Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-11-21

his actual income. BY this means he had
managed TO keep even with the world,
though not to gain any advantages on the
side Of fortune. Lei us see how i, was
with him at the end Of six tnonths, under
the new system. Le, us see if his "yood
credit" has been of any real benefit TO
him.
1t was so very pleasant 10 have things
CO nfortAble or for ahale display, wi,hou,
feeling that the Indulgence drained the
purse to, heavily. And weak vanity on
the part of Jacobs, was Fcratified by the
h,,ering opinion of his honesty en,er,ain-
ed by Edwards, the storekeeper. His
credit was good" and he was pr ,ud of
the fact. But the day Of reconins was
apps oaching, and at last il came.
Notwilh standing the credit at the drv
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
wardwrobe, had been spent for things, the
purchase OF which would have been omit.
ed, but for the fact that the dollars were
in the purse instead Of in The storekeepers
hands, and tempted needless expenditure.
As the end Of six months credit period
approached, the mind Of J Jacobs began to
rest upon the dry goods dealers bill, and
to be disturbed by feeling of anxiety
As to the amnun, of the 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, parlicu-
larry as he had nothing ahead, and his
current expenses were fully up to his in
come. Ii was now for the first time in
his life tha: Jacobs felt the night mare
pressure Of debt, and il seemed, at times
as II it would suffoeate him.
One evening he came home, feeling
more sober than usual. He had thought
Of little else all day but 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 sho made it, and the hus-
band saw that her lips slightly quivered.
"Some,aine is wrong Jane" said the
husband.
Ter. stole to the wife's cheeks from
beneath her half closed lils-the bosom
laborca with he weight of some pressure
Tel! me, jane" urged Jacobs, "if any
thing is wrong. Your manner alarms
me. Are any of the children sick ?''
ooh, no, nn. Nothing of that" was
quickly answered. But-but-Mr Ed
wards has sent in his bill"
''Tisat was 10 berxpec'ed, Of course"
said Jacobs, with forced calmness. The
credit was for 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.
"Impossible exclaimed the startled
husband. "Imposible! 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 fnotins mp
the long column of figures, where were
numerals to the value of one hundred and
twenty.
81, can't be-" he said in troubled
voice "E Eiwsrl> has made mi>'ake.'
IS, l thought. when | first looked at
the bilI,' replied Mrs Jacobs, recovering
herself ye, speaking in u sad voice. "But
| am sorry 10 say that it is all right.
have been over and over il again and cam.
not find an error. Oh, dear how foolish
have been. !, was so easy TO get things
when no money had to be paid down.
But | never thought Of a bill like this
Never"
Jacobs sat for some moments with hi,
eyes upon the floor. He was thinking
rapidly. -
SO much for good credit he said at
length taking long breath. what fool
| have been! That cunning fellow, Ed
wards, has gone TO winaward Of me COM
p|etely. He knew that if he got me on
his books, he would secure three dollars
to one Of my money. Beyond wha: he
would get under the cash down system.
One hundred and twenty dollars in six
months! All, me! Are we happier.
now, for the radry goods we have pro-
cured? Not whit! Our bodies have
been little better clothed, our love of
display gra,ifed TO some extent. But, has
all tha. wrought compensation for the
pain OF this day Of reckoning p .. 81.
Poor Mrs Jacobs was silent. Sadly
was she respecting of her part in the fol-
lv they had committed.
Tea time came but neither the husband
nor wife could do mnch more than taste
food. That bill for one hundred and twen.
ty dollars had taken away their appetites.
The night that followed brought TO neither
of them avery refreshing slnmber, and in
the morning they awoke sober minded and
little inclined for conversation. Bnt one
thought was in The mind of Jacobs-the
bill of Edwards: and one feeling in the
mind Of his wife-seli-reproach for her
part in the work Of embarrassment.
'What will you do 2 said Mrs Jacobs
in voice that was unsteady, looking into
her husbands face with glittering ewes,
as she laid hand upon his arm, causing
him to pause as he was about leaving the
house.
I'm sure ! don't know replied the
Young man, gloo mily. i shall have 10 see
Edwards. suppose. and ask him to wait.