The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-12-30

d weeks washing was raincd on soc
after being hung out, and later fro,
solidIy to the line. But these trio
were of comparatively little momar
and for the most part were easily .,
dured.
The third week began well III
4 hens of which Mr.. Newbury kept q
responded nobly to the mid weatbo,
and their eggs were a welcome add'
ton to a vegetable diet. Bu+ o.
Wednesday their feed gave out. an,
they must be supplied from the bonse
Other things gave out; apples role,
oats. and, worst of all, sugar.
Monday, Mrs. Newbury had m
nounced that the kerosene barrel ,,.a,
empty, and after this the family mad,
a point of burning but one lamn At
time, and of going to bed early
| Thursday it was decided tba+ .4:,,
further economy of kerosene wonId b,
necessary. So Mrs. Newbury and \rand
prepared supper while it was dav. and
then sat in the dark till Mr.. Newbur1.
came. The lampwas then lit. sumner 90
hastily eaten, and while Maud H.oshol,
and wiped the dishes her moth
made everything ready for oettina
breakfast quickly, for Mr.. Neyhn,7,
had to start away before the sun oroso
When Maud had finished the disbos
the light was eNtinguished. and tin hod
time the family sat around the sittino.
room fire, which shone tbronG1 ~
- : steve --s'7a, sod 90 de-
, l~o--4 4-->e Pleasa44., LOG ~ coG4su
reading, writing or sewingSwere 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
perceptiye faculties.
We'll" said Mr.. Newbury, at the be
ginning of the fourth week, shall we
back out?"
NO, don't!" cried Rob. ITS going to
be more fun this week than all the rest
put together!"
81 don't think it would be right to-
said Maud. Wepromised."
ITS 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 ac-
count" said Mr.. Newbury. I'm doing
nicely, thank you'll"
az don't Nyo =, Won 10 IN NV
said Mrs. Newbury.
Then Wen grit our teeth and keep
it up to the bitter end" laughed Mr..
Newbury.
This last week opened with a ire
mendous slOwstOrm, followed by
zero weather, and Mr.. Newbury
found his thtee-mile walk no pleasure
excursion.
The house supplies began to run low.
What Indian meal, macaroni, split peas,
rice and potatoes there were had to be
given to the hens. But there was no
animal tood, 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
s.tys - ! IT, e - -=ubstantial ma
ture excepting Hour and canned fruit.
saturday was rainy, and the soap box
was empty, so the washing had to be
done with a small remnant of washing
powder and dried in the attic
Sunday was rainy also. and seemed
.interminab,e, but the family spirits
Iwere good, for now the end was in sight.
The last day of the last week in Jan
quarry came, and Mr.. Newbury returned
home at night to 4 frugal supper and
three smiling and triumphant individ-
uals
"Well, we've done it," he exclaimed
gleefully opening his pocketboob and
displaying a roll of bills Heres a
whole months salary, and we don't owe
a cent Of it,"
at is worth all it has cost" said Mrs.
Newbury, in tone of conviction,
though the past week has been simply
dreadful, and | hope and pray I may
never have to live another like it,"
ut was like a siege" said Maud, "and
I'm proud to think we held.out."
"'Twas a jolly lark" said Rob, with
a chuckle, but all the same Pm rather
glad it's over, and that we're going to
have something 10 eat. I'm a trife tired
Of BUTTERFLIES biscuit, milkless cocoa and |
sugarless sauce"
And | suspicion that mother is tired |
ofaNorah-less kitchen" laughed Maud. |
She had hardly spoken when there
was the sound of the outside door be-
ing opened and Norah' voice was heard |
directing some one about her trunk.
Mrs. Newbury drew long breath.
ut needed but this to make my happi- |
ness complete" she murmured.
Now" she said, when Norah had |
been greeted and had gone upstairs,
now why not extend our New Years |
lll1epr,psrvT one clause of it, ratherY''
DFor how long?"
oOh-foreyer. Let us make it rule
= our lives never to get in debt, but