The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-09-24

q
seven hundred dollars year His family con
found it necessary to be prudent in all his ex.
penditures, in order to snake both ends meet .
Somewhat independent in his feelings, he had
never asked credit of any one with whom he
dealt, no one offering it, previous to the tempt
ing inducemcnt held out by Edwards, he had
regulated his outgoes by his actual income. BY
this means he had managed to keep even with
the world, though not to gain any advantages
on the side offortune. Let US see how it 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 to him. ..-..
Itwas so very pleasant to have things COM
Portable or for little display, without feeling
that the indulgence drained the purse too heav.
lily. And weak vanity on the part Of Jacobs,
was gratiGed by the fattering opinion of his
honesty entertained by Edwards, the storekeep-
er. His credit was "good," and he was proud
of the fact But the day of reckoning was ap.
preaching, and at last it came.
| Notwithstanding the credit at the drv good
store. there was no more money in t. 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 addi-
tons to the family wardrobe, had been spent
for things, the purchase of which would have
been omitted, but for the fact tha, the dollars
were in the purse instead OF in the storrkeeper's
hands, and tempted needless expenditure.
As the end of the six months credit period
approached, the mind of Jacobs began to rest
upon the dry goods dealers bill, and to be dis
turbed 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 1t was now, for the first time in his
life; that Jacobs felt the nightmare pressure of
debt and it seemed, at times, as if it would al.
most suffocate him.
One evening he came home, feeling more So
Der than usual. lie had thought OF little else
all day besides his bill Mt the store. On meet
ing his wife, he saw that Something was wrong.
"What ails you, Janep 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 hus-
Tears stole to the wife's cheeks from beneath
her haIi.closed lids--the bosom labored with
the weight OF some pressure.
"TeIl me, Jane" urged Jacobs, eff anything
is wrong. Your manner alarms me. Are any
OF the children scky' 49,.
"Oh, no, no. Nothing Of that" was quickly
answered but Mr. Edwards has sent in his
bill
"l'hat was to be expected, of course" said
Jacobs. with forced calnness. "Ihe credit was
for only six months. But, how much is the
bill |"
His voice was unsteady as he asked the ques.
ton.
"a hundred and twenty dollars" And poor
Mrs. Jacobs burst into tears.
'lmpossible" exclaimed the startled edhusband.
"Impossible There is some mistake. A hun.
dred and twenty dollars! Never"
"lbere is the BILL" Aud Mrs. Jacobs drew
it from her bosom.
Jacobs glanced eagerly at the footing up of
the long column of figures, where were nunler-
ais to the value OF one hundred and twenty.
at can't be-" he said in a troubled voice
Edwards has made mistake"
$50 thought, when first looked at the biIl,'
replied Mrs. Jacobs, recovering herself yet
speaking in a sad voice. "But, | am sorry to
say that it is all right I have been over and
over it again, and cannot fnd IN error. Oh,
dear how foolish Iliave been. 1t 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 his eyes
upon the floor. He was thinking rapidly.
so much for good Credit" he said, at
length, taking a loug breath. "What a fno !
have been! That cunning fellow, Edwards.
has gone to the windward OF me- completely.
He knew that il he got mc on his hooks, he
would secure three dollars To one ofmy money,
beyond what he would get under the cash down
system. One hundred and twenty dollars in
six months All, mel Arc we happier now,
for the extra dry goods we have procured! No
not whit. Our Indies have been little bet.
ter clnhed and our love of display gralified 10
some extent. But. has all that Wrought com.
pensa!ion for the pain of this day o reckoning?
Poor Mrs. Jacobs was silent. Sadly was she
repen,ing Of her part in tue folly they had com
initted.
Tea time came. but neither the husband nor
wife could do much more than taste food. That
| hill, far n hundred and twenty dollars had taken