The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-09-18

"That was to be expected, OF course,
said Jacobs, with forced cnlmncss
"Tho credit was for only six months.
But, how much is the bill?'
His voice was unsteady as he asked
the question:
"A hundred and twenty dollars.
And poor Mrs. Jacobs burst into tears.
"lmpossibl-n exclaimed the startled
husband. "Impossibe! There is some
mistake A hundred and twenty dol.
lars? Never!'
"Thcre is the bill And Mrs.
Jacobs drew it from her bosom.
Jacobs glnnccd engerly at The footing
up Of the long column Of figures, where
were numerals to the value Of one hun.
dred mud twenty.
"It can't be- he said in troubled
voice. Edwards hns made a mistake.
$50 | thought, when first looked al
the bill, replied Mrs. Jacobs, recovering
herself, yet speaking in sad voice
"Bul, nm sorry 10 say, that il is all
right. have been over and over it
again, and cannot find an error. Oh,
dear! now foolish have been. i, was
SO easy 10 &c, things when no money
had 10 he paid down. But, never
thought ola bill like this. Never
Jacobs sal for some moments with his
eyes upon the Aoor. lie was thinking
rapidly.
$50 much for good credit" he said
at length, taking q long breath. "Who,
a fool have been! Tha, cunning: E.l.
low, Edwards, has gone to The wind.
ward ofmc completely. lie knew that
if lie gol me OF his books. he would Sc
cure three dollars 10 one Of nv money.
beyond wha, hc would get under the
cnsh. down system. One hundred and
twenty dollars in six months! All, me!
Are we happier. now, for the extra dry
goods we have procured? Not whit
Our bodies have been little better
clothed, and our love Of dis plny gratiticd
10 some extent. But, has all thu,
wrough, Il compensation for the pain of
this day Of rcckoring?
Poor Mrs. J"cobs wns silent. Sadly
yus SUE sspeniing 9! ner-ran In .iye
tstol'y iity hid committed.
Tea time came, bat neither The hns.
bnnd nor wife could do much more than
lastc fond. Tha, bill for hundred and
twenty dollars had taken away their mp.
prlit"s. The night lha, followed
brongh! TO neither Of them very re-.
ircshing snmbcr; and in The morning
they a~okc sohsrminded, and little ia
clincd for conversation. Bn onc
thn,,,I,t i'm ~ r L.. Il,
bill Of Edwards; and one feeling in the
mind Of his wif.-srlf-rcpronch for her
par, in The work nf embarrassment.
"Whal will you do?' Snid Mrs. jacobs.
in II voice that was unsteady, looking
into her husbands fnce with glil,ering
eyes, ns she laid her hand upon his arm,
causing him 10 pause as he was ubou,
leaving the house.
'l'm sure don't know replied ii"
young man, gloomily. 81 shall have 10
Sc" Edwards, suppose, and nsk hin, 10
wait. But, I'm sure I'd rather take a
horsc.whipping. Good crcdil!-IIc'll
sing different song now
For moment or Two longer the h,s.
band and wife stood ionking II, each 9th
rr. Then, as each sighed heavily, the
former turned away and left the house
( ii's road To business WIS past the store
| ot Mr.. Edwards, --.bui. he now avoided
| the street on which he lived and wen, a
whole block out Of his way to do ST..
Glow am 10 pay this bii!' murnnr-
cd the unhappy Jacohs, pnuSing in his
work for the twentieth time, MS he sal
nt his desk, and giving his mind up TO
troubled thoughts.
Just at this moment the senior partner
in the establishment came up and stood
beside him.
"Wcll, my friend said he, kindly,
chow are you getting along"
Jacobs tried 10 smile and look cheer
lu! rs he replied
"Prclty well. SIR But his voice
had in ii a touch ol deSpondrncy
"l.ct me Scc,' remarked the employ
or, after pause; "your regular year IS
up today, is it nni?'
"Ycs, sir replied Jncons. his heart
sinking more heavily in his bosom, for,
the question suggested II discharge from
his rlucc--busIncsss having been dull
for some time.
II was looking o, your account yes
tcrdny,' resumed the employer, "and
find that ii is drawn up close Have
you nothing nhcnd?'
Not dollar. am sorry to saw re-
turned Jacobs. Living iscvpcnsivc;
and have six mouths 10 feed
| It'jhnt Icit,,r il,.,, H.