The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-17


had made her appear mean and selfish i'm the
eyes of the world. 1t was necessary for her to
maintain a certain style so long as she moved
in fashionable circle and this she found it
difficult to do All the rich and extravagant
clothing she had-the elegant bracelets and
other jewelry, the velvet and brocade, Mr..
Dean purchased himself; and these, in his es-
timahon, were the sum total of all that was
needed. At that time she was greatly in want
of common dressing-gown of hose and peck
et-handkerchiefs, and night-clothes, and these
she resolved to get for there were no such
incOngrultes in her character as to make her
satisfied with outward splendor and hidden
poverty and want
The next morning after the incidents above
related, Mrs. Dean at an early hour repaired
to the shop of jeweer, for the purpose OF
disposng of bracelet that cost her husband
one hundred dollars
81 could not give you more than seventy
five, madam" said the dealer in jewels. :" 1t
probably cost more than that; but | do not
find this kind Of bracelet very saleable, and |
should not be willing to increase the sum"
The bargain was concluded, and with her
mopey Mrs. Dean purchased macy necessary
and useful articles for herself and children,
and she enjoyed the luxury of many little com
forts and conveniences, to which she had for
years before been a stranger. Mr.. Dean fire.
quently gave her funds for family expenses
but not a word was said about dress.
GOOD for Mrs. Dean" observed Mr. Gray's
first clerk. "She has been here dozen times
within month, and has not compromised her
dignity by asking us to fall on one single arti
clen
wonder what has happened to Mrs Dean !n
said market man. "She don't hold on to
her sixpences half as tight as usual
One evening, about six months after the
events | have related, Mr.. Dean and his wife
were having coy chat, during which he sur
prised her with diamond ring
THANK you, dearest; you are very kind; but
do not wish to wear diamonds fear they
will make beggar Of you, added She very
significantly, and shade of sadness passed
over her hitherto animated face
"Well | want you to wear that diamond at
least" remarked the husband. "By the way,
Helen, what has become of that bracelet
bought for you in London! | have not seen
you wear it in long time"
Mrs. Deans face was suffused with crimson.
She did not want to disturb the harmony of
their evening by an explanation and by de-
fence of her conduct. She felt that it would
position was mbarrassing-that he had placed
her on level with mere dependent upon his
bounty. But his searching eye was upon her,
and he awaited a reply.
81 have sold the bracelet Mr.. Dean.o
Sold it, The devil you have What did
you sell it for!"
81 sold it to supply myself with the necessa-
ries of life" she quietly answered
Necessaries Of life :" exclaimed the enragcd
man. "One would think you were in suffer
| ing condition, to see your surroundings"
No, Mr.. Dean; one would think had all
| that heart could wish So far as externals are
concerned, | have more than is necessary
have what you choose to get, and you general
ly choose to get whatever will crafty your own
vanity and make display. But never have
one cent at my command, save what is doled
| out in dribbets; and often need things the
necessity for which you cannot appreciate; and
furthermore, do not want to trouble YOU with
| them. But the children and myself have al
most suffered for the want of shoes; and Char
he has had the cramp more than once in con-
sequence. | never have shilling to bestow on
| the poor, and | am often so reduced that can
not bespeak carriage or pay for an omnibus
ticket in shower Many time have had
to wait for hours for your return home, that
might get dime to send for medicine for a
sick child = and when Willie died but nc
matter now"
The wife was convulsed with powerful emo
tions, every nerve throbbed with fear and agony.
at is desperate game" thought She " but
| have been beggar long enough" And she
continued: al have had to abuse myself by
higglng with fish-women and jewing market
men. What is expended upon my own dress
is abundantly sufficient, if | could have it I'M
der my own control and exercise my own judg-
ment. But now, while wear a fifteen-dollar
hat and hundred-dollar shawl, am some
times unable to buy paper of pins or pair
of boot-laces. Unless | can be made little
more Independent, | shall sell any valuables |
may have in possession that can be disposed Of.
As tor coming to you for every farthing that
have to use, and rendering an account of its
expenditure, l shall mol do IT, You may de-
pend upon that"
The face Of her lord and master 4" was lvid
with rage. His eye glared with the ferceness
OF tiger, and from his thin, pale lips proceed
ed such volley of oaths, that she trembled
and almost shrieked under the fury of the
storm she had raised. He cruelty npbraded
her, called her fool, and said she was guilty
of the basest ingratitude
we are going to settle accounts, will 20 to
the past, and bring in bill that you seem to
have forgotten. Who struggled with you in
poverty? Who toied early and late for the
comforts that you were unable to procure
When our frst-born cried for bread, and there
was none to give him, whose hands earned it ?
When you yourself was treading the down.
ward path TO ruin, who arrested your steps,
and won you back to temperance Who gen
fly drew you aside from the gaming table, and
procured for you honorable employment?
Who practiced frugality, and encouraged you
to lay up the first fruits Of honorable indus |
try Who labored in every way to promote |
your pecunary interests On whom did you
rely for COUNSEL Who cheered or sustained |
you? And again. when the dark cloud Of
adversely seemed ready to overwhem us, whose
vigilant eye saw the danger and whose prompt |
action dspelled the darkness! Who on bend |
ed knee has daily sought wisdom from on High |
to aid her in becoming faithful mother TO your |
children Who has made it her study, for |
the last twenty years, to be to you help-moet |
q true and loving companon"
Enough enough" cried the husband |
Z" say no more, for Gods sake Tell me what |
you want, and will give it, though it be the
half Of my fortune"
Mr.. Deans anger had subsidized. The Past
oh he had almost forgotten it. Strange that
memory should be 30 treacherous, especially |
about those things that ought to be remem-
bered. The Past it brought associations that
humbled him. Never before had his wife hint.
ed at his obligations to her, but now her every
word burned into his soul the conviction of his
own ngrattude Noble woman that she WAS
He ought rather to worship than to upbraid.
To her he owed everything-she made him
what he was, and he knew it.
DO not suppose, dear reader, that there was
any Intentional wrong on the part of Mr.. Dean.
Far from it. Few men love their wives more
than he loved his and few have as much rea-
son to do 30. He thought the provision made
for his family was abundant and the smallneAs