The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-30

81 wonder where he is gong TO take
me-" unused Charlotte, as she tied on her
hat, and fastened her superb cloak.
; Charles took her hand with smile, and
they went into the sleigh. Their first
call was at a magnificent mansion, the
master of which met them in the hall with
a hearty welcome, and led them into a
parlor, furnished in style of the most
costly splendor, beyond any that Mrs.
Barton had ever seen. The library, too,
was an enchanted hall. Mr.. Allen treat
ed them with polite familiarity and on
their departure, presented the young
: BRIDE, as a New Years gift, beautifully
executed silver vase, crowned with an ar
tificial rose bush, of enamelled gold, en-
eralds and rubies and breathing rich in
cense from the altar of roses with which
it was enriched. She was enraptured
with his courtesy and liberalty. lie had
called on them several times, and his
suavity and gentity of manner had won
her esteem, but she had never dreamed
OF his being so immensely rich.
"Well, Charlotte" said Barton, as
they drove away, show do you like my
friend and his residence -
"Oh he is a gentleman, and his house
is like palace. But is it not strange
that such wealthy man should be so
familiar with us ;"
mot at all, Charlotte. lie was my
most intimate friend in College; we were
always competitors for the same prize,
and the same honor. | won most fire.
quenly and he was much richer than |,
but no jealousy awoke between US. And
now, | do not envy him, and he does not
despisc me. We almost meet as friends,
and what would you think of me, Char
lotte, if | were 10 undertake TO furnish
my parlor and library like his ?"
81 understand you, Charles, but then
there is not so great an inequality be-
tween you and Mr.. Ellis, as between
Mr.. Allen and you. But why stop here
at the Hospital ?"
Barton did not answer, but assisting
her from the sleigh, led her trembling i'll
to the receptacle of misery. Stopping at
a ward in which lay an emaciated female,
he babe her be seated; and after some
kind inquiries concerning the state OF the
invalid, introduced his wife, and besought
the sufferer to tell who she was, and how
she came there.
at is bitter trial." commenced the
woman, "to recall my errors, sins and
suifcrings; but since owe you so much,
| will tell you all, in as few words as
possible. Lady, in my youth | was cal
led beautiful. | was school-matc OF
your husbands mother. | married first,
and although she soon after united her
self with n wcalthier man than my equal
ly respectable Horace, still she treated
me with all the warmth of sisters afec-
ton. But from the day of her marriage
| felt an envy, the more criminal from lis
being unprovokcd. We set up in gen.
teel style, my house beng elegantly furn-
ished but still Mrs. Barton, although an
unostentalious lady, had brilliant articles
that | had not. could not rest. My
husband was a prudent man, but unlor-
tuna,ely he loved me too well. ! urged
him with tears and all manner of persua-
sions to purchase things which would
outvie Mrs. Barton's establishment. lie
frequently warned me that we should be
undonc, yet he still complied with my
cxtravagant demands. At length Mr..
Barton having made successful specula-
ton purchased beautiful span of horses
and splendid equipage. | saw him
drive past with his lady, and my soul was
in agony until | forced a promise from
my poor husband to purchase similar
equipage for me.
GAS soon as | obtained it, | rode tri-
umphantly to Mrs. Barton's. She greet
cd me as | thought sorrowlully, and sew
eral times sighed as she looked sadly in
my face. At length inquired the cause
of her uncasness. My dear Ellen she
commenced, 'you know that | love you
sincerely, OF should not venture to say
what imagine it my duty to tell you
Your husband is an honorable man but
YOU must be aware that he is considera
bly in debt. Now creditors, you know
. exercise kind Of dictatorship over those
, that owe them; and il is natural for then
TO saw, if Mr.. can afford his laml
t " such and such indulgcncies, he nigh
' certainly pay me. Now your husband
G creditors have long been grumbling a
what they are pleased to call his extrava
r gance, and fear that when they see yo
in your carriage, they will treat him with
o out mercy. | am sorry that my husban
G went to the like unnecessary expense
/, for much fear that you were prompte
by emulation. Do not be offended sal
y she sootliingly, and extended her han'
but | drew back pettlshIy, and hurryin
0. from the house, reganed my carriage
sunk back in it, and wcpt all the wa