The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-08-04

string.
us this homer said Elmer, with an
indoscribable lntonatiol in her voice.
Wen get things all Strengthened up
after a while,' said Mr.. Chesney, bust
ling to drive away the pigs, which had
broken out of their pen and were squeal-
ing dismaliy under the window.
Mrs. Chesney cried herself to sleep that
night, and awakened the next morning
with every bone instinct with shooting
pains.
"And no wonder" said Spencer,
there's foot of water in the cellar.
1--WE must have it drained" said Mr..
Chesney, with an uneasy look; "but
here's plenty of things to do first.
And now began reign of the strictest
economy. Ms. Chesney himself paid for
everything with checks, and not an ar
ticle came into the house or went out of
it, without his cognizance. New dresses
were frowned upon; spring bonnets were
strictly interdicted; orders were issued
that old carpets should be reversed, and
broken dishes repaired with cement and
quicklime.
''Save, save, save! That is the chief
thing" he kept repeating briskly.
Women folks can't earn; they should
try their best to save"
Boys" futtered Rosie, I've an idea.
Mary Penn, who lives on the next farm,
you know, came over to see Elma and
me yesterday. Papa is earning his liv-
ing; we'll earn something, too"
Il should like to know how" NUT
tered Spencer. l might hire out some
where if it wasn't for that wretched old
horse and the pigs and the wood chop
ping and"--
"Oh, but there is something that
won't interfere with the chores, nor
with school," said cheerful little Rosie.
"Just listen-all ask of you is to lis
ten"
And the weeks grew into months, and
the red leaves eddied down into little
swirls from the maple trees, and "pig
killing time" came, and, with the aid of
a lame, one-eyed man, Mr.. Chesney laid
down his own stock of pork and saus-
ages, with the sense of being triumph
antly economical.
The family had left off complaining
now. Apparently, they were resigned
to their doom. But there were some
things that Mr.. Chesney could not ex-
plain at all.
A new rug frightened up the dismal
hues of the parlor carpet; Rosie had a
crimson merino dress, trimmed with
black velvet bars. E.ma's fall jacket
was edged with substantial black fur;
climax of extravaganza
Mrs. Chesney had a new shawl in place
of the old garment which had been her
mothers before her.
He looked at the housekeeping books
with renewed vigilance; he consulted
the stubs of his check book with q
glance that nothing could escape.
observation-disclosures
age It," said he. scratching his nose
with lead pencil that he always car
ried. 81 hate mysteries, aud 1 meaa
to be at the bottom of this before i am
an hour older"
"Abigail," said he, chow is this?
I've given you no money. You've long
left off asking for money. How have
you managed to smarter yourself and
the children up sc2 won't be cheated
by my own wife"
Elma set down the pitcher which
she was wipiug, and cine and stood be.
fore her father with glittering eyes and
cheeks stained with crimson, like fiay
of battle.
papa" she said, "you must not
speak to mamma so. Mamma would
not cheat you nor anybody else. It's
money we've earned ourselves.
Mr.. Chesney stared at the girl with
incredulous eyes.
"And if you don't believe it, como
and see how" said Elmer, finging
down her towel. 'Mary Penn showed
us. She told US everything, and gave
us the first swarm of bees. There are
fourteen swarms down under the south
wall. Spencer sold the honey for ia