The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-12-23

Laughing.
Oh, hang it all, said Ben, too true! can
get no remedy for this consumption Of the
purse, as old Falstaff says; but the world
owes me living, and so good morning.
Ben Sanford was just one OF that class OF
young men of whom common report goes,
that they can do anything they please, and
who consider this point SO well established,
that they do not think il necessary 10 illus
trate it by doing any thing at all. He was
lawyer of talents, and would have had an ex-
tensive run of business. had he not been ons
of that class Of people never to be found
when wanted. His law books and law office
saw far less Of him than certain fashionable
places Of resort where his handsome person
and various social accomplishments always
secured to him a welcome reception. Ben
had some little property left him by his faith
err, just enough, as he used laughingly to say,
to keep him in gloves and cologne water;
and for the rest he seemed vastly contented
with his old maxim, the world owes me
living forgetting that the world can some
times prove as poor paymaster as any Of
the most fashionable young gentleman going.
But to return to Mark. When he had set
tied his accounts at night, he took from
pigeon hole in his desk, the little book afore-
mentioned, and entered as follows: TO one
real wake-up, ten dollars,-which being done,
he locked his desk securely, and returned
once more to Mrs. Meriden.
DAYS flew on, aud the shop of Mark be-
came increasingly popular; and still he was
assailed by the kind of temptation we have
described. Now it was, Mark, my dear fel-
low. do join us in a trip to G-'s, and
now, come, my old boy. let's have spree at
F--'s now il was the club-now
the oyster supper-but still Mark was irwin
chile, and still, as one and another recounted
their history of the scene, he silently commit
ted the account of the expense to his little
book. Yet was not Mark cynical or unso-
cial. His refusals, though so firm, were in
variably coed natured; and though he could
not be drawn abroad, yet he was unquestion-
ably free and open handed in his own home
No house had SO warm welcome-no din
ner table could be more beautiful. OF more
freely opened for the behoof OF the dinner-eut
gentemen-no tea-table presented more I'M
except;onable toast, and no evening lounge
was more easy, homelike, and cheerful, than
on the sofas in the snug parlofs ofMark Mer-
iden. They also gave evening parties, where
all was brilliant, tasteful, and well ordered;
and, in fine. Notwithstanding his short COM
ings, Mark was set down as fine, open-han-
ded feIlow,-after all.
At the end of the year. Mark cast up the
account in his little book, and was nightly
astonished at it, for with all his ideas ofthe
power of Numbers, he had no idea of the
twos, fves, tens and ones, which on greater
and smaller occasions had found their way
into his columns, would amount to a sum so
considerable. Mark looked about him-the
world was going well-his business machine
ny moved in exact touch and 'ime-his house,
where was there pretlier one !-where
place more replete with every home drawing
comfort? Had he lost any thing in pleasure
the year past Mark thought not; and
therefore, as he walked homeward, he STEP
ped into a booksellers and ordered some
books of superb engravings for Mrs. Meriden,
and spoke to gardener TO send some elegant
flowing exotics, for which he had heard her
express an admiration few evenings before.
The same evening came in Ben Sanford,
as he expressed it. lin the very depth of indi-
co. for young gentlemenwhose worldly mat
ters invariably 90 on wrong end foremost
will sometimes be found in this condition,
however exuberant may be their stock Of an
imal spirits.
Pray Ben, what is the matter2 said Mark,
hllIulI, as lilC idtlCf cbCSiiCd III oil
arm chair, groaning audibly.
Oh, bilious attack, Mark l-shoemakers
bills, boarding house bills; all sent in for new
years. presents; hang 'em all!
Mark was silent for a few moments, and
Ben continued:
Confound it Mark, what's the sense ofliv-
ing, if fellow is so cursedly poor! Here
you, Mark, born in the same town with me
and younger than am by some two years
you have house as snug, as cosy and com
Portable as man need ask-a wife like an
angel, peace and plenty by the bushel, and
all comes Of Having good run in The money
line-and Ben kicked his slippers against the
andirons most energetically.
What has become Of Emily P? ask
ed Mark, after pause.
Poor soul said Ben, there she is yet. with |
all sweetness and patience, waiting ill such
Il luckless scapegrace as | can give her a |
home and husband. / wish to my soul, for |
her sake, could afford to be married, and |
have home ofmy own; besides, 10 Tell you |
the truth, am tired Of this rambling, scamb-
ling, out-at-elbow slip-shod life.
Why don't you get marrieS2
Why don't |, TO be sure; use my tailor's |
bill for fuel, and my board bill for house rent
aud my shoe bill for bread and butter-hey? |
would you recommend poor girl to try me,
Mark, all things considered? said Ben rath-
sr bitterly.
Mark reflected awhile in silence, and then
lrew out his book, his little book 10 which We
nave before alluded.
Just look at this account, Ben, said he,
know you hate figures, butjust for once.
Ben glanced at il impatiently, and laugh
ID when he read over the two or three first
TENS, but his face langthened as he proceed
ID, and Mark detected a sort of whistle Of as
enlistment as he read the sum total.
Well Mark he exclaimed, what very old
considerable trick is this of
yours, 10 ST behind the curtain so cody not
ng down the cost and come to- of all our
title froIics; really, il is most edifying!-,
How much you must have enjoyed your su-
'erior discretion and forethought; and Ben
asghed, but not with his usual glee.
Nay, you mistake, said Mark, kept this
ccount merely TO see what have been in
he habit of spending myself, and as you and
have always been hand and glove in every
hing it answers equally Tor you. 1t was on