The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-01-03
THE WRONG END.

-iage.
And certainly few of her sex in the same
position had fairer prospects for heartfelt,
happiness than she.
Her husband-that was to be-had a
small but fourishing business, the avails
nf which in skillful, economical hands
would not only provide for family very
nicely, but leave a small margin.
Aunt Sarah. nice old lady, was visit
ing the family at the time that the prepa-
rations usual ON such occasions were going
actively forward.
One pleasant morning in May Maud
was in the latter's chamber, talking over
her plans and prospects.
And a very pretty picture she made sit
ting on low ottoman at Aunt Sarahs
knee, the soft, bright color coming and
going in the dimpled cheek and the large,
brown eyes radiant with glad anticipa-
tions of all that the future had in store
for her.
''You see, auntie, we have concluded to
go directly to housekeeping Waller thinks
that to be the most sensible plan, and SO
do 1. You know he has the house on
Temple street that his father left him and
l the $500 that grandpa left me and which
will furnish it nicely. Five hundred dol
lars is great deal of money, auntie, and
will go long way
The old lady looked down smilingly in
to the eager eyes that were lifted to her
face.
SIT is more than twice what had my
dear. But whether it will &C lon4wa
will depend good deal on how it is ex-
pended.
"Oh, 1 shall expend it very judicious-
ly, as you will see" responded Maud,
with a nod of her wise little head. 81
mean that it shall be just TIE contest, the
happiest, little home in the world.
81 am going out this morning to make
the necessary purchases, =" she added ris-
ing to her feet, land 1 am so sorry that
your rheumatism is worse, for had count
ed great deal on your aid and advice in
selecting them."
81 am sorry, too, Maud, for I should
have been glad to go with you. AS it is,
have only one piece of advice to give
you: Don't make any purchases today,
but jot down what you intend to buy,
together with what each article will cost,
making your purchases tomorrow.
Maud laughed gayly as she stopped to
kiss the old lady's cheek
81 know why you ask me to do that,
auntie. 1 promise, though there is not a
bit of danger, as you will see."
Warbling happy song that sprang
from the fullness of her own happy heart,
Maud ran away to get her things.
She was as good as her word. Entering
her aunt's room four hours later, she look
ed a little flushed and tired from her long
walk, but in as high spirits as ever, and
holding in her hand long roll of paper.
''I'm back at last" she said, sinking
down into seat. 'sThere were SO many
things to examine that it took me longer
than I expected. And l haven't finished
now. There is the kitchen furniture to be
selected
$50 you selected the parlor furniture
first?''
"Yes; / went first to Stetson's to look
at carpets and curtains, and from there to
Bertrand's for the upholstery. I then
took the chambers and sitting room.
"And, oh, the beautiful things that
saw, aunt! 1t was really hard to make q
selection, though of course had to choose
those that were plain and inexpensive"
Aunt Sarah smiled as she ran her eye
over the long list that her niece handed
her.
"Now, my dear, suppose you sit down
and add all these figures up"
And, pencil in hand, Maud sat down te
her task, her countenance undergoing 6
remarkable transformation as she pro
ceeded.
She added the figures over twice ant
then raised her eyes in silent perplexity tt
those that were fixed inquiringly upor
her.
well, how much have you left to fur
nish the kitchen?"
1o1l ,fx-A &c %
The old lady smiled at the rueful lool
that accompanied these words.
81 did not think you would have 81
much. 1t will not go long way toward
getting the articles so indispensable t,
housekeeping.
81 should think not. Dear, dear, VIII
would suppose that they would amount t,
that? I'm sure I've put nothing dowl
that is not absolutely indispensable"
And Maud again ran her eyes over tn
list with disconsolate air.
Aunt Sarah smiled
81 think saw some articles there tina
you could contrive to live without But
you think not you can take what is lef
and buy couple of plates, two knives ant
| forks and a saucepan or so. 1t is no con
sequence about the kitchen SO long as yol
have an elegant parlor.
| "Now, you are laughing at me, aunt.
really thought had enough to furnish
| house very nicely"
And SO you have, my dear, quite NIGEL
enough for two young persons just com
mencing life. The trouble is you begal
| at the wrong end"
''What do you mean?"
| "Simply this: That in furnishing you
house you should have begun at the kitche
| instead of the parlor-selected the mus
| haves, the things necessary to your CON
| fort and convenience before venturing O
| the ornamental" 4"
A new light seemed to dawn on Maud
mind, but she still looked far from satis
fed.
eff do so, don't believe that shall /
able to furnish my parlor at ALL"
"Supposing you should not-at leas
until your means are larger?'
| Maud opened her eyes widely.
"What, and have no place in which
receive my friends?"
"You will have comfortable, pleasa1
little sitting room, which you considi
quite good enough for your husbands lie
sure hours and your own. Any frien(
worthy of the name will come to see yol
not your furniture; otherwise they ha
best stay away"
Maud was a sensible little body and r
solved to follow Aunt Sarah's counse
nor did she ever have cause to regret it.
In the course of few years she had h,
parlor as nicely furnished as she cou
wish.
And she enjoyed it all the better th
she did not sacrifice to attain it the re
comforts of life by beginning at the wro1
end.-Exchange.
He Kept 1t.
"He is the most notable rich man
| el, &, Of fbo