The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-05-10
HOW THEY MANAGED.

that. Mrs. Chesney had always been a
silent partner N the same.
IF ever / get married. T" said Elma,
bright eyed girl of-17, i won't be put
upon as mamma IS;
Where, my dear asked Mrs Ches-
ney with a little start
Unto the country said the family
autocrat I'm tired Of this city bust
ness. II costs a great deal more than it
comes to. I'm told you can live at half
the expense IN the country"
But, gasped the wife, what Is to be
come Of the childreu's educaiong
There's a very good district school in
the neighborhood. not more than mile
distant" explained her husband, and
exercise viii do them good
And what are we TO DO for society,"
"Pshaw." said Chesney, i would not
give a rap for people who can't be soci-
ETY. for themselves. There'n be the house
work TO do, YOU know-nobody keeps
girl IN the couutry-and plenty Of chores
about the place for VIII and Spencer. !
shall keep a horse if / can get one cheap,
for the station is half a mile from the
UAdESs anu &c AsAA taalAlsA AAA a AAtt "a
cows and some pigs.
Meanwhile Mr.. Clesney explained 10
his wife the various advantages which
were 10 accrue from the promised move.
Its unfortunate, said he, '.that Elma
and Rosie aren't boys. Such lot Of
women folks are enough 10 swamp any
family. Men now can always earn theiE
bread. But we must Try 70 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 convenience
about the place. tinlidly inquired Mrs,
Chesney.
There's a spring Of excellent water
about a hundred yards from the house" "
said her husband
Mrs. Chesney grew pale.
Have / got TO walk a hundred yards
for every drop Of water wanty' said she.
And large raiawateT hogshead un-
der the caves Of the house, added Mr.
Chesney. And I've already got a bar
gain in kerosene lamps. As for candles,
1 am given to understand that good
housekeepers make aeIn themselves IN tin
smolds There's nothing Ike economy.
Now ] do beg to know, Abigail, be
added irTli2bly. what yOu are looking
so lackadaisical about? Do you expect
10 sit still and fold your hands while
do all the work? Give me woman for
sheer natural lazinessi"
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 a bargain, and
the hollow backed horse which stalked
about the premises ike 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 toruin and the front
gate was tied up with hemp string.
"Is this homeg' said Elma, with an in
describable intonation IN her voice.
We'll get things all Strengthened mp
after awhile, said Mr.. Chesney, bastling
20 drive away the pigs, which had broken
out Of their pen and We're 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 a foot of water in the cellar"
I'VE must have 1t drained" said Mr..
Chesney. with an uneasy look; but
there's plenty Of things 10 do first
And now began reign Of the stUctest
economy. Mr. Chesney himself paid for
everything with checks, and not an arti-
cle came into the house or went out Of It
ithout his cog1lizance. New dresses
were frowned upon; spring bonnets were
strictly interdicted; orders were issued
that old carpets should be reversed, and
broken dishes repaired with cement and
quicklime.
Save, save, save, that is the chief
thing, he kept repeating briskly. Won
en- folks can't earn; they should try their
best to save"
BOYS, fluttered Rosie. 'Tve 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;
well earn something too"
I should Ike 70 know how, muttered
Spencer. i might hire out somewhere
If it wasn't for that wretched old horse.
and the pigs. and the wood ohopping,
and--
'Oh, but there Is something that won't
interfere with the chores, nor with
school. said cheerful little Rosie. "Jast
hsten-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 couldnot explain at al.
a new rug frightened up the dismal
hues of the parloF carpet; Rosie had a
crimson merino dress, trimmed with
black velvet bars: Elma's fall Jacket
was edged with substantial black fur,
snd-grsnd climax Of extravagance-
Mrs. Chesney had new shawl IN place
OF the old garment which had been her
mothers before her.
He looked at the housekeeping books
with renewed vigilance He consulted
the stubs Of his checkbook with a notice
that nothing could escape.
I-don't-know- - they man
age it. said he. scratching his nose with
a lead pencil that hc always carried. Il
hate mysteries, and mean 10 be At the
bottom Of this before am an hour older. 1
Abigail" said he, .how Is this I've
given you no money; you've long left of /
asking for money. How have You man /
aged TO smarter yourself and the chill +
oren up sog ] won't be cheated by my /
own WIFE
Elma sat down the pitcher which she
was wiping and came aud stood before i
her father with glittering eyes and cheeks +
stained with crimson. Ikea flag Of battle. i
'Papa," she said. You must not speak +
TO mamma so. Mamma would not cheat +
you nor nobody else. It's money we've +
earned ourselves
Mr.. Chesney stared at the girl with IN
creaulons eyes.
And # You don't believe it come and +
see how, said Elma, finging down her
towel. Mary Penn showed us. She
rof1 80 ar-s--,--f -. I, - -