Year: 1870

s'There is no use in keeping pig this
year, said Mr.. Positive to his wife. 'I
haven't donbt but the pair we fatted last
year cost us thirty cents a pound. It's a
great deal better to buy one ready dressed in
the fall and put it up.


"But think what convenience that pork
barrel and tub of lard have been to us all this
winter. don't know how we could have got
on without it, with all other provisions so dear.
am afraid you will think pig costs so muohS
ready money in the fall that you can't afford
to buy one We don't feel its cost when We
pay out little at n time"


''That is Just woman's way of looking at
the matter" said Mr.. Positive with a sneor
"They never can be made to see that money
in a lump is just the same as money broken
into dimes and quarters. You know 1t will
be iust.the same in the end. So what is the
use in discussing the matter"


Mrs. Z. sighed to herself, ''what's the use,
to be sure" She had learned by experience
that there was very little use in trying to set
her husband right, no matter how crooked his
notions WERE Her only consolation was in
the presentSmatter, that experience is n sure,
if it is a dear school


Well the season rolled round. There was
much refuse from the kitchen that must be
wasted because there was nothing to eat it,
which would have gone long way towards
keepinG pig. The time for packing down
the pork had come, and as is quite common
it had ''suddenly taken n rise" That is, it
was two cents pound higher than was ex-
pected, and Mr.. Positive was Indignant
Catch him paying such an exorbitant price
for pork No indeed he could 60 without
rather than submit to such extortion. Forty
dollars good pig would cost him. He should
like to know where the money was to come
from. He hadn't half that much ahead"


Mrs. p did not say, 81 told you so" but
am afraid she looked it a little, aud | am quite
confident she thought it. Mr. Positive was
convinced, if he did not own it. He missed
bis delicate doughnuts, and delicious, fakey
rie crusts that winter and he was obliged to
depend on a very indifferent market for his
supply of meat and sausages. And the SUN
paid seemed greater than the cost of all the
corn he bought for his last years pigs,


The fact was that he learned what many
others are slow to learn, that such things as
pigs and poultry are the householders small
saving banks The money they spend on
them would be flirted away on triHes, aud not
saved up as to constitute n fund for making
such purchases all at once They help TO
form habits of frugality and thouShtGulness,
without which no one can thrive.


/ know lady who always puts her refuse
in the stove. If crumbs and crusts are left
over, they are scraped into the fire. If pie
is burnt SO as to be unfit for the table, it shares
the same fate. 1t is n very bad example to
set before children and servants, and may lay
the foundation OF future thriftlessness aud pov-
erty.


Ii is a handy thing to have dozen or two
of nice chickens to fall back on in an emer-
gaucy, when a good dinner is wanted for un-
expected guests. Poultry is always high, and
out of the reach of many who could easily
raise brood or two of chickens and never
miss their food. 1t takes prudence and pains
taking to do this economically, but it pays for
the convenience and comfort it brings to the
family Country GeatiemeH.