The Arkansas banner., 1847-02-03
The New Carpet.
BY ELLEN ASHTON.


 saw any thing half SO eiegant-and to think how cheapn
 Such were the exelamations of Harry How ards young wife. She was standing with her husband in fashionable carpet store. the clerks of which had jus, unrolled piece ot Brussels carpe,ing, saying.
 Now, madam, Il yon wish really beau 'iiul article. here it is; and at a price too l am almost ashamed to name; but we bough, the goods low, and are anxious to close them-out You see the superior brilliaucy ot the colors. Indeed ingrain carpetings are going out of fashion, for manufacturers now reverse their best patterns for Brussels. Be- sides, the latter ouswears the former, so that though the first cost Is higher, in the end one IS no dearer than the other.'
 Mrs. Howard had intended to purchase an ingrain carpet; her old one had been of that kind. and she had always thought it had been quite good enough Her husband was not rich, but his business being excellent he had saved something annually. and was in a iaif way to lay mp competence for his age Harry Towards exactBess and recii;ude were proverbial; he had the reputation of being economical also; so that he was very gene rally regarded as rising young man:
 His wife was partner III all respects sui table for hum. She was moderate in her wishes, careful in her household, an aliec- honate wife and providen, mother. Harry loved her devoiedlv for he thought her pru- dent as shc was kind. But she had her l;t- tie foibies as well as other folks; and her pe- culiar weakness was 10 be proud of her house and furniture.
 As the clerk unrolled the beautiful piece of Brussels carpet, she felt sudden and strong desire to possess II; and his eloquence speedily shook the objections which pru- dence had at first stared in her mind. When he had finished, she looked wis,fuIlv al her husband.
 'it Is very preiiv.' said he.
 And so cheap replied his wife.
 'l-am telling he truth said the clerk, with emphasis. when declare llIa, we could not import these goods 10 sell al any thing like this price
 The ingrain looks very dull beside it, said the wife, 'bai still, perhaps, that will do Tor Us quite as well as this.' And she turn cd away with sigh, after this effort to re- sist the temptation.
 Well. do as you like, my dear replied her husband I am sure can trns, yonr good sense. The carpet will cost more than had thought of giving; but tI,en, as you say. It will outwear an ingrain one'
 Yes, sir said the clerk; T know a friend who bought an art cle like this five wears ago-a different pattern you know, bu. the same quality of goods-and il looks>as fresh to-day as when il was putdown. You could not find an iugrain carpet that would do that
 No, iadeed,' said the wife, looking inaui- rlngly al her husband.
 We'll, let us try il,' was his reply, for he saw his wiie's heart was set on the purchase 'li IS but fifty. dollars more at any rate, and fifty dollars can. break me-
 Mrs. Howard had not quite satisfied her sell she had done right, for as she walked home. she said,
 T know some will call i, a useless extra vagance, but, in the long run, i, is cheaper, you know, as the clerk said. And besides, can save Tn other things. 1 viii manage without new silk dress this winter, and my ! old bonnet will do very we'll with little l fresh trimming. Oh, we shall not feel 1t by l spring. 1
 The carpet was put down, and then Mrs | Howard declared l. was pre,tier than ever. It was indeed the proudesi day of her life. . No one oi her acquaintance possessed Btus- .els carpet, and she reflected with consider lbIe complacency on her superiority IL was her delight to exhibit it io her female friends, who, aclnaled by curiosity or envy, lost no lme m calling .o see her new treasure; and the especially enjoyed the triumph ii ali',r- Jed her over one or two who heretofore had' her in their style of living.
 The carpet had been down about monlh, ahen one evening Mrs Howard sad io her husband,
 Your mother was here to-slay, my dear, md was in rap,ures with our new carpet She says she never saw anything half so handsome. Bni she thinks our chairs en- isely too common for il; and cane -boAomed 'hairs, with a Brussels carpet, do look shah y, confess. Dou'i you think so, my deaF;'
 I am more than half of yorr opinion,' aid her husband, and thought so from the irst. 1 wonder what set of mahogany hairs would cosis
 I don't know, indeed. 4 greai deal of money. ] have no do ,ai. Mrs. Ssstson paid even dollars piece for hers. We must do without mahogany chairs iill we ge, rieh.'
 Though Mrs. Howard said this, Il was F.sh sigh. The conversation dropped, nor Eas Il alluded to foi several days. But when- yer Mrs. Howard went into the parlor, she bought how great an improvement mahog-l