The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-03-26

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the ladies exchanged chances, and O.
faint giggle was heard, and. as though
by common consent, the two were left
tete-a-tete in corner
pleasant day." said Peter, to
commence the conversation. "Pleas-
ant day, but cold" e..
"Ah, yes; but dislike cold weather."
said the lady.
Don't agree with you, ma'am?"
"Oh, that's not it. Pm never i'll:
but cold weather is so expensive.
Lights early, and coal dear" proceed
ed the lady. "Money slip s through
ones fingers; and never waste things.
'My case exactly" said Buskirk
cts astonishing how things cost.
Now, there is butter-say a pound q
Fortnight"
''Oh, l never eat butter,-it costs
too much" said the lady.
"Ah! and sugar and tea and coffee"
eff you indulge in such luxuries,
what can you eXDect?" said Mrs. Bar
low.
''They are artificial wants alto
gether, so they are, " said Mr.. Buskirk.
But then, habit is second nature"
"Extravagant habits ruin MANY"
said Mrs. Barlow. "Oh! | shudder
when look at those Hounces. Such
a waste of material.''
'Tve often thought So" said Peter.
''But you don't wear them?'
a." said Mrs. Barlow II have my
| senses, sir, I've no wish to die in a
workhouse. I've had this dress ten
years"
''Indeed!' said Peter "And I sup
pose some ladies buy one every ten
months.'
ever ten days." said Mrs. Barlow.
ION, blush tormy sex, Mr. Buskirk,
do, indeed"
Peter was charmed. He began to
think Mrs. Brown right. The cost
OF such a wife would be mere trifle,
and what an eye she would keep to the
expenses of a household. Besides, she
was pretty and young-a prize if ever
there was one.
Ere the evening was over he had de-
cided that it would be cheaper to mar
~ than to remain single, were Mrs.
Barlow his helpm ate.
"She'd not only be saving herself.
but she would check me in my little
extravagances," said he "She would
be invaluable to me. She wears one
dress ten years. The fates must have
sent her on earth for my especial bene-
fit'
So, after due consideration, Peter
resolved to court the economical
widow, and that lady being conven-
lently domiciled at Mrs. Browns he
found every opportunity.
1t was a very inexpensive court
ship. He gave her not present. She
expected none. He took her nowhere
save to church, where neither of them
ever saw the plate, and both were hap
Ply.
At last he proposed. She blushed
and hesitated, and begged time to
consider. At last she said:-'I am
afraid to say yes, Mr.. Buskirk. I like
you; but you are so terribly extrava-
CANT. You drink tea and coffee, and
eat butter, and really should fear
coming to want, I should, indeed.''
~! Why, Pm the most economical
soul living" said Peter.
"Extravagant people always think
that,' said the lady. ''No, I'm afraid
to say yes, unless, indeed, you were to
make property over to me, so that
could be sure you would not ruin
yourself. OF course that is impossible,
and it would be such a care that
could scarcely desire it, even for a
gentleman so much respect"
And the economical relict blushed
and hesitated.
1t was Peters turn to pause and
consider. He went away to do so, and
returning suddenly to his house. found
his servingmaid selling dripping to a
man. He dismissed her at once, and
rushed back to the Widow Barlow's.
fMy money would be safer in your
hands than mime" he said, with a
moarn. "Marry me, and keep me from
being ruined!'
What the widows answer was may
be judged from the fact that three
weeks from that day they were united
the clergyman receiving five shillings
from Peter, and the bride wearing her
brown merino, in the pocket of which
she carefully deposited the deeds which
made the property exclusively her
own.
''Now for happiness said Peter.
mo more thlevlng ServantS-nO more
waste-and a lovely wife into the bar
gain, He, he, he! Peter Buskirk is the
man for luck"
And he took his bride home to dine
on cold meat and radishes, being alb
solutely ashamed even to speak of his
accustomed mutton chop before SO
economical a lady. ~
The next morning he hurried off to
business. .F-..rs "s5
"Never waste time, love-" said the
newly married dame. Besides, I've
a great deal to attend to;.so--good-
bye" .. ..2...s.
"Good-bye," responded Peter.
"What a treasure you are, my dear.
The washing, I suppose? My mother
always washed on Monday"
And away he went, content with
himself and all the world. @.". -.
At six he returned. Horror of hor-
rors! there were ladders against his
house, and men upon them. Had
there been a fire? He rushed up braeth-
less. @r...
'What is the matter? Who are these
mem" he painted. "Fire! thieves! Oh!
1 must be dreaming"