The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-08-19
from che L.d,'. Baal isr Juas
MARK MERIDEN.
Br MAS. .. I. .. STOWE.


BT MRS. n. I. =. srowE.
sCome, Marx Meridenl don't settle
down into an old grandfather before YOU
sme. A pretty wife's a pretty thing,
MARI, and pretty house is . preAy
thing-bus hang III person must have !
little OF life"
MARI Meiden stood al his desk, Civ.
ING i look II bis books. while Ben San.
ford-she roguish--the meny-the song
.inging--lhe Ben 81 all Reps, was thus
ureing ON him the claims Of protected
Iolic that evening. Now Ben was pre-
cisely the messenger Tor such an embas-
81; there was fun in the twinkle Of his
blue eve, and world Of waggery in the
turn Of his head, and in a pair of broad
roguish dimples that went merrily dodg-
ing in and out Of his cheeks every time
Ne spoke, and he had hold Of Marks arm
70 drag him away. But Mark shook of
his hand. and finished summing up 4 CO.
lumn Of iigures-Aputting the blotiing pa
per into the book, and the book into lis
place, wiped his pen-all with an air Of
great thoughaulness-and, at last, turn
ing TO Ben, said
81 think won't go Ibis time-be-
eause-becanse," said Marx, smiling,
"brcause ! have an odd fancy that |
should like Mrs. Meriden's company bet
ter this evening"
Hang Mrs. Meriden-beg pardon,
Mark-hang myself for saying so-but
one don't like 10 see a fine fellow buried
alive.-come, take . real wake up with
US"
Thank yon, Ben, but ! hav'nt been
asleep and don't need il. So I'LL 60 home
and see my wife"-and thereai Mark
turned 4 resolute footslep homeward, as
= well trained husband ought.
" Now" says one Of our readers.
who was Mark Meridenl" You would
not have asked, good reader, il You had
lived in the town Of 49,, when his name
first appeared on the outside Of one OF lis
most fashionable shops, Mark Meri-
den," surrounded BY those waving insig-
Mas Of grace and fashion that young bellies
need 10 have their eyes turned off from
beholding. Every thing in the tasteful
establishment told Of well arranged busi-
ness. and Mark, himself the mirror OF
fashion, fanlilcss in every article Of cos
tune. quick, attentive, polite, and was
every day 10 be seen there winning gold
en- opinions from all sorts Of people.
Marks shop became the resort Of high
ton--,he fashionable exchange, the pro-
menade Of beauty and wealth, who came
there TO be enlightened as 10 the ways and
means Of disposing Of their surplus rese-
nue-,o see and 10 be seen. So attentive,
polite, and considerable was Mark, so pro-
found his bows. 50 bright his eyes, 50 un-
exceptionable his whiskers, that il might
have proved dangerous resort for the la
dies, had not a nea. tasteful house, going
up in the neighborhood, been currently
reported as the future residence Of an al
ready elected Mrs. Meriden; and in few
months, the house neatly finished and
tasiefully furnished, received very pref.
" lady who called herself to that effect.
Size was truly as refined and lovely wo-
man as ever formed the centre flower in
adomcstic bouquet, and Mark might just.
ybe pardoned for having as good an OPT
Mon Of himself for having been fortunate
enough 10 secure her.
Mark had an extensive circle Of bust.
ness and pleasure acquaintances, for he
had been one Of the social, companionable
sort, whose money generally found its
way out Of his pocket in very fair pro-
portion to the rate il came in. In short,
he was given TO clubs, oyster suppers,
and now and then wine party, and va
rious other social privileges for elevat.
ing ones spirits and depressing ones
cash. that abound among enlightened
communities.
But nevertheless. there was at the bot
tom Of Marks head a very substantial
stratum Of certain quality called COM
mon sense, trait which, though it was
never set down in any chart Of phrenolo-
gy, may very justly be called a faculty,
and one too which makes very striking
difference among people as The world
goes. In consequence Of being thus con-
stituted, Mark, when he found himself in
love with, and engaged TO very pretty
girl, began to reflect with more than or
binary seriousness, on his habits, ways
and manners Of life. He also took an ac-
'curate survey Of his business, formed an
average estimate of his future income on
the soberest probabilities, and determined
TO live little even within that He also
provided himself with a small account
book, with which he intended TO live in
habits Of very close acquaintance, and in
this book he designed to note down all
the saving consequent upon the reirench.
ing Of certain little extras, before alluded
to, in which he had been in the habit oil
pretty freely indulgiRg himself.
Upon the present occasion. It had cost
him sofn nth,nr &c an affart N say ss m ~