The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-12-29
WHOLE NUMBER l44

from the pen OF the same writer, Whlch
is equally As good as the verses"
Laura read the story with even II
deeper intensity than she had experienced
in pcrusing the other. She arose from
its perusal, saying;
L" Mechanic or no mechanic, it is de-
cidedly the best thing of the kind | have
read this many day"
81 know it! Perhaps you would
consent to have an introduction to tho
once despised author"
"Spare me, now, En-, am fairly
beat, and own it,"
But the enchantmcnt Of the hour
passed away with the novelty of the ex-
citemcnt consequent on reading the
+" Lines" and the story, and Miss
Spencer relapscd into her old state Of
prejudice, and when afterwards her
cousin proposed that they should all be
married together, she would not consent,
but had her ceremony separate.
After marriage the Mantons s--up in
style. Both parties were wealthy, and
no pains were spared by either to make
their establishment one Of the best
furnished and most elegantly fitted up Of
any in the city.
Mandcvill and his partner were less
ostentatious, less fond of fashion and
high life. They lived elegantly but
plainly, and always within their income.
Time is q crest leveler. Five years
have passed away snce we left our young
friends in their new houses five years
Of change, fortunes made and fortunes
lost Five years. What revolutions
have taken place in that brief period
We will look in upon the Mantons.
The husband has just returned after the
cares Of the day, and looks much defect
ed. Laura who was a really affectionate
wife, was not slow to perceive the cloud
on his brow, and with the tenderest
5olicitude inquired
" What troubles you, my dear' You
look so distressed :"
" | am very tired, love; the business
of the day has been more than | could
bear"
"Why do you worry yourself so much
o, do not do 50. We have enough to
keep us in comfort the rest of our lives
without so much harrassmcnt and care"
"Ah, Laura, you are little aware of
the expenses attending our style OF
living"
Then let US curtail them. Any
thing but such trouble for you.
sit is too late to reform now. Laura
| am ruined :"
Ruined You DO not mean"
Yes, | have notes that mature to-
morrow to the amount Of twenty
dollars, to lift which | have
lot more than five thousand on hand!
The banks have ceased diScounting, and
| have tried in vain to borrow the
amount even for week :"
Why did you not tell m, of this
sooner :"
- feared to break the fatal intelli-
,ence to you, and still had hope of
yeathering the storm until to-day Now,
Has the certainty of doom is upon us
Cor myself | could endure the fatal re-
ult, but you, oh, what will you do :"
Here he buried his face in his hands
o hide his emotion. Laura stole to his
idc and laying her arms tenderly about
lis neck, softly whispered -
/" Do not be troubled on my account.
can endure any fortune, any fate, so
ou are spared We can still be happy
we are reducod,'
" You know not of the trials of tho
oor-nothing of their tolls, their priva-
ions, their wants !"
40, it will not be so bad as that !"
"Worsc Everything will be swept
way, and you will be reduced to a state
ordering on beggary. Would that l
ad never beea born ~
Laura was pale as dea,h-the awful
lte in store vas almost more than she
ad strength to look in the face; but
'rcing back the agony to her heart, and
ne tears that struggled to free them
elves to remain unshed, she tried every
rt and device TO cheer her husband,