The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1893-04-21
HOW THEY MANAGED.

IF ever l get married." said Elma, &
bright eyed girl of II, 'I won't be put
upon as mamma is?'
Where, my dear" asked Mrs. Ches
ney with little start
Unto the country" said the family
autocrat. 'I'm tired of this city bust
ness. 1t costs great deal more than il
comes to. I'm told you can live at hall
the expense in the country"
"But," gasped the wife, ''what is to be
come of the children's education?"
There's very good district school in
the neighborhood, not more than mile
distant" explained her husband, "and
exercise will do them good"
"And what are we to do for society,"
"PshawP' said Chesney, 81 would not
give rap for people who can't be soci-
ETY. for themselves. There'l be the house
work to do, you know-nobody keeps a
girl in the country-and plenty of chores
about the place for VIII and Spencer. l
shall keep horse if can get one cheap,
for the station is half mile from the
place, and I've bargained for couple of
cows and some pigs"
Meanwhile Mr.. Chesney explained to
his wife the various advantages which
were to accrue from the promised move.
Its unfortunate" said he, .'that Elma
and Rosie aren't boys. Such lot of
women folks are enough to swamp any
family. Men now can always earn their
bread. But we mpst try to make every
body useful in some way or other. It's
so healthy, you know" added he. "And
the rent won't be half of what we pay
here"
''Are there any modern conveniences
about the placer timidly inquired Mrs
Chesney.
.'Theres spring of excellent water
about hundred yards from the house.
said her husband.
Mrs. Chesney grew pale.
"Have got to walk a hundred yards
for every drop of water want?" said she.
"And large rainwater hogshead un-
der the caves of the house," added Mr..
Chesney. "And I've already got bar
gain in kerosene lamps. As for candles,
am given to understand that good
housekeepers make 'em themselves in tin
molds. There's nothing like economy.
Now / do beg to know, Abigail" he
added irritably, what You are looking
so lackadaisical about? Do you expect
to sit still and fold your hands while
do all the work? Give me woman for
sheer natural laziness!'
The first sight of Mulleinstalk farm
was dispiriting in the extreme Between
rock and swamp there was scarcely
pasture for the two lean cows that Mr..
Chesney had bought at bargain, and
the hollow backed horse which stalked
about the premises like some phantom
Bucephalus.
The apple trees in the orchard were
three quarters dead, and leaned sorrow
fully away from the east winds, until
their boughs touched the very ground,
fences had all gone to ruin and the front
gate was tied up with hemp string.
''Is this homer" said Elma, with an in
describable intonation in her voice.
well get things all Strengthened up
after awhile, /" said Mr.. Chesney, bustling
to drive away the pigs, which had broken
out of their pen and were squealing dis
mally under the window.
Mrs. Chesney cried herself to sleep that
night and awakened the next morning
with every bone instinct with shooting
pains.
And no wonder" said Spencer;
there's foot of water in the cellar"
1--WE must have it drained" said Mr..
Chesney, with an uneasy look; 'sbut
there's plenty of things to de first"
And now began reign of the strictest
L.
everything with checks, and not an arti-
Gle came into the house or went out of it
without his cognizance. New dresses
We're frowned upon; spring bonnets were
strictly interdicted; orders were issued
that old carpets should be reversed, and
broken dishes repaired with cement and
quicklime.
'sSave, save, save! that is the chief
thing" he kept repeating briskly ''Wom-
en- folks can't earn; they should try their
best to save
Boys" fluttered Rosie, GIVE an idea
Mary Penn. who lives ON the next farm,
you know, came over to see Elma and
me yesterday. Papa is earning his living;
We'll earn something too"
81 should like to know how, )" muttered
Spencer. 81 might hire out somewhere
if it wasn't for that wretched old horse,
and the pigs, and the wood chopping,
and"-
'Oh, but there is something that won't
interfere with the chores, Eor with
school" said cheerful little Rosie. ''Just
listen-all / ask of you is to listen"
And the weeks grew into months, and
the red leaves eddied down into little
swirls from the maple trees, and ''pig
killing time" came, and with the aid of a
lame, one eyed man Mr.. Chesney laid
down his own stock of pork and sau-
sages, with the sense of being triumph
antly economical.
The family had left off complaining
now. Apparently they were resigned to
their doom. But there were some things
that Mr.. Chesney could not explain at all.
A new rug frightened up the dismal
hues OF the parior carpet; Rosie had n
crimson merino dress, trimmed with
black velvet bars; Elmas fall Jacket
was edged with substantial black fur
and-grand climax of extrayarapce-
hrs. Chesney had new shawl in nlace
OF the old garment which had been her
mothers before her.
ne looked at the housekeeping books
with renewed vigilance. He consulted
tne stubs OF his checkbook with o notice
lias nothing could escape.
iUaont.know-how- = they man
age 1t" said he, scratching his nose ,v;tt
iead pencil that he always carried. 81
A's mysteries and I mean to be at the