The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-10-11


Mrs Greenleaf to comparatively good
spirits and she flew about industri-
ously, getting her mornings work
done up surprisingly early as she
planned the economies of the day,
shipping off yard of material here
and pinching quarter off the prob
able price of something else there.
Verify, her shopping promised to be
an exciting business requiring firm
self-denial and strict calculation to
make one dollar do the work of two.
1t is an easy matter for woman,
who has particle of taste or Judgment,
to go into store filled with beautiful
and useful things, and select the cheap
goods, well knowing that the better
quality is the best economy in the end;
but there was no other way for Mrs.
Grcenleaf to-day, and she carefully
weighed the balances in color and style
at the cheap cloak counter, the rem
nant counter. and bought underwear
with feeling of guilt, that being a
line of goods where economy is no vir-
tue. Yet she came to the end of her
money before the actual necessities
were off her list. to say nothing of the
hair ribbon for which IIetty had
pleaded. and the little bottle of per-
fumery which Mary had well earned
by many dutiful acts. The heart of
the mother swelled within her as she
reluctantly ordered the packages sent
home without these innocent Injuries.
If there had been any dire need of
such pinching economy she could have
submitted with the best of grace. but
there was not. Mr. Greenleaf, while
not rich man. was amply able to sup
port his family in comfort The sac
riice of one days smoking on his part
would have paid for the triHes over
which the girls would be so disap-
pointed, she reflected. as she turned
homeward. walking the half mile be-
cause her last penny was spent, even
to street-car fare. 1t did not make her
feel any happier to see Mr.. Greenleaf
passing out his cigar case to friend
as she turned corner, and she no.
tced that the friend generously helped
himself to two.
Seventy cents gone for cigars to-
day that know of, for Ephraim new
er smokes less than five" she said to
herself bitterly as she hurried along.
She did not wish to attract his notice
indeed, she felt too hard just then to
speak to him if he should give her the
opportunity.
Come on and lunch with me" she
heard him say just as she passed out
of hearing, and her lip curled con-
temptuously. Whole-hearted, generous
fellow. prince abroad, miser at
home; yet there are others of Mr..
Greenleaf's type.
Sewing, ch? | don't see how you
women can contrive to be forever sew
ing" Mr.. Greenleaf said, airily. as his
wife drew out her work basket after
the warm supper had been served.
Mary and Hetty were doing up the
dishes in the kitchen, so that mother
could commence work on the new
school dresses.
Perhaps if you had the contriving
to do for five you would find out she
replied, with more spirit than she
usually displayed.
"Oh, yes, | suppose you must get the
new fallals, the rutfies and Fuckers in
place" he replied. in a facetious vein.
He had felt really liberal and great
hearted all day in the serene con-
seriousness of having done the square
thing by his family-handing out
money-good, commercial money-his
money. in fact, and with an unusually
small amount of friction, not even
docking the sum asked, as he often did.
'Ruffies and fallals, indeed" Mrs.
Greenleaf's temper was all which could
afford ruffiing in that hoGse under
present conditions, and she wondered
grimly if he had any conception of the
extra stitches his righteousness en-
tailed upon her-the ripping and max
ing over, the interminabl mending
which, if her time was worth any
thing, cost more than new material.
The sewing for her family however
plainly she could do it. was a serious
task without all this extra trouble of
robbing Peter to pay Paul through an
endless variety of makeshifts: but Mr.
Greenleaf read his evening paper in
serene Inconsistencies of her perplex-
ieiCo oIC Lui iiti llCl WILLS
way and that, trying to get the dresses
ont from piece of goods a half-yard
short.
Mr.. Greenleaf had occasion to do
some shopping few days later. He
didn't consult his wife or inquire how
many patches would be required to re-
fit his wardrobe for the winter. Oh
no, that was not his style of architec-
ture. With the first November blast
he stepped into furnishing store and
asked for underwear.
This is the best line of goods we
have in the house." said the clerk,
displaying a splendid value of all-wool
goods, fine, warm and we'll made.
The best price. too, Doubtless Mr..
Greenleaf replied, playfully.
"Oh! yes, though the best is always
the cheapest, we calculate. Three
dollars the suit, now, isn't dear, when
you consider the wear and the
warmth
IN take two suits" Mr.. Greenleaf
promptly replied. II believe in buying
a good article when | buy
lie called for shirts next. lie had
more shirts than Mrs. Greenleaf had
| dresses lint he had lost a COLLAR hutton