Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-03-12
From Graham's Magazine.
JANUARY BILLS.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

The year ls- proved very good year for
Mr.. Archibald Lane. His business steadily
increased from the first day of January, and
his profits were as fair as they had ever been.
Heretofore, his expenses had kept so closely
side by side with his income, as to leave his
mind oppressed with care, and in some doubt
as to future success; but during la- all had
been so brisk in matters of trade, and SO easy
in matters of money, that his mind was uni
formly cheerful, and sometimes elated. lie
felt that, at least, he was entering the way of
prosperity; a way he had been seeking so
earnestly to find.
As the year drew towards its close, Mr..
Lane experienced feeling Of self satisiac
ton unusual at such times. A doubt as to
which would over balance tho other, his OK
pcnses or his profits, had usually made the
last week of the year one of great sobriety
to Mr.. Lane. In lS-, it was different
As the year waned, he had none of the old
feelings, for he was well satisfied that he
would have several hundred dollars on the
profit side of the account, above and beyond
all expenses, something that had not occurred
n former times.
"If have made both ends meet, | will be
satisfied" was his usual mental declaration,
WHICH ut plONttutu " liidht up HIS utNOuul
for the year. 1t was different now.
"If don't have five or six hundred dollars
over, | shall be much mistaken" This was
the pleasant remark of Mr.. Lane to himself
as he began the work of ascertain;ng the re-
suit of his years business. All came out pret-
ty much as he expected. There was bal
ance in his favor of about six hundred dol
lars, after liberal margin had been allowed
Z. ~, 10 ,,,l L 4f,l
Things begin TO look little brighter"
said Mr.. Lane, as he sat alone with his wife
on New Years eve The younger children
were in bed, and the two Oldest daughters,
Kate and Emily, were ont, spending the eve
ming with friend. This was said after taking
a scgar from his mouth, and letting the smoke
curl lazily over his head, which was rcclin-
ing on the back of Il cushioned rocking chair.
I'm glad to hear you say So replied Mrs.
Lano. And she spoke from her heart. Now
Years eve had not always been cheerful
time.
'l've been locking over my affairs to day,
continued the husband, 'and find myself bet
ter of than was at this time last year, by at
least six hundred dollars
That is encouraging
Il feel it so. | trust things are to be easier
in future, and that we will get little before
hand in the world. Ii is time; for will soon
be in years, and less able to give active atten-
ton to business
I'm pleased on moro than one account,
said Mrs. Lane, 'to hear that you have done
so well this year
1've been good deal worried to day about
bill that had no idea would be half as large
as it is. 1t was sent in this morning.
Whose bill is thatF asked Mr., Lane, with
All apparent change of feeling.
Mr.. Mercer's bill for dry goods
Il didn't know there was bill there
80 yes. Don't you remember that you told
nc toget whatever the family wanted, ofhimF
Il didn't mean TO run up bill, though
'lt was so understood by me. But that
makes little difference. If the money had
been paid down, the cash would not have been
on hand now
How much is the billF
I'm most afraid to say
How muchP
'Onc hundred and thirty dollars!'
ooh dear dear dearr calculated Mr.. Lane,
throwing his segar into the crate, beginning
to rock himself violently. so much of my
six hundred dollars scattered to the winds!
| wonder how many more bills you will have
coming in!
This was downright cruel; and so Mrs.
Lane felt it. She did not, however, punish
him for the ungenerous remark with tears,
for she was not woman disposed on all oc-
casions, to give way to this weakness. Her
reply was:
None that the wants of the family have
not required TO be made
But ! wished you to pay cash Anna. You
know that, last January, when we were al
most smothcred with bills from all quarters
We made a resolution to pay cash for every
thing during the coming year; and thought
this had been doneT
q know very wen that such thing was
talked about replied Mrs. Lane, and, be.
| lieve, acted upon for a time. And ! alsC
know that you told me to open an account al
Mercer's in the Spring, when | asked yot
for money to purchase summer clothing fol
the family
Il didn't mean to have it go beyond that,
said Lane modifying his tone.
But what other tickets are theror
There is bill at Cheeseman's for Gro
ceries.'
That amt much, for have bought almos
everything in quantities.
NO, don't suppose il will amount to any
thing of consequence
ANY othor billsr
mo, none, except the bread bill.
Il thought you paid cash for breadr
we never did that, Mr. Lane. The ba
kcr serves us daily, making on his tally sticl
the number of loves, and once in three or 81,
months sends in bill, when lis paid
How long is this bill been runningF
six months, believe
And will bo forty or fifty dollars