The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-15

lie pduScu. dllu
ty of his coat and pants, the high lustre of bis
satin vest, the fneness of his linen, and the
gold chain which was the safeguard of a hun
dred and fifty dollar watch. Then he slanc-
ed at'his wile's piano, but quickly turned from
it with deep sigh to long and sorrowful
gaze upon the flower pots arranged in the
back yard. The dinner bell at length broke
in upon his reveries, and an unusual express
ion was seen On his countenance when he en-
tered the dining room. His wife tenderly in
quired the cause, but he replied only by a
strict scrutiny of her cap, her dress, the fur
niture of the room, and lastly, of every thing
upon the table. After the meats were reno
we'd, beautiful glass dish, filed with straw
berries covered with cream and loaf sugar,
was brought in and placed on the table. He
started at the sight, as though an adder had
bitten him, and his aifcctionate wife again in
CURED the cause of his strange conduct.
I'VE are not able to afford such things,
Lucy" said he quickly.
''Why, my DEAR" answered Mrs. Hall, 1.-THE
woman told Betty that you paid only fifty
cents for them"
.Only fifty cents" reiterated the husband,
rising from his chair; "the bill OF our poor
washerwoman is only fifty cents, and though
she greatly needs it TO day, cannot pay 1t IN
consequence of purchasing this unnecessary
fruit
Unnecessary ~ repeated Mrs. Hall with a
sneer.
.But wife," added he. with severe deter
mination in his voice, ''there must be change
in our affairs. / cannot live longer as have
lived for year or two past. l am no longer
aman among men. / am dunned at the cor
ner of every street, and am always afraid to
look about me, lest | should meet the eye Of
some one whom l owe. / am utterly crush
ed with debts, and if there cannot be change
we are losti'
The pretty lip of the young wife pouted
in silence.
81 repeat it, with the strong emphasis Of
a drowning man, there must be a change in
our affairs. We must abridge."
"AJridge," cried Mrs. Hall, reddening TO
her very temples, "what can we possibly a
bridget"
My DEAR" continued Mr.. Hall, with
soothing tone, as he behed the distress of a
wife whom he most tenderly loved, any sac
riice whchyou may be Obliged TO make, will
cost me far more severe trial than 1t can
possibly cost you; but / see no other way
we must abridge our expenditures"
4 long pause succeeded. At length MIR.
Hall resumed
MY brother has less lucrative trade than
mine and yet with family three times as nu-
nerous, he owes no man dollar; besides he
has money in the bank"
"And he works like slave with his own
hands," replied Mrs. Hall, and just took at
his wife-she is always in the kitchen, like
bound girl. Besides, only think of two drea-
ry, half furnished parlors, and such morsel
Of a kitchen, with no nursery"'
"And intend to work with my own hands,
too" answered the husbandi land my dear,
as we have but one child, can't you give up
your nursery and nursery maid!'
Mrs. Hall turned pale. Had it come TO
thisl Must she be tied up to her own off
spring, no longer able to ride, walk,or visit at
pleasurei
"And, continued he, cau,iously-if we had
a smaller house, we sould do with less help
in the kitchen, 81 besides we should need less
furniture, and several expensive, and nearly
useless articles, might be turned into the pay
ment of debt. My gold watch and your pi-
aUo"-
The poor wife sank back in her chair, and
covering her face, burst into a hysterical
flood of tears. Had she heard the conclusion
of the sentence, she might perhaps have felt
more for her husband than for herself-for
pressing his hands against his throbbing heart
he declared. that DEATH but not debt.was pref
cradle to asking her to make this last sacri-
fee, and with hollow groans he .traversed the
apartment.
Mrs. Hall was the spoiled child Of indul-
gence; still she was naturally kind and amia-
BILE, and nothing was wanting hut the proper
circumstances and the right direction gwen
to her feelings, to develope her true charac-
ter, and make her most patient and sell de-
nving wife. That afternoon, as soon as her
husband had gone, she ran over the street,
to see old Mrs. Green-a woman highly es-
teemed by all for her good sense, as well as
for her kind and sympathetic heart-and TO
her she made known her troubles.
flush tush, child" said the old lady
with smile, "never mind that. Just come
down patiently TO your altered circumstances,
and trust me for it, you'll be great deal bet
ter off some day, than you ever were yet"
"But how shall l begin?'' said the young
wife, wiping away her tears.
Begin! Why begin by giving mp all You
can do without, and be comfortable. Let
tUc pldDO uiSl.
"Don't name it, Mrs. Green. Oh! my
dear piano what should do without its mu
sic!"
ats music! Would 1.-THE music ofyuor
husbands happy heart, relieved from the bur
den of debt, be much sweeter in yonr ears
Give up the piano-it is childish toy COM
pared with his peace"
"And what next? Mrs. Green inquired
Mrs. Hall, as new light seemed to animate
her countenance.
"Why, dear woman" replied the old lady,
tapping her under the Chin ''after you have
parted with all you can spare, have taken a
low rent house, and dismissed all your help
but one girl, then begin one of the sweetest
things that mother ever had to do-the ia
king care of your own dear baby. and you
will soon find its little smiles and love will
more than repay all your efforts"
MRS. Green my friends would all shun
me- Just think of Mrs. Brown, and Mrs.
Willet, and Mrs. Goodenne"-
"Stop! stop! child-what have you to do
with them! They will not pay your hus-
bands or your debts. Besides, if they are
persons Of good common sense, they will not
despise you for conduct which it is both your
r. g i,