Willmar tribune., 1897-12-28

Why, john" cried his wife. in dis
may, you didn't go without your din
ner yesterday:''
grimly.
Wouldn't it be better to come home
TO aiuner?" began Mrs. Newbury, then
broke off suddenly to exelaim in Still:
greater distress: And you had to
I'walk-both ways!"
L did, said Mr.. Newburt. while
Maud looked concerned, and Rob gave
vent to low whistle.
We'll, think that is a case Of neces-
Sity, l: is too hard for you. You must
borrow some money of somebody"
said Mrs. Newbrry, with decision.
"Fiddlesticks!" said Mr.. Newbury,
| his features relaxing with smile.
TN not complaining. In fact. rather
| ike it, Six miles a day is nothing to
k:n man.
I'm not so certain of it," said Mrs
! Se"bury. doubtingly.
Well, am,'' laughed he. All TIE
! afraid of is that it will give me such al
appetite that the cupboard will go bare
! before the month is OUT
The first week passed quite comfort
ably. With the housework to do Mrs.
/ Newbury did not miss the sewing she
| conldn't do; the table was we'll set. III
spite OF the absence Of meat and milk;
Nr \avhrr1- thriro1 ni- $rash ~
exercise, while Maud and Rob did the
same on their exercise indoors.
The second week was likewise fairly
comfort ble- To be sure, Maud allowed!
| the nose of the coffee pot TO melt off.
and the coffee had to be made in 4 ti3
pail, but this itself didn't much matter
as the coffee itself gave out few days
afterward- 1t was this week also, that
Rob's rubber boots sprang leak, and
he had to fall back on pair of Ma I'd 5
overshces. Then some one asked Maud
to give ten cents toward a certain char
table object, and thought very meanly
OF her for refusing. As a climax the
weeks washing was rained On soon
| after being hung out, and later froze
solitaly to the line Bat these trials
were of comparatively little moment,
and for the most part were easily en-
Edured.
| The third week began we'll. The
Ehens. of which Mr.. Newbury kept 20,
responded nobly to the mild weather,
land their eggs were a welcome addi-
/ rFon to vegetable diet. Bu. GU
! 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 =
time, and OF going to bed early.
! Thursday it was decided tha, still
further economy of kerosene would bs,
necessary. So Mrs. Netybury and Ma I'd
prepared supper while it was day. and
then sat in the dark till Mr.. Newbur.
! came. The lamp was the n 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 eAtinguished. and till be,l
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 Ge-
clared kerosene was On article one
could exist very comfortably without,
while to grope ones way to bed in the
dark was excellent exercise for ones
perceptive faculties.
WE'LL" said Mr. Newbury, at the be-
| ginning of the fourth week, shall we
back out?"
No, dont!" cried Rob. Its going tc
b. more fun this week than all the res;
put together::~
Il done think it would be right to-
said Maud. Vepromised.~
Its the hardest on you,~ said Mrs
Newbury, looking at her husband. with
your long walk and cold dinners
| You needn't back ont on nv ac-
count said Mr.. Newbury. Pm doin.
nicely, thank you'll"
Il don't want You to ON my account,
said Mrs. Newbury.
Then We'll grit our teeth and keer
it up to the bitter end" laughed Mr.
Newbury.
| This last week opened with a 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, macaroni, split peas
rice and potatoes there were had to be
given to the hens But there was nc
animal food, and the lack of this, to.
gether with the cold, had the effect oi
reducing the number Of eggs to two
Or three a day. ~~z -.
| And the butter gave ont and the
shortening. In fact, there was hard