Democratic banner., 1851-05-14

VOL. 6. LOUISIANA, Pl
lady said, ,ras a very pretty young woman. Her
hair curied, her eyes were of jet black, her
hand was delicate and Of a hly-white, and she
knew how 10 dispense the most gracious and be-
witching smiles; how could she be otherwise
than pretty? And if pretty, likewise amiable9
At least, so thought for a time Tom Turnabout,
Esq, who esteemed himself her liege lord and
master.
But there was one thing that seriously trou-
bled Tom, and that was, how to broach the sub
|ject of coming into due possession and manage
ment of his wile's property. For this he had
married; could it be that he was no rbetter of
now9 The thought alone made him giddS.
He went round and round the subject in his
mind for q long time. at each revolution only be-
coming the more perplexed. At no single time
dared he to nerve his courage up to the effort
necessary to be made in order to have the mat.
ter completely understood between them. Eu-
phrasia had never attended to the subject Of mo-
ney, simply going ahead and managing the house
hold if she had fully resolved to count ct least
enc in its management and classification. Tom
had repeatedly hinted to her about 'deposites, ,
'bank stock taxes and all the other minute
|appurtenances 10 the possession Of fortune, but
hitherto 10 just no purpose at all: she made neith
er revelation nor explanation-least Of all did
she betray her native acuteness Of readily taking
Ia hint.
Such a state Of affairs was fast worrying Tom
into fit Of desperation, il not into his grare,
and he finally made up his mind 10 come to an
understanding, in some way or another, just as
soon as practicable.
So long as il was necessary to keep the en-
bers Of hope alive, he had sedulously avoided all
his former acquaintance, lest he might too sud-
denly give shock to the delicate nerves Of his
wife, and so lose his chances altogether. But
as soon as he found that disguise helped him not
q bold push that should settle all. He finally
became convert TO the sentiment SO epigram-
matically expressed by the poet:
"He either fears his fate TOO much,
Or his deserts are small,
Who dares not put it 10 che touch,
To gain or lose it ALL"
Accordingly he laid himself out to bring matters
to head at once.
.Dick, said he to . companion Of his, ,one aE-
the latter-'Dick, I'm in quandaryr
"A quandary!'
Yes
About what?'
q want some money
You want money! Why, how much did you
marry, pray?'
More than shall ever get, fear
well, that's good one! But what's the trou.
ble?'
DO you keepa secreir asked Tom, in whis.
per.
Try me, and see.'
l married money, you know
| Everybody says so, at any raie.'
And everybody thinks so but me! There's
a plenty Of money in the case, but unluckily
there's none to be had! can't lay hold Of IT.
'Ha! ha! han laughed Dick, in his face.
You laugh, but wha. would you dor
What would do?'
! 'Yes--what shall / do?'
Nothing is easier replied Dick.
4 hope not said Tom, but how shall l 60 to
work?'
Have you broached the subject to your bet
ter half2'
Haven't dared to; she won't let me, in fact!"
Then run up bill or two
Then whaI?' asked Tom, earnestly.
Have it sent in at such time to the house,
and be sure not to be at hcme.'
Il never thought of that
She'll either pay it or blow" continued Dick.
But what if the latter?'
Then you've got at the core of your subject,
and you can 60 ahead after that as circumstan-
ees will best allow
IIltry it'll act on your happy suggestion!'
'Why not at once?'
True; what will you have? Shall we go into
Carriers and get one of his incest teams and take
a drive out to Spikeville?'
you couldn't have hit the nail more exactly
on the head; let's 60 at oncep said Dick.
! That was a"last" afternoon-the remainder OF
it-and it began new era. To be sure, it was
a step taken in the dark, but Tom hoped that il
would lead to happy results and plenty Of ready
money.
In due time the bills began to come in.
One morning the door bell rang; it CHANGED to
be about nine o'clock. The servant answered
the summons, and carried bill up stairs TO her
mistress. The bell rang again, and there came
q second bill. A third time, and another BILL
Mrs. Euphrasia Turnabout began TO grow alarm
ed. Presently came along the dinner hour. Il
duly found Tom Turnabour, Esq, at home and
al the table.
Al