Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-16

snip TOOK their place; a rich plush sofa
followed the chairs, then mantle orna-
ments, then new window curtains, and
so on till the parlor was furnished ihro'-
out in the latest fashion. 81 u... F-a
One evening when Mr.. and Mrs. He
Der were al tea, Anna remarked that Mrs.
Brown thought, they ought to give their
young friends party. They had been
out good deal, and they had never given
one. Their parlor was now furnished in
the fashion, and they could give party as
well as not. r. aa.r -..l -. -. =. ..
Of course, in due time, the party was
given, and it was gotten up in excellent
taste. Every body admired the parlor,
every body was delighted with the party,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Heber made many
new and fashionable friends. anr =.
When the guests had retired, Anna,
and Henry sat together on the SOFIA
They seemed well pleased with the con-
duet of their guests. Anna looked up
10 her husband with affectionate pride
saying:-- b am-am-e.. ... ..... ... ..-...
Every one admired our furniture and
all were pleased with our party. This
is nice place Harry. We have not
been extravagant but we have comfort
able home" ...r.... ......
"True, and pleasant one," returned
the husband. perhaps little soberly.-
I'VE have expended $500 in furniture,
we have made some debts, bu, our home
is so much more inviting, and we have
SO many more friends, l am not sorry."
Besides. Harry, we've go. along so
well; folks expec, something of US, and
ii is well 10 make little display. When
you get into business as you hope, you'll
do The better for it,"
81 agree with you, Anna; and by the
by, may as well tell you now, Mr.. II.
my employer, told me to-day that Mr..
Smith, the husband of the woman who
did no. like our chairs would be obliged
10 give up his store, on account of no,
being able 10 meet notes that Il. holds,
and he said that if could make arrange
men,s with Mr.. s., might take the bus-
mess aud have time to pay the notes.
The business is profitable, and should
do well.
ln less than two weeks Henry Heber
was installed proprietor of slore.-
The establishment was forthwith hand
some!y fitted up, and he commenced
business with glowing prospect. Be-
fore he got fairly started, he fel, sorely
the need of his two hundred dollars
which he had buried in his parlor, but
his credit vas good, and he exercised it.
He had fair run of custom, and his
profits were considerable. His fashion
able friends thought him to be doing WELL
and he mingled in their company like a
lord. Concerts, soirees, and balls, be-
sides private parties social and musical
were frequent. Annals position requi-
red her TO attend all of the "best Glass;"
and heavy expenses were incurred; but
Henry was enjoying himself like a
prince, ill within few weeks Of the
time when his notes came due, business
grew slack, and clouds began to gather
in the future. The pressure continued.
His business did not afford him the
means TO meet his payments. He was
ruined if they were not me-, and he had
but one alternalive--let his friends know
how matters stood, or sell his furniture
at auction. "
The sale was made, at o sacrafce to
be sure, but his credit was saved. Their
house was leased and Anna and Henry
took rooms at a first class hotel; this,
Their position required. Their fashiona-
bic friends understood that these chan
ges had been made because Mrs. Heber
contemplated spending the summer at a
fashionable watering place. Six months
passed. Henry and his wife had learn.
ed what fashionable life was, and with
out an entire revolution of their habits
they could not economize. They kept
up appearances, but every day his bust.
ness enbarrassments pressed harder, till
atlenglh he must get help from his fash
ionable friends, or make an assignment.
He applied to numerous intimate ac-
quainances, but found, though they ad-
mired his style of living, and relished
the dinners he had given, thought him a
good fellow at concerts, soirees-if they
were to be believed their embarrassmenls
were equal to his, and none could help
him dollar. He realized the popular
end:" go
''lf man is down give him thrust;
Trample the beggar into the dust;
Presumptous povertys quite appalling;
Knock him over, and kick him for falling"
The assignment. came, and Henry He
bGr fell, in mercantile phrase, from a
merchant 10 clerk. In this last act he
lost many acquain'ances, but no friends.
Their house did not go in the wreck
becauseit was Annals property, and they
could now occupy it. 1t is furnished
in plain style, with one exception-lhe
prize piano. Ii is treasure for many
reasons. The lessons its history teach
es are profitable, and its music is profila-
BILE; for Anna gives instruction upon it TO
a number o: pupils for the purpose Of
assisting her husband to make another
start III the world. .|r--.
Not long since Henry met a friend
who accosted him with
"Going to the prize concert"