In fact, I set my heart on something of the kind, though I concealed the weakness from my husband.
Time stole on, and one increase after another to our family, kept up the necessity for careful expenditure, and at no time was there money enough in the purse to justify any outlay beyond what the wants of the household required.

So my mantel pieces remained bare as at first, notwithstanding the desire for something to put on them still remained active.
One afternoon, as I sat at work renovating an old garment, with the hope of making it look almost "as good as new," my cook entered and said-- "There's a man down stairs, Mrs.Smith, with a basket full of the most beautiful glass dishes and china ornaments that you ever did see; and he says that he will sell them for old clothes." "For old clothes ?" I responded, but half comprehending what the girl meant.
"Yes ma'am.

If you have got an old coat, or a pair of pantaloons that ain't good for nothing, he will buy them, and pay you in glass or china." I paused for a moment to think, and then said-- "Tell him to come up into the dining room, Mary." The girl went down stairs, and soon came back in company with a dull looking old man, who carried on his arm a large basket, in which were temptingly displayed rich china vases, motto and presentation cups and saucers, glass dishes, and sundry other articles of a like character.
"Any old coats, pantaloons or vests ?" said the man, as he placed, carefully, his basket on the floor.

"Don't want any money.

See here! Beautiful!" And as he spoke, he took up a pair of vases and held them before my eyes.