Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-01-16
MISTAKEN ECONOMY.

-We really must economic somehow
or ether, jose, said my husband, tug
ging wildly at his whiskers.
Yes, indeed, we must, | said, wiring
ing hands. But am sure, my dear
we are neither of Us extravagant. We
must eat, we must drink, and we must
live"
Then we sat and looked at each other
in sort of mild despair.
We had only been married six months,
Obadiah and l. We were very young,
and pc haps we hal begun the world too
early. Our relations told us we had no
business to marry; but as their gratuitous
opinions were all that they had ever
given u, or ever intended to give us, we
had not paid much attention to these
utterances.
We had taken little one story cottage,
just on the high road, which was to let
cheap, because there were only two rooms
and a kitchen to it. But what did Obadiah
and / want wi II more than two rooms
and a kitchen? / had the furniture which
Grandmother Newcomb had given me,
and a rag carpet which my poor mother
had woven the winter before she died
To be sure, our accommodations were not
extensive, but we did not expect 10 hold
fashionable receptions or to give large
dinner parties.
Obadiah had plenty of work in the
wooden factory, down by the depot, and
hung out my little sign. Dire; Smashing
and Millinery" and hoped that some one
would see it, and come in and give me an
order. But no one came. i had plenty
of time after my housekeeping duties
were over in the morning, and l couldn't
be always beeswaxiug the furniture,
arranging the china cupboard, or polish
ing the windows.
Il wish could get some dressmaking
to dol" l said wistfully, and did SO long
for dollar or two of my own.
why don't you advertise in the village
paper?" said old MIR. Meggs.
Obadiah burst out laughing.
"Advertise!" said he. why, what On
earth do you take us for, Mr.. Meggs? 1t
costs deal of money to advertise.
1T cots something certainly, said Mr..
Meggs, thoughtfully stroking his chin,
but then it calls public attention to the
particular sort Of iron you have in the
fire.
"A little local paper like that" said
Obad all, rather con emptuously.
Its local custom that your wife wants,
isn't it 2" said Mr. Meggs.
And never did think much of news
papers, added Obadiah.
So that settled he question: and after
ward. when the foreman of the WOODEN
factory cut down the wages of the work
men 90 per cent, and coal went up and
the winter set in hard and cold, and we
begun to consider the question of how
and where we could economize, the local
paper was almost the very first thing UPON
which my husband settled.
That. at least, is an unnecessary ex-
travagance, he sad.
I WINGED a little. The Boggsville
Herald lad been my companion for more
lonely evenings than cared to remember.
Its only $l.5J a year, Obadiah, and
really it's very int esting little paper, !"
/ said.
Just 81 so too much," said my hus-
band CURLY. The subscription is just
out. I'll tell them we won't renew it,
II you care % much about it, Josie. you
can e. silly borrow Mrs. Meggs's paper.
/ was silent. / never could make Oba-
diah understand the deeprooted aversion
TO borrowing from any one, which had
inner ted from my mother.
So we gave up the weekly paper, and
left of using butter, and burned candles
a penny pound cheaper. and l sponged
and cleaned and rebound and new but
toned Obadiahs great coat, instead of
buying a new one, and left off going to
church because my old clolk was SO
shabby and | couidn't afford anything
better. And oh, how / did miss the Her
aldi
If could only get little dressmak-
ing to do" ] said to myself, IL would
subscribe again. But / can not bear TO
ask Obadiah for cent of his hardearned
money.
Twas sitting by the window, sad and
lonely, one freezing February day, try
ing 10 me Il an old waistcoat of Oba-
diah's. so that it would last few days
longer, whel travelling peddler with a
huge basket of china ornaments on one
arm and a bundle on his shoulder knocked
at the door He nodded at me in an in
sinuatiny manner as / answered the
summons.
sOouldn't / sell you anything this
morning. ma'am ?" he said, with a liberal
I'd splay Of very white and even teeth.
l.Anything in the way Of elegant mantel
vases, statuettes, decorated china, match
boxes"