Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-07-05

'AL madam the wherewit1alr said Ben, roll
ing up his eyes with a tragic expression. II
some clever old fellow would he 80 obligng as to
die now, and leave me few thousands then la
dies you should sec =
But speaking of money said Mark, when he
saw the ladies' busy over some laces he had Just
thrown on the counter what did your glorious
fun cost you?
! pooh ! nothing only n ton dollar bill-noth.
ing in my purse, you kn"wp
Nothing in your purse mot IN uncommon in
cident after these occasions, said Mark, laughing
~.
ooh, hang il all said Ben-'too true IL can
get no remedy for this consumption Of the purse,
MS old Falsinf says; however the world owes me
n living, and So good morning
Ben Sanford was Just of that class of Young
men of whom common report goes, that they can
do any thing they please, ond who consider this
point rs so well established that they do not think
II necessary to illustrate ii by doing any thing nj
all. lie was Lawyer of talents, and would have
had an extensive run Of business had he not been
one of the class of people never 10 be found when
wanted. His law hooks and law Office saw far
less Of him than certain fashionable places of re-
sort. where his handsome person and various
cal accomplishments always secured TO him n
welcome reception. Ben had some little proper
~ left him by his father. just enough, as he used
laughingly 10 quote, $50 keep him in gloves and
cologne WATER and for the rest he seemed vastly
|
me living, forgetting that the world can some
iihe prove us poor pnymaster as the most fash
lonable young gentleman going.
But to return to Mark. When lie had settled
his accounts at night, he took from pigeon hole
in his desk, the little book afore named, and enter
ed rs follows: TO one real wake up, $l0, which
being done, he locked his desk and returned once
more to Mrs. Meriden
Days flew OIL, aud the shop of Mark became in.
creasingly popular, and still from time to time he
was assaled 10y the kind Of temptation we have
described. Now il was, MARK, my dear fellow,
do join us in trip TO G-'s > and now, Come my
old toy, 10; us have spree al Fis; --now it was
the club, now the oyster supper-but still Mark
was Invinclble, aud still as one or another gay
recounted the history of The scene, he silently
committed the account of the expense to his little
book. Yet was not Mark cynical or unsociul.
His refusals, though so firm, were invariably good
natured, md though lie could not he draw abroad,
yet he was unqueslionaby open.hnnded and free
IN ms own home. No house had so warm wei
come--no dinner table could he more bounlitul
or more freely open for the behoof of all gentle
men OF The dining-out order tea-table prcsen-
ted more unexceptionabo toast, and no evening
lounge was more easy, Iorne-lik and cheerful,
than ON The warm sofas in the snug parors of
Mark Meriden. They nso gave evening parties
where all was brilliant, tasteful and well ordered ;
and in fine, Notwithstanding his short comings,
Mark was set down rs fine open-hearled fellow
after all.
AT the end of the year, Mark cast up the &c
count in his little book, and was nightly aston.
ished at it, for with all his ideas of the power of
numbers he had 10 idea that the twos, and ives,
and tens, and ones, which, on greater or smaller
occasions, had found their way into his columns,
would mount up to a sum so considerable. Mark
looked about him the world was going wll-his
busness-nlachincry moving in exact touch and
time-his house-where was there prettrr one?
where u place more repele with every draw
ing comfort? Had he lost any thing IN pleasure
the year past Mark thought not, and therefore
MS he walked homeward, hc stepped into book
sellers and ordered some books OF superb engrav
| lngs for Mrs. MerdeD, aud spoke TO the gardner
to send some elegant Towering cxotics for which
he had heard her expiess an admiration some
evenings before.
The same evening came in Ben Sanford, MS he
expressed it, in the very depths of indigo for
yong gentlemen whose worldly matters invariably
so on wrong end foremost, will sometimes be
found in this condition, however cxuberant may
he their stock OF animal spirits.
Pray, Ben, wlIat is the matter" said Mark
kindly, as the latter st etched himself at length III
an arm chair, grooming andbly.
'Oh, bilious attack-Mark !-shoemak ers'
bills,-boarding house hills all sent in for new
years prcsents-hang 'em all =
Mark was silent for few moments, and Ben
continued 'Conlound it, Mark what's the sense
OF living, if fellow is cursedly poor! = Here
you, Mark, born in the same town with me, and
younger than am 10y some two years-you, have
n house, ms snug and cosy, and comfortable man
need ask-n wife like an angel-peace and plenty
by the bushe and all comes of having good
run of luck in the money line'-and Ben kicked
his slippers against the andirons most energetic
ally.
What has become of Emily P--?' asked
Mark, after pause.
poor soul! said Ben, there is she yet with all
less scapegrace rs | can give her home and
husband. wish 10 my SOUL for her sake, could
afford 10 be married, and have home of my own;
besides, to tell you the truth, l am tired of this
rambling, scrarnJing, out-a: elbow p.shod life
why don't you get married !? said Mark
why don't ! ? Ia lie sure-,ise my tnor's bill
Tor fuel, and board bill for house rem, and my shoe
hill for bread and butIer--hey? Would you rec
ommend poor girl 10 try me, Mark all things
considered p snd Ben, bitterly.
Mark reflected awhile in silence, aud then drew
out his book his little book, 10 which we have
before alluded.
Jus, look at this account Ben said he, Il
know you hate figures, but just for once
Ben glanced ut il i,npatlently-l laughed when
lie rend over the two three first items, but his
face heightened as he proceeded, aud Mark de-
tected Il sort Of whistle of ustonishnicnt lie read
the sum total.
well, Mark he exclaimed, 'what very old
gentlemany, consderute trick is this of yours -
TO sill behind your curtain so cooly noting down
the aud come TO-, Of all our little irolics-re.
ally il is most edfyng How much you must
have enjoyed your superior discretion and fore
thought! and Ben laughed, but not with his usu-
al glee.
May, you mistnke,' said Marx. kept this
account merely to see what had been in the hab.
it Of spending myself, and as you and have been
always hand and glove in every thing, It answers
equally for you. Il was only yesterday that
summed up the account, and assure you the re-
suit surprised myself; and now Ben, the sum here
set down, and as much more you please, is free
ly at your disposal to clear of old scores for the
year, provided you will accept with j, this little
book as a new years gift, aud use il one twelve
month as have done; and if at the end Of that