The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-06-14
MR.. AND MRS. BoWsER.
They Have a Little Talk on Family
Extravaganza.

RAPOAS l. O4@O Jul 40 Jill ~
last month is sixty cents higher than
for the month previous, and that with
an hour more daylight every day"
Eyes 1 also noticed it," the quietly
replied.
1T is not extravaganza, but reck-
less waste, Mrs. Bowser, and must be
stopped" he continued. eff 1 we're
running this house it seems to me I'd
know whether the cook was burning
gas all night or not"
"The cook usesa lamp, Mr.. Bowser."
"Then who wasted that gas?"
"You did!7
"W-what!"
"On four different occasions last
month you left the burner in the bath
room going all night, and it's a wonder
the sixty cents covered it,"
Mrs. Bowser, do you know what
you are saying"
Il do. say you left the gas burn
ing. That's your reckless way, If
you we're running this house, MI.
Bowser, people would call it a lunatic
asylum inside Of four weeks"
Mr.. Bowser got up to assume his
favorite pose and squelch her, but she
stopped him with a waveo of her hand
and continued:
do you know now much money I
have had per week for the last three
months for my own personal use?"
MRS. Bowser, are you addressing
me?" he demanded.
Certainly. There is no one else
present to address, I have been figur-
ing it up, and it isn't two dollars per
week. You were talking about ex
travagance, you know. How much
do your cigars cost you per week, Mr..
Bowser2"
He started at her as if he doubted
whether he was in his right senses.
At least three dollars a week." she
went on. "You belong to two clubs,
and your expenses there are at least
five dollars per week. You manage to
throw away at least two dollars more
during the week-making ten in all"
Mrs. Bowser, do you expect me to
submit to this sort of talk22 he shouted
as he sprangu \.
BE calf, Mr., Bowser," she replied,
I've r talking about family extrava
gance, you know. Our gesbill jumped
up sixty cents, and we are trying to
find the leak. Now, then, you belong
to three or four secret societies. What
are your dues and expenses in each9'
He tried to speak, but the words
gurgled in his throat, and he turned
red clear back to his a collar
button.
And another thing, Mr.. Bowser,"
she went on in a voice which he seemed
to hear as in a dream, you are con
stantly bringing home things Of no
earthly account to any one, but which
cost money. We have an old fire
escape down cellar which cost eight
dollars. You have brought home
twenty dollars worth of drugs which
l have had to throw out. Some one
made you believe your liver vas out
of order, and you paid six dollars for
a pad which you eve wore fifteen
minutes"
Mrs. Bowser," he finally found
voice to shout, and she made a pause,
"do you know who I am? Have you
the remotest idea who you are talk
ing to-"
"You are Mr.. Bowser, Of course"
she calmly replied. please don't
speak so loud, as I have a headache.
I saw by the paper the other day that
you gave twenty-five dollars to help
buy a testimonial for somebody. You
were also put down as giving ten dol
lars to some benevolent fund. You
had four good suits of clothing in the
house when you got the fifth one. [
counted five hats and four pairs of
shoes in your closet yesterday. Only
two weeks ago you paid six dollars for
a Turkish pipe which some n recon-
mended, and yesterday you sent home
six bottles of stomach bitters which
will one day have to be thrown into the
garbage barrel"
"Mrs. Bowser, IL
BE calm, Mr.. Bowser! We are
talking on the subject of family ex-
travagance. Here is my outfit Of
gloves. l got them down on purpose
to show you. There are three pairs,
but not one of them fit to wear on the
street. Here are my handkerchiefs.
Do you think you could sell the whole
lot for a dollar? I have been wanting
some perfumery and toilet water, but
could not afford them. I was going
down to the sale of twenty cent tooth