ECONOMY THE ROAD TO WEALTH.

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1667, 22 April 1874, Page 2

ECONOMY THE ROAD TO WEALTH.

A lady down in Smith-street read somewhere that* economy- was the" sure road to wealth, and hearing that the gas bill was enormous, felt the gal might be economised byturning it off at the meter every morning, so that it would not waste through the bracket!. This she did, intending to regulate it in the evening. She went to see her mother, however, and Wiggins, having returned about eight o'clock p.m., turned up the jet and struck a match. Nursing it carefully with his hand he placed it to the bracket. Pshaw J it went out; another, and still it would not light. r He thought the infernal thing must be broken, and going into the next room fell over and smashed his face. He tried it until his matches were all gone, and then feeling 1 on the mantel for more, he turned dyer his wife's oil perfume bottle, and knew it was running on his coat He swore and started down stairs^ and just in the hall met Maria returning with the children. " Biggins,' why is there no light in the house? " .; He endeavoured to explain; but no use. He "was foolish. ' The gas would light if.he only tried; and she marched into the parlour; her dress catching in the cabinet of Chinese curiosities, and it falling with a crash. She tried, and in vain, for, besides spoiling her best silk, she trod on .the child.with boils, and smashed her best bonnet, when lo! she remembered what was the matter. ;" : , . She would sooner have stepped into her coffin than to the meter, and^4he!tried tpdp it^quietly, but Biggins saw her; and from that day to this when' she; talks of economy he quietly sniggers; "Save from the, giibiU." •• \ r ■ :' Her silk .dress, ;her best bonnet, and Chinese relics were nothing, she whispered to her bosom friends; but to have Biggins once know he was right,it "istoo 'm^K sLe always bursts into tears. —■NXK^Picayune; :'-- -^' :;-i>l/ y y~--.-