Trials and Confessions of a Housekeeper

e was moderate, and we found it necessary to deny ourselves many little articles of ornament and luxury, to the end that there might be n

card tables; a pair of ottomans, the covers for which I had worked in worsted; and a few illustrated

parlors and those of one or two friends, would take place in my mind; and I often found myself wishing that we could afford a set of candelabras, a pair o

time was there money enough in the purse to justify any outlay beyond what the wants of the household required. So my

ld garment, with the hope of making it look alm

he most beautiful glass dishes and china ornaments that you eve

onded, but half comprehen

air of pantaloons that ain't good for nothing,

moment to think

e up into the di

ried on his arm a large basket, in which were temptingly displayed rich china vases, motto an

an, as he placed, carefully, his basket on the f

them before my eyes. They were just the thing for m

e price?"

was my only answer.

it had been voted superannuated, and consigned to a dark corner of the clothes-press. The thought of this garment came ver

" repeated the ve

our large clothes-press stood, in the passage above. From this

d to take in its condition at a single glance. Apparently, the examination was not very satisfactory, for he let the coat fall, in

fell from his l

fully, its contents. Most prominent stood the china vases, upon which

give for the

head a significant

ery g

d be glad to buy it for a small sum of money. It's only a li

The old man seemed angry at my

o feel a little impatient, "just

enquired, his mann

ate," I answered, holding up

" ejaculated the dealer,

hing his basket, from which, after a while, he took a china cup

u this,"

me to show surpr

u what I will do; I'll let you have the c

e threw the coat, which was in his hands again, upon a chair, and stooping down took his basket on his ar

ses, if you care to make the exch

tood in apparent irresolution, then he replied, as h

e; you shall

two more, and I heard the street door close behin

el, who had been a silent witness of the scene I have jus

ty, Jane," replied aunt Rachel

. "See there!" And I placed them on the dining roo

mproved the feelings as well as the looks of poor Mr. Bryan, who lives a

sposition of the coat should have been. The china vases would a little improve the appearance of my parlors; but how many pleasant feelings and hours and days of comfort, would the old coat have given to Mr. Bryan. I said no more. Aunt Rachel went on with her knitting, and I took the vases down into the parlors and placed them on

ringly; then I left the parlor, and went about my household duties, but, with a

into the parlor to show him my little purchase, for, I had no he

at of mine that is up

assent, but did no

opposite. It's rather too much worn for me, but will look quite decent on him, compared with the clothes

he blood crimsoning my face. For a moment

think of this before;

hy?" enquire

t this afternoo

ld

china ornaments, and I sold the coat for a

ved of what I had done; and, though he uttered no condemning

d. "I don't think," she continued, "that any body ought to sell old clothes for either money or nicknackeries to put on the mantle-pieces. Let them be given to the poor, and they'll do s

he rebuking spirit in th

nterrupting, as he spoke, some further remarks that aunt Rac

ck remark, made in penitent to

re upon my feelings, caused by a too acute consciousness of having done what in the eyes of my husband, l

nd Mr. Smith went to the clothes press for his be

y, in a voice that made me star

ied, coming out from our chamb

And, I shouldn't wonder if you had so

heart gave a great bound at his words; and th

Smith, holding up that defaced

as it, as sure as I li

nice piece of wor

almost to the floor. Covering my face with my hands, I dro

ngth, in a soothing voice. "The coat is gone, and the

kind consideration. He saw that I was punished quite severel

some twenty dollars; but the china ornament-man was not to be found

om the mantle-piece the china vases, worth, probably, a dollar for the pair, concealed them under my apron, lest any o

ever forgot this, my first and