Winchester Republican

ECONOMY

From the Albany Plough Boy.

Mr. Editor--The subject of my wife's memorandum still continues to be a subject of debate in the family. My wife and girls, even the youngest, have their arguments, reasons, and persuasions to urge in favor of their being yet executed--at least in part. The Imperial tea and Madeira wine may be in part dispensed with; but the dry good list cannot be retrenched.

Last evening my wife urged her ultimate reasons, and my girls suggested all the arguments on their mother's side of the question, which the most acute attorney could have invented: and surely, no plausible, no specious colouring was omitted, or wanted urging on the part of the plaintiffs. Every argument was urged home, with an ingenuity, sagacity, and pertinacity, which demonstrated at once the skill and ability of the pleaders. There Papa, says my oldest daughter, there is neighbour Saveall's wife; she goes to meeting, dressed as on washing days, with her leather shoes in her hand, and her stockings in her pocket--bare footed and bare legged! Does Papa wish to see his family go in this plight on public occasions? I would rather work my finger nails off than do so. And yet Mr. Saveall is a man of independent property; though his wife appears bare-footed at meeting, and himself in a homespun shirt, or a checkered flannel at best. If this is the result and end of economy and industry, I will never work again, to make myself ridiculous.

These facts and arguments were reiterated and urged with all the zeal and ability of able and zealous advocates, by my wife and daughters. Even the youngest, not six years old, rebuked her father for wishing so to bring up his family. And my wife urged the debasement of mind, and discouragement of industry, incident to such an economy. Again and again, I was tempted to propose terms of accommodation--to indulge in part--restrain in part--curtail by degrees; keeping my prerogative good, and yet by conceding in part, maintain peace and order, encouragement and industry in the family. Daughters surround me on every side--Alas! what shall a poor husband and father do? RUSTICUS.