The Holbrook news., 1910-01-21
Peter Buskirk's
 Prudence
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| >~O~~~~~~N~@ON%~-NNO i Peter Buskirk was very fond of money; not so fond that he quite starved himself to keep It. or to hide 1t up chimney, or refuse himself fire or lights or pillow; but yet so very fond of it as to be on the verge of miserhood without quite falling Ier. Beggars reaped no harvest from his purse nor kitchen, and matchmakers could make no impression on his bach elor heart. Peter Buskirk saw through the latter as well as the former, and buttoned up his pockets as hastily in the presence of bewitching woman hood as in that of seedy gentleman with a folded document in his breast pocket. The men wanted to rob him, the women to marry him. The last Is the worst. Not that Peter hated women; on the contrary, even at 50, be was remarkably susceptible. A bright eye put his heart in a flutter. But the fact was, women. as wives or daughters, were expensive. They need ed clothes and were fond of dainties They were proverbially extravagant. Should he marry one she would spend his money while he lived and squan- der 1t after he was dead. And with this awful terror before him. Peter steered clear of the shoals of matri- mony.
 There was one inconvenience in this bachelorhood, however That was the housekeeping; for it involved a ser vant-some one to make beds, wash dishes, cook and iron In short, the 5ervant-of-all-work was the bane of Peters life eating and drinking In a manner which kept the master of the house in a continual ferment; vast Ing butter and fuel; and each change h the kitchens encumOrance being followed by the mysterious disappear ance of towels and napkins and such good MT. Buskirk. He tried Betty and Dinah and Mary and Ann. and then. in despair, flew to a certain Mrs. Brown. the giver of tea parties innu- merable, to ask advice.
 Servants are sad piagues.'' she said
 Eat you out of house and home," said Peter.
 Not to be yelled on for honestly" said Mrs. Brown.
 Thieves. ma'am; thieves," said Pe- ter
 'Ah." said Mrs. Brown. "a gentle man has no time to watch them. Now should advise marrying. MT. Bus kirk"
 "Marrying!"
 Yes, sir, a wife can manage such things so much better. Besides. if you chose smart. capable woman she would keep an eye on the servant. It would be much more economical to marry"
 Economical" yelled Peter. my good lady. Ehi-l-oh. goodnessI. Feathers and flowers. lace and silks, and rings and-and ice cream and :hings-economica How many yards 10 you take for dress. maam?"
 Well, sir, twelve or fifteen-some- times, when it's silk. you know. eigh- .een."
 Eighteen yards. at five shillings or 90 yard. and not ore dress. but twenty. My good lady. 1t would be enough to ruin a man."
 Mrs. Brown reflected.
 But if you find an economical wom- ln. MT. Buskirk."
 "Ahi if I could find a mermaid!"
 "One who never wasted penny"
 She does not exist, ma'am."
 Who lives on. next to nothing. The .act is, Mir. Buskirk. l have such a ady in my eye. She's widow-quite young one-Mrs. Barlow. and I'll have her at Peach House next week"
 Peter Buskirk grinned sarcasticaliy.
 Economy in gowns and bonnets," ne said to himself. They want to marry me and spend my money"
 And heswent home wroth-
 However, economy forbade him to refuse an invitation to dinner, and when, a week after Mrs. Brown sent her compliments" etc. MT. Buskirk ionned his Sunday suit, and went over to Peach House at precisely. The parlor was full of ladies; ladies n silks and muslins, f1ounces and fur bellows. Most of them Mr.. Buskirk knew well, and he looked about in