Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-04-01
A PRUDENT WIFE AND A STRONG
APRON

Mrs. W., consort and help mate of Mr.. W.,
merchant OF N. Y, was very economical
woman, and, If the eulogist was not mistaken,
had very strong apron. The circumstance
narrated by the friend of Mrs. w. was as fol-
lows: MIR. w. was a merchant in afluent cir
cumstances, did very heavy business, and
conducted all his affairs with tho utmost req
ularity. Every department of business was
completely systematized; even family expen-
ditures were restricted to regular daily appro-
priations, and no surer is the sailing master
OF ship to make his observation, work his
traverse and ascertain his exact latitude and
longitude every noon, than was Mr.. w. to
have all accounts nicely balanced, to ascertain
his exact whereaboutsi in business every night.
But as wise, prudent, and punctilious as he
was, he could not Withstand the temptation
to overtradng during one of the great paper
expansions; and when the revulsion came, he
found himself embarrassed beyond all his eff
forts to eXtricate himself. He had stood firm
as rock while many of the most reputable
houses tumbled to ruins around him, but he
could not collect money due him from his
best customers, and there was one remaining
note of $4,000, that would fall due in few
days, and he could devise no way to meet it,
The notice came from the Bank, but DAYS
remained, and every resource failed. The
first OF these days was spent in fruitless at
tempts TO borrow. The Cd was as fruitessly
spent in trying to force sale of goods. No
body had money to lend-nobody had money
to purchase goods at any price. Failure pre-
scented itself before him with all its frighiful-
ness. The last day of grace arrived, and hor-
ror was depicted in his countenance. Mrs.
w. knew nothing of his troubles, and on per-
celvlng him evidently in great distress of
cho tad L., Il,
cause of his trouble. 1t was folly to conceal
his ruin from her, and Re condescended to
make her acquainted with the cause of his
misery. How much, she inquired, will save
you from failure! Ten thousand dollars, he
replied, will pay my last note in bank but
for want Of this / must suffer the disgrace Of
having my note protested, assign my proper
ty for the benefit Of my creditors, and suffer
my name to go to the world as bankrupt
Is this all said she. Why bless me, my
dear Mr.. W., can supply you with that sum
without going out OF tho house. Not waiting
TO hear the question which he was preparing
to ask, she tripped up stairs, and in less time
than have occupied in telling the story, she
returned with $l7 900 III her apron, all in
change, which she had saved within few
years from her daily allowance of market
money!
All VINO heard the recital OF this clrcum-
stance by the friend Of Mrs. w. were highly
delighted with it, save one sharp noced slab
sidod yankee, who would not believe, though
an angel had told it, till he had applied test
of figures to it, to ascertain its probability
AS he finished his calculation and was in the
act of returning his pencil to his pocket, he
burst into roar oflaughteI. All eyes were
turned upon him, and the narrator demanded
what he meant by such uncivil department.
"Nothin' at all, stranger" said the calculator,
"only l was thinkD' what tarnal strong "a
prom that ere woman must had on to bring
$4,000 worth of change down stairs. rve
cyphered it out on this here paper, and it will
weigh jist half a ton, if there Amt a sin gle
copper among the whole on't."-BuGaio Re.
publican.