Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-06-29

! he lost any thing in pleasure the year past?
/ Mark thought not, and therefore as he
walked homeward, he stepped into a book
sellers and ordered some Books of superb
cngrayings for Mrs. Mcridcn, and spoke
to the gardener to send some elegant flow
! cring eXotics for which he had heard her
express an admiration some evenings be-
fore.
Mark was silent for few moments,
and Ben continued 'Confound it, Mark /!
what's the sense Of living. if a fellow is
to be curscdiy poor Here you; Mark,
born IN the same town with me, and Young
or by some two ycars--you have q house,
as snug, as cosy, and comfortable as a
man need ask--a wife like an angel, peace
and plenty by the bushcl, and all comes Of
having Il good run of luck in the money
/ line'--and Ben kicked his slippers against
the andirons most encrgetically.
What has become of Emily Pa
asked Mark, after pause.
Poor souli said Ben there she is yet
with all sweetness and patience, waiting
till such luckless scaPograce as | can
| give her home and husband. wish
10 my soul, for her sake, could afford to
DO married, and have a home Of my own;
besides, to tell the truth, an tired Of this
rambling, scrambling, out-at-elbow, slip
shop Iife'
why don't you get marriod?' said
Mark.
why don't I? to be sure, use my tail-
ors bills for fuel, and my board bill for
house rent, and my shoe bill for bread and
butter, hey? Would you recommend a
poor girl - try me, Mark--aIl things con-
sidercd?' said Zen bitterly.
Mark reflected awhile IN silence, and
then drcw on; his Little booh---his little book
10 which we have before alluded.
Just look at this account, Ben, said he
Il know you hate figures but just for once
Ben glanced ut il inpatonliy--laughed
when he read over the two or three fist
items, but lis face heightened as he pro-
cended, and Mark detected sort Of whis-
tie Of as;onishmont as he read the sum to-
/ tai.
Well, Mark? he exclaimed, what q
very old gon,cmauly, conaiIerato trick is
/ this Of y0urs---to sit behind the curtain 50
coolIy noting down tho cost and come 10
Of all our Ii,to froIics~-reaIy it is most
| cdHying! How much you must have en-
loycd your superior discretion and fore
tAourh;;' and Ben laughed, but not with
his asuaI 6.~c.
Nay, you mistakc,' said Mark. Il kept
this account merely to see what had been
in the habit Of spending myself, as yon
.l,, l.,,,,l
in everything, it answers equally for you.
1t was onlv steEday that | summed up
the account, and assure you the result
surprised myself; and now Ben, the sum
here set down, and rs much more as YOU
please, is freely at your disposal, to clear
OF old scores for the year, provided you
will accept this little book as new years
gift, aud use itono tWeyc-month rs have
done; o1I If a, the end Of that time you
are not ready 10 introduce me TO Mrs. San
ford, | am much mistaken
Fen erasncd his friends hond---bu, Just
/ then then the entrance Of Mrs. Mcrldcn,
prevented his rcpiy-Mark however saw
with satisfaction that he pu: the book car
fully in his vest pocket, and bnttoncd his
coat with the air OF man bu,toning up
a now resolution.
When they parted for the night, Mark
said with smile, In case Of billions At
tIcts, You know where to send for mcJi-
enc Ben answered only by fervcnt
grasp Of the hand, for his threat felt ;o5 rul
for him to answer.
Mark Meridcn's book answered tho
/ purpose admirably. In less thaa two wears