The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-03-16
MY WIFE'S LEGACY.
How She Counted Chickens That Never
Hatched.

81 don't like to calculate upon such
things" observed my wife; "but if
Aunt Jane were to die, l should not be
bit surprised if she lett US that old
fashioned set of silver, that belonged to
my great-grand parents"
Out of consideration for the printer,
| will emit indications of the emphasis
with which she usually spoke. If the
reader will kindly consider every sec
ond word printed in small caps or ltal-
les, he will have some faint idea of hel
manner of expressing herself.
at is a very handsome set," | re-
turned, glancing about our modest din
ing room "and will hardly accord with
our furniture"
at wouldn't look at all well with that
side-board, returned my wife, promptly
at is so dreadfully shabby-oh, of
course. l mean the side board. not the
silver don't be so smart"
81 suppose, ther, if such a thing
were to happen, you'd have to have a
new side board.
She nodded complacently.
81 saw such lovely one down town
to-day antique oak, beautifully carved.
| do admire oak so much"
'But the rest of the furniture IS wal
nut" l objected.
"Walnat is altogether out of style,
especially for dining rooms," she re-
Piled, with a disdainful glance at the
chairs which we had once found very
good to look at; "and after all, the
sideboard is by SO much the most ex-
pensive riece of furniture in dining
room, that it doesn't cost much more
to get a whole set than just that one
piece. And even walnut side-board
new, would not look we'll with these
chairs and this table"
said nothing, and the tacit sur
render was accepted by my wife
'Thenceforth it was understood that il
Aunt Jane should bequeath US that sill
yer, we were to purchase new set oi
dlning-room furniture.
That next evening, as we were again
at dinner, my wife remarked.
81 have been looking al carpets to-
day, and saw one that just suits me-
rich and subdued, you know, but no,
dingy."
"Carpets ?" | repeated, In some sur.
prise 81 didn't know that there was
one needed this season."
"Why, stupid" rejoined my wife
petulantly { md the emphasis was all
upon the petnlme), did we not agree
that the dining-room must be refur.
nished? And this carpet is so old anC
worn, of course it would not do at al
with new furniture"
Again | acquiesced silently, and she
proceeded to make plans for meeting
me the next day to examine and choose
the carpet and furniture to be purchased
later on. Well, if my wife's relation:
lett her handsome silver, l must O
course provide things in keeping with it
She met according to appointment
and having inspected the articles, gave
me to understand that my taste was SC
execrable as not to merit moments
consideration, and announcing her owr
choice, suggested cooIly:
"And now let's 60 look at the wall,
paper"
"Wall paper?" l echoed, blankly.
"Ot course, the room must be re.
papered if it is re-furnished. As for the
woodwork, 1 suppose there is no help
for that-it will just have to be regrained
Can they make that natural wood finish
on wood that has been painted2"
l started aghast; that silver was go
ing to cost me a pretty sum. But
was helpless-entirely SO my wife had
made up her mind.
That evening, she was much elated al
the prospect of beng surrounded by
such things as she had that day Sc
Iected. There was but one cloud or
her horizon.
"The dining-room will be nicer thar
the parlors," she remarked, plaintively
81 am afraid that they will really look
shabby"
SAID nothing, hoping that if SHE