El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-16
THE WRONG END.


And certainly few of her sex in the Same
position had fairer prospects for heartfelt,
substantial happiness than she.
Her huSband-that was to be-had a
small but f1ourishing business, the avails
of which in skillful, economical hands
would not only provide for family very
nicely, but leave small margin.
Aunt Sarah. a 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 a low ottoman at Aunt Sarah 8
knee, the soft, bright color coming and
going in the dimpled cheek and the large,
brown eyes radiant with glad anticipa-
lions of all that the future had in store
for her.
You see, auntie, we have concluded to
go directly to housekeeping. Walter thinks
that to be the most sensible plan, and so
do I. You know he has the house on
Temple street that his father left him and
I the $500 that grandpa left me and which
will furnish it nicely. Five hundred dol
lars is a 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.
"It is more than twice what had, my
dear. But whether it will go a long way
will depend a good deal on how it is ex-
pended
'Oh, shall expend it very judicious-
ly, as you will see," responded Maud,
with nod of her wise little head. 81
mean that it shall be just the 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,
I 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 a 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 little flushed and tired from her long
walk, but in as high spirits as ever. and
holding in her hand a long roll of paper.
''I'm back at last" she said, sinking
down into a seat. There were so many
things to examine that it took me longer
than expected. And I haven't finished
now. There is the kitchen furniture to be
selected
$50 you selected the parlor furniture
first?"
Eyes; I went first to Stetson's to look
at carpets and curtains, and from there to
Bertrand's for the upholstery. 1 then
took the chambers and sitting room.
''And, oh, the beautiful things that
saw, aunt! 1t was really hard to make a
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 to
her task, her countenance undergoing a
remarkable transformation as she pro-
ceeded.
She added the figures over twice and
then raised her eyes in silent perplexity to
those that were fixed inQuiringly upon
her
well, how much have you left to fur
nish the kitchen?''
'Ten dollars and twenty five cents''
The old lady smiled at the rueful look
that accompanied these words.
81 did not think you would have so
much. 1t will not go a long way toward
getting the articles SO indispensable to
housekeeping.
81 should think not Dear, dear, who
would suppose that they would amount to
that? I'm sure I've put nothing down
T.. - III
And Maud again ran her eyes over the
list with disconsolate air.
Aunt Sarah smiled.
81 think / saw some articles there that
you could contrive to live without. But If
you think not you can take what is left
and buy a couple of plates, two knives and
forks and a saucepan or SO. 1t is no con-
sequence about the kitchen so long as you
have an elegant parlor.''
''Now, you are laughing at me, aunt. 1
really thought had enough to furnish a
house very nicely"
"And SO you have, my dear, quite nicely
enough for two young persons just COM
mencing life The trouble is you began
at the wrong end"
What do you mean?"
"Simply this: That in furnishing your
house you should have begun at the kitchen
instead of the parlor-selected the must
HAYES, the things necessary to your COM
fort and convenience before venturing on
the ornamental -
A new light seemed to dawn on Maud's
mind, but she still looked far from salts
fed.
eff do so, don It believe that shall be
able to furnish my parlor at all. -"
''Supposing you should not-at least,
until your means are larger?"
Maud opened her eyes widely.
''What, and have no place in which to
receive my friends?"
''You will have a comfortable, pleasant
little sitting room, which you consider
quite good enough for your husband s lei
sure hours and your own. Any friends