Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-12-30


were Of comparatively little moment,
and for the most part were easily en-
dured.
The third week began well. The
hens, of which Mr.. Newbury kept 20,
responded nobly TO the mild weather,
and their eggs were welcome addi-
ton to n vegetable diet. But on
Wednesday their feed gave out, and
they must be supplied from the house.
Other things gave out; apples, rolled
oats, and, worst Of all, sugar.
Monday, Mrs. Newbury had an
nounced that the kerosene barrel was
empty, and after this the family made
point OF burning but one lamp at 4
time, and Of going to bed early.
Thursday it was decided that still
further economy of kerosene would be
necessary. So Mrs. Newbury and Maud
prepared supper while it was day, and
then sat in the dark till Mr.. Newbury
came. The lamp then lit, supper was
hastily eaten, and while Maud washed
and wiped the dishes her mother
made everything ready for getting
breakfast quickly, for Mr., Newbury
had to start away before the sun arose.
When Maud had finished the dishes,
the light was eXtinguished, and till bed
time the family sat around the sitting
room fire, which shone through the
mica in the stove door and made the
room quite pleasant, though of course
reading, writing or sewing were en-
tirely out of the question. But they
could talk, and Maud could play on the
piano for the others to sing, and all de-
clared kerosene was an article one
could exist very comfortably without,
while to grope ones way to bed in the
dark was excellent exercise for ones
perceptive faculties.
"Well," said Mr.. Newbury, at the be-
ginning of the fourth week, shall we
back outP"
"No, don't!" cried Rob. "It's going to
be more fun this week than all the rest
put togetherl"
IT don't think 1t would be right to-"
said Maud. 1--WE promised"
"It's the hardest on YOU" said Mrs.
Newbury, looking at her husband, with
your long walk and cold dinners"
you needn't back out on my &C.
count" said Mr.. Newbury. I'm doing
nicely, thank you'll"
81 don't want you to on my account"
said Mrs. Newbury.
"Then Wen grit our teeth and keep
it up to the bitter end" laughed Mr..
Newbury.
This last week opened with tre-
mendous snowstorm, followed by
zero weather, and Mr.. Newbury
found his three-mile walk no pleasure
excursion.
The house supplies began to run low.
What Indian meal, macaronf, split peas,
rice and potatoes there were had to be
given to the hens. But there was no
animal food, and the lack of this, to-
gether with the cold, had the effect Of
reducing the number of eggs to two
or three a day.
And the butter gave out and the
shortening. In fact, there was hard
ly anything left of substantial ma
ture excepting flour and canned fruit.
Saturday was rainy, and the soap box
was empty, so the washing had to be
done with n small remnant of washing
powder and dried in the attic,
Sunday was rainy also, and seemed
interminable, but the family spirits
were good, for now the end was in sight.
The last day of the last week in Jan
uary came, and Mr.. Newbury returned
home at night to a frugal supper and
three smiling and triumphant indlvid-
uals.
''Well, we've done it," he exclaimed
gleefully, opening his pocketbook and
displaying a roll of bills. Here's a
whole months salary, and we don't owe
a cent of it,"
"It is worth all it has cost" said Mrs.
Newbury, in a tone of conviction,
though the past week has been simply
dreadful, and 4 hope and pray l may
never have to live another like it,"
ut was like SIEGE" said Maud, land
I'm proud to think we held out"
"Twas jolly lark" said Rob, with
a chuckle, but all the same I'm rather
glad it's over, and that we're going to
have something to eat. I'm tritle tired
of BUTTERFLIES biscuit, milkless cocoa and
sugarless sauce"
"And l suspicion that mother is tired
of a Norah-less kitchen" laughed Maud.
She had hardly spoken when there
was the sound of the outside door be-
ing opened and Norah's voice was heard
directing some one about her trunk.
Mrs. Newbury drew long breath.
sit needed but this to make my happi-
ness complete" she murmured.
"Now," she said, when Norah had
been greeted and had gone upstairs,
snow why not extend our New Years
resolution or one clause of it, rather"
For how long?"
"Oh-forever. Let us make it rule
of our lives never to get in debt, but
to pay cash for every single thing we
buy at the time we buy it"
"Yes," said Maud, NOW we're safely
out of the clutches of the octopus, do,
for PHYS sake, let us keen out"