when he
comprehends it all. Willis is q sensi-
bic man."
"Come In, Mr.. Smart-come in, Mr..
Mildmay," said Mrs. Smart. "You're
half an hour late, Ebenezer. Ella and
I could not imagine what had become
of you"
81 hope I am not intrudingl" said
Mr.. Mildmay, looking at Ella Dale a
if a glance at her rosy face was all the
dinner that he wanted.