The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-10-31

treating form reflected back from the mir
ror and instantly called him back.
"Wait a moment, Edward" said she,
and taking a purse from drawer she ex-
amined the contents. 81 am going out
shopping, this morning, and have not half
money enough to make my purchases
Y GU must give me some, for have quite
a number of articles 20 buy"
What have you to buy!'
90! L am going TO get new dress,
said she in careless tone,''you know that
beautiful cashmere which Jane Roberts
wears; think | will get one like that, it
is so pretty, and | may well get baby
frock while am about it; and must get
some new ornament for my neck, too, am
tired OF this gold chain. and think string
of coral beads would be much more be-
| coming-they are quite fashionable now.
And there's that silver comb you gave me
a year ago; II is getting quite out of date,
and | must have a new shell one, they are
more genteel. Let me see with what |
have got | think can manage with twelve
dollars to-day.
During this rapid enunciation of intend
ed purchases, Edward had stood with his
eyes cast down, and his cheek blanched
with emotion. He had hitherto never re-
fused his wife in her demands upon his
purse, however unreasonable ihey might
be; for possessed of kind and afectionate
heart, he shrunk from discord as from the
deadliest i'll of life. But suddenly new
spirit seemed TO possess him, and raising
his head he betrayed flushed cheek, as
h he hastily stepped 10 her side, and stood
with her confronting the glass.
II SaiH he in clear tone Of Vpipo
(which should dress the better, man or
his wife?"
'Neither, to be sure" replied she, re-
garding him with a look of unleIgned as
tonishment; ''they should both appear alike
in that respect"
"And who is dressed the better n01U?"
said he glancing at his clothes, whi ch were
his best, and though of good materials worn
and thread-bare then at her rich velvet
shawl and satin dress --"who is dressed
the better now, pray?"
land whose fault is it that you do not
dress better?'' said she in an ronical tone
of voice, in whose chords not the least
blending of kindness could be detected;
..It you do not choose 10 dress better,
am sure | cannot help it. | did not
marry YOU TO dress you, but expected
to be dressed decently myself without all
this fuss. You owe me fifteen dollars
now?"
Sheldon turned his dark. penetrating eve
upon the face of his wife, and gazed till
her own sank beneath his look and blush
of shame crimsoned her cheek.
81 oace you, do II" said he at length
with heavy sigh, as he threw himself in
To an arm chair, and resting his head a
gainsl the back, seemed for moment lost
in thought. ~ es Ellen, did stipuaate
to give hundred dollars year for your
personal expenses, eighteen months ago,
but then business was far better than IL is
now, and our expenses were less. Then
| was free from debt and comparatively |
happy; now, let me toll as may, cannot
meet our accumulated bills from week TO |
week, and from month TO month the debt
is growing heavier rpon my hands. Look |
at mel have not spent ten dollars Tor
clothing the last year, and prefer now to
appear In this shabby suit, rather than
leave my credito rs unpaid, while you in
sist upon the payment of the whole sum |
have promised. Our last three months
board is yet unsettled, and it is but few
days since that you warned me that our
washerwoman' bill had run up to fifteen
dollars. You might, Ellen,' lie continued
and his voice grew husky with emotion as
he rapidly proceeded; "you might aid me
in the struggle. Our expenses might be |
Immediately curtaled one-halt, if you |
would consent 10 keep house and do our
work; | could hire sufficient room for us
to live comfortably at moderate rate and |
by frugaIity and industry on your part, !
we might be saved from this continual
downfall which will ultimately ruin US. /
If instead of one dollar a week for wash |
ing, you would cheerfully do ii, and spare
at least one-half from your personal ex- |
penses, which, with the other plans pro-
pose would bring our expenses within our
means, we might yet be prosperous and |
happy"
While speaking, Sheldon had drawn his
chair towards his wife, and taking her del
icate hand in his, with that kindness and |
gentleness of manner, which was his wont
when unrepulsed by GOODNESS or severity.
Now a tear had risen to his eye, which he
hastily brushed away as unmanly; buthls
lip quivered with emotion as he finished |
his appeal.
know not how woman's heart could
resist language like that, uttered as it was
with that indescribable earnestness of man
ner which comes from an overburdened