Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-09-04

and three children. ana ne nad 1ouhu IL
necessary to be prudent IN all his exPen.
d,ures. in order to make both ends meet.
Somewhat Independent in his ieeiings' ne
had never asked credit OF any one with
whom he dealt. and. no one offering II:
previous 70 the tempting inducement held
out by Edwards. he had regulated his
out ooes bv his actual income. by this
. means he had managed to keep even with
the world. though not to gain any advan-
taoes on the side Of fortune. Let US see
how il was with him at the end OF SIX
months. under the new system. Let US
see if his good credit has been of any
real benefit 20 him.
1t was SO very pleasant to have things
comfortable or for little display, without
feeling that the indulgence drained the
purse too heavily. And weak vanity on
the part of Jacobs. was gratfied by the
hattering opinion of his honesty entertain
ed bv Edwards. the storekeeper. His
credit was good and he was proud OF
the fact. But the day of reckoning was
approaching. and at last it came.
Notwithstanding the credit at the dry
goods store. there was no more money IN
the young clerks purse at the end OF SIX
months than at the beginning. The cash
that would have gone for clothing. when
necessity called for additions to the family
wardrobe, had been spent for things. the
purchase of which would have been omit
ted, but for the fact that the dollars were
in the purse instead Of in the storekee per s
hands, and tempted needless expendi-
ture.
As the end Of the six months credit
period approached. the mind Of Jacobs be-
gan to rest upon the dry goods dealers
bill. and to be disturbed by feeling Of
anxiety. As to the amount Of this bill.
he was in some uncertainty; but he thought
that it could not be less than forty dollars.
That was large sum for him to owe,
particularly as he had nothing ahead,
and his current expenses were fully up to
his income. Itwas now. for the first time
in his life. that Jacobs felt the nightmare
pressure Of debt. and it seemed. at times.
as if i, would almost suffocate him.
One evening he came home. feeling
more sober than usual. He had thought
OF little else all day besides his bill at the
Store. On meeting his wife, he saw that
something was wrong.
What ails you, Jane" said he kindly.
Are you sick!'
No was the simple reply. But her
eyes dropped as she made it. and her
husband saw that her lips slightly quivered.
Something is wrong. jane said the
husband.
Tears stole to the wife's cheeks from
beneath her half closed lids--lhe bosom
labored with the weight OF some pressure.
Tell me, Jane urged Jacobs. If any
thing is wrong. Your manner alarms me
Are any Of the children sick!'
'Oh, no. no. Nothing Of that was
quickly answered. 'But-but-Mr. ed
wards has sent in his BILL
That was to be expected. of course
said Jscobs. with forced calmness. The
credit was for only six months. But.
how much is the bil!'
His voice was unsteady as he asked
the question.
a hundred and twenty dollars And
poor Mrs. Jacobs burst into tears
'lmpossibe!' exclaimed the startled
husband. 'Impossible! There is some
mistake. A hundred and twenty dollars!
Never!'
There is the bill And Mrs. Jacobs
drew it from her bosom.
Jacobs glanced eagerly at the footing
up of the long column of figures. where
were numerals to the value of one hun
dred and twenty.
/ lit can't be- he said in troubled voice
Edwards has made mistake
so | thought. when first looked at the
bll.' replied Mrs. Jacobs. recovering her
self. yet speaking in sad voice. But.
am sorry to say. that it is all right. have
been over and over it again, and cannot
find an error. Oh, dear! how foolish
have been. 1t was so easy TO get things
when no money had to be paid down.
But. never thought of bill like this.
Never
! Jacobs sat for some moments with his
eyes upon the floor He was thinking
rapidly.
! so much for good credit he said. at
length. taking long breath. what a
fool have been! That cunning fellow,
Edwards. has gone to the wndward of me
completely. lie knew that if he got me
on his books. he would secure three dol
would get under the cash-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 display
gratified to some extent But. has all that
'ooSit compensation 'ot tue pam oi
this day Of reckoning'
Poor Mrs. Jacobs was silent. Sadly
was she repenting of her part in the folly
they had committed
Tea time came. but neither the hus-
band nor wife could DO much more than
taste food. That bill for hundred and
twenty dollars had taken away their ap-
peti'es. The night that followed brough,
to neither of them very refreshing slum
Der; and in the morning they awoke sober
minded. and little inclined for conversa-
ton. But one thought was in the mind
of Jacobs-,he bill of Edwards; and one
feeling in the mind Of his wife-selcr re-
proach for her mart in the work of embar.