The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-11-28
Mr.. PERIWINKLE'S ECONOMY.

| declare, Jane, our grocery bill
this month is outrageous perfectly
exorbitant, Mr.. Periwinkle said, a
he sat back from the table anC
looked over the bill his wife had jus
handed him.
1t seems to be all right, though
Mrs. Periwinkle said quietly.
looked over the bill carefully there
is nothing charged to us we have no
had.
Then | must say we have had al
awful sight of groceries for a family
no larger than ours. don't see how
you can possibly make away with sc
much here is enough sugar charged
in this months bill to have done
my mother with her large family
half a year. We shall be confirmed
dyspeptics, and in the poorhou, {
besides, before we are forty years
old, if you don't stop making rich
pies and cake. And don't see why
you will persist IN trading at
Duskan's he's the highest priced
man in town, and I've told you tine
and again.
| trade there because | get the
best articles, and you always want
the best of everything.
No, l don't want the best of every
thing it's you that wants the best OF
everything. You are not willing to
cook unless you have the finest of
flour although there is not halt the
nutriment in it-and other things ac-
cordingiy and then you use such
quantities, there was as much steak
left yesterday as there was eaten,
and who cares for cold steak
But we were expecting company
you remember, and | prepared &C
cordingly.
0, yes, there is always some good
reason for its costing us more to
live than any one else in town, Of
course, Mr.. Periwinkle said angrily,
as he snatched his hat and started
out OF doors.
This was not the first time Mrs.
Periwinkle had received a stinging
rebuke for her alleged extravaganza.
OF course she knew her husband
did not mean a word of it, but that
didn't prevent him from stinging.
Two or three times she had wept
bitterly over his unkind words, once
or twice she had talked back with
considerable vim, to-day she did
neither only, after her husband had
gone out, she shut her lips together
firmly and went to work.
Mr.. Periwinkle came home to his
dinner in excellent spirits. Things
had gone we'll at the store, and dys-
pepsla and the poorhouse were alike
forgotten. He chatted pleasantly as
he ate rather sparingly of the cod
fish and potatoes, reserving his
appetite for the delicious apple
dumplings which we're sure to supple
ment a fish dinner.
Now for the dumplings, he said as
he pushed away his plate, and used
his napkin with a boyish flourish
quite charming.
l didn't make any to day, |
thought they didn't agree with you,
and | wouldn't make them just for
myself, said his wife kindly.
Mr.. Periwinkle looked disap-
pointed, but spoke cheertuliy. All!
yet, it is better for us to do without
them, | perceive, if one only knew
where to leave off, and having found
a suitable place to leave off-on the
first halt of a very plain molasses
cooky-Mr. Periwinkle went down
town with a very unsatistied stomach
and a great fear tugging at his
heart strings that the good seed
sown in the morning had taken
deeper root than was desirable.
AS he came home to his evening
meal, Mr.. Periwinkle saw some
delicious Strawberries temptingly dis
played in a store window. He
would have bought some, but sup
posed his wife had already done so.
| see strawberries are in the
market. Mr.. Periwinkle said, as he
took his seat at the table and dished
out the dried apple sauce.
Yes, but they are so high, said
the economical Mrs Periwinkle, it
would seem
Good gracious Jennie, what ails
this bread? ? interrupted her husband,
holding up slice for inspection.
Nothing ; only have been trying
different grade Oh flour, 1t is
rather dark, but seems light and
sweet.
And very nutritious dare say,
Mr.. Periwinkle remembered his own
words, ard resolved to stand by
them, but it looks a little cold your
bread was always so nice and white.
The next morning Mr.. Periwinkle
found fault with the butter, declar-
ing it simply execrable.
Whjs isn't that good butter his
w asked in indignant surprise.
1arl said it was perfectly $
/