Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-03-12
.Nothing more, | believe.'


wish there was no such thing as credit
Mr.. Lane was, as a matter of course, un-
happy from that moment Had these bills
not existed, and tho surplus of the year
shown the pleasant aggregate of four hun
dred dollars, he would have been quite as hap
py as when he figured it up at six hundred.
But, in Imagination, he had been better off by
two hundred dollars than the truth now dis
covered him to be, and the loss was felt as
real. The remainder of the evening passed
g.oonily enough. When Mr.. Lane retired
to bed, he could not sleep, for thinking of
dry goods, grocery,and bread bills. While
he thus lay awake, memory assisted him to
the knowledge of two or three other little
matters of the same kind. There was an
unsettled tailors bill, that might take twenty
five or thirty dollars to balance: and the boot
maker had something against him. Ten BUSH
els Of potatoes, and three barrels of apples,
that he had ordered sent home in October,
were yet to be paid for. AT least fifty dol
lars more oihis years profits vanished.
At last, Mr.. Lane fell asleep, and dreamed
all night of bills that came almost in show
er around him. On New Year morning, he
sat silent and moody at the breakfast-table,
eating but little, and looking no one in the
face. All were oppressed by his state Of
mind, though mono but his wife knew its ma
ture, and the cause from which it was pro-
duced.
1t was carly when Mr.. Lane went to his
place of business, on the morning ofthe first
of January, not so early, however, but that
one or two persons had preceded him, and
left behind them visible tokens of the fact
On his desk was couple of sealed notes.
Ilo opened them with n vague presentimcnt
of something disagreeablc, and he was not
disappointed. The first contained n mar
row slip of paper, with printed head and
certain written characters and figures below,
which plainly expressed the fact that he was
indebted to certain dealer in groceries, in
the sum Of twenty six dollars.
30 Dcarp was the mental exclamation of
pain that followed the perusal of this bill
That little piece of paper, three or four in
ehes wide, and six inches long, should have
such power over the feelings of man!
The next bill was opened with more ner-
vous state of mind. As he broke the seal
and displaced the envelope, another narrow
piece fpaper, folded over from the ends in
three sections, dropped upon the desk. 1t
was the bread bill for six months, and called
for forty flour dollars and ten cents.
SIS it possible! Too bad too bad! too bad
| had no idea of this
Thus the unhappy man expressed his feel
ings. While yet holding this bill in his hand,
a lad entered the store, and coming to the
desk whore he sat, politely handed him an
ominous piece of paper, and retired. He o.
pcncd it, aud read:
'Mr. Archibold Lano-Bought off, Sc.
The particulars were, an air-tight stove,
at twelve dollars, cooking stove. at thirty;
and various other matters of Russia pipe
iire-boards, etc., in all amounting to fifty five
dollars. Though the genial heat from the
air-tight stove had comforted Mr.. Lane eve
ry evening since it camo home and he had
enjoyed the improved cooking of the new ad-
dition to the kitchen department, he had en-
tirely forgotten that the bill for these increa-
sed advantages had never been settled.
Il Declare he exclaimed, half aloud, and
striking the desk as he spoke, 'how came
to forget that bill | meant to have paid il
when the articles came home, and told Jcn-
kins TO send it in.
Soon after this, Mr.. Lanes young man
came from the post office. There were three
letters, each with a bill enclosed. One, the
tailor's bill called for forty eight dollars an
other was from halter, and demanded five;
and the third came from iobbing carpenter
who had been called in at sundry times &c
mend and make, and asked for the sum OF
twenty three dollars and ninety two cents.
Mr.. Lane read them over, and then placed
them under n papcr-weight on his desk, ut
tering, at the same time, n long drwn sigh.
The morning paper was yet unread, II
lay on the desk beside Mr.. Lane; and from
habit, more than from any desire to know its
contents, he opened il and commenced read
ing. An occurrence Of some interest had ta-
ken place in a neighboring city; and he was
in the midst of n narrative of tho event. and
much interested in it, when he started and
turned quickly at the sound of voice near
him. a man had entered, and was standing
at his elbow.
Good morning, Mr.. Lane, said the man.
Good morning, Williams replied Mr.
Lane. Can do anything for you to-day!
he added, in tone Of affected cheerfulness
Not much,' said tho visitor, removing his
hat as he spoke, and taking therefrom a small
package of papers, which he commenced tur.
ming over.
You ha'n't a bill against mcl' Mr.. Lane
spoke confidently.
'What do you call that! replied the man
as he drew slip of paper from the package
in his hand, and presented il.
Ono barrel of flour, five hams, a bushcl o.
/ corn meal, and a sack Of salt. Bless me
/ Didn't pay for these at tho timcr
! The man smiled, and shook his head.
/ why; it's nine months since made the
| purchase. And I'm certain told you tC
send in the bill. never like small matters
/ of tho kind TO stand
Its boen overlooked. But the money will
be just as good now was the answer.
With as good a grace as it was possible
for him To- assume, Mr.. Lano turned to hi
desk, and drawing forth his pocket book
counted out the thirteen dollars; saying, a
he did so, The next time | make bill a
your store, wish you to send il in befor,
tho first of January
Il won't PROMISE was ood-humorcdly re
piled, as the man withdrew. The pleasur
was all on his side, and he could afford to b.
in good humor.
Il hope that's the last, said Mr.. Lane, a
he wound the string of his pocket book aroun
and around It's distendcd sides, and then lai,
| a. oarofuilv in HE doek Rnf ba xvos in, nv