The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-18

Ills next demonstration was on 4 Young
lady who was reputed TO be worth some
twenty thousand dollars or so. But after
he had evidently won upon her affections
and Just as he was about Offering himself
Mr.. Toby died, leaving, as it was generally
reported, quite large fortune to Caroline.
Henry Richmond at once abated his at
tentions towards the young lady he had 50
seriously thought of marrying, and after a
suitable time had elapsed for Caroline to
recover, in some degree, from the shock &C.
casioned by her fathers death, resumed his
visits to her. These visits were not with
out the desired effect. In time proposition
for marriage was made, and not long after,
their union was consummated. At the time
this occurred, Richmond had just commen-
ced business with Il partner who advanced
the required capital.
The fortune brought him by his wife was
the clear sum Of fifty thousand dollars, in
funds at once available. The young couple
commenced the world with quite dash
entering at once upon splendid and costly
establishment. Against this imprudent
course, the partner of Richmond remonstra-
ted, but his remonstTance was met IN a way
that pleased him so little, that he proposed
at once 10 dissolve the connection if the
other were willing. This was promptly u
greed to, and then, with the capital obtain
ed by his wife, the young man commenced
business alone. and upoR a scale somewhat
similar TO that on which he had commenced
housekeeping.
This occurred in the spring of lS37--a
bad time for the commencement of that
kind of business. The result was, that by
the next spring, his affairs, from heavy los
ses occurring on his first free sales, were Il
good deaf entangled.
And now came the first painful reflections
consequent upon his marriage. 1t was but
10 evident TO his mind, that, with his utmost
care, industry, and attention TO business, 1t
would be almost impossible TO sustain HIM
self. And what thenl In the event OF
ruin, how could he meet the wife whose for
tune he had lost? How could he bear to
see her reduced to Il state 50 far below the
one in which she had moved, as she would
have 10 fail too, necessarily The thought
almost maddened him especially as nc ieli
assured, that she would have no sympathy
for him-that she would. on the contrary,
bitterly reDroach him, if not in words, still
by her looks and manner, for what he had
done. From the hour such thoughts passed
through his mind, he was miserable man.
In The summer Of 1888, it became so DIFF
ficult for him TO meet his payments, that he
began TO think seriously of the necessity OF
selling the beautiful house in which he lv-
cd, a part of his wife's legacy and of en-
deavourine very materially to reduce OK
penses. He had long felt the necessity of
doing this, but had hitherto shrunk from the
duty. because he dreaded to let his wife
know the perllous condition of affairs.
One evening about this time, after hay'
ing passed through day OF peculiar trials,
while he was sitting with his wife IN their
richly furnished parlour, he said
'Eveline, am afraid that we shall have
to part with this house."
~ don't understand you, Henry" she re-
piled. with Il look of astoDishment. 'Why
should we part with this house, pray =
81 want money in my business very much
EveIine. Indeed, | do not see how | can
possibly get along without some five or SIX
thousand dollars, and that Immediately.
have tried many ways 10 get IT, but all have
failed. The last resort, and one that have
thought of with painful reluctance, viii be
the sale of this property"
In look and tone, it was evident that mr.
Richmond felt keenly the necessity that
urged him to make the proposition. But
his wife did not seem 10 sec this, so great
was her surprise, even Indignation, at the
iAnd sure you've had forty thousand dol
lars of nv money in your business already
Eyeline replied "and | can't see what you
want with any more"
fla pistol had been fred off close to his
ear, Henry Richmond could not have star
ted with stronger expression OF surPIse IN
his countenance than he did at this cutting
remark. For few moments he knew not
what 10 think or say. He had already seen
enough of his wife's disposition, 10 destroy
in his mind all the little affection he had
once entertained for her. But now, the IN
difference that he had felt changed INTO
anger, contempt ana dislike. For nearly
half an hour nc had paced the floor back
wards and forwards, his mind filled with bit
ter reflections. How deeply, how painfully
did he regret his folly, now too late TO be
He had married rich wite
but her money had proved curse to him.
leading him on beyond his depth, where he
was now laundering about, with scarcely
a straw to support him. He had shrunk
r-orn and dreaded the idea of his wife's ever
beinq obliged to come down to the details
of domestic life but now domestic duties,
in their NEST undressing forms, he sadly
feared. were in store for her; and worse than
all. she had no knowledge of such duties,
and 50 far from entering into Them cheer
fully, would do so with reluctance and CON-
planning, and perhaps, with what was worse
reproaches. At last, the necessity OF ma
king her understand truly his position Tor
forced itself upon him, and he said' though
with a good deal OF reluctance.
"Eveline, il is but due to you, 'nal
should explain my situation. In doing Dui
siness. 4 merchant does not coniine hiInseif
TO his cash capital. On fifty thousand dol