The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-03-24
coaxingly said, Fifty pound! Little

if she could have done so. Not thai
she had any definite suspicion or any
definite fear. II was simply the vague
foreboding that usually accompanies a
false step.
at is for the children" she said hur.
riedIy. "And so keep it sacred, even
from myself. Only the workhouse
should drive me 10 use it.n
This was said gently, but with a Ger.
tain firmness of voice and decision oi
manner not TO be mistaken.
Robert was silent. But all that day,
and the next, and the day after, he was
more loving, playful, tender, faseina-
ting, than he had ever been; either
before or after their marriage.
/ You had much better sell your stock
and good will and go ont 10 America, u
he said, suddenly, on the fourth day
"You are losing your custom more and
more every day, and soon you will have
nothing left 10 sell. Take my advice,
and part with all while you can CON-
mand your market You will do better
with me in New York"
They were alone 1t was evening,
and the little ones were in bed. Rob
ert drew his wife on his knee and kissed
her.
Sell all that you have,o he repeated,
"and come back with NE TO America.
| had a capital situation in New York.
which | gave up TO come to you; but
may have it again if 90 back and ask
for it within the year. My master
promised it. Be advised by me: Janet.
| know the world better than you do
And is not our fortune the same?"
Janet al first demurred, then wept,
then relented, then refused again. wept
afresh, and finally consented won over
by the grand promises and tender ca
reSses her husband avished on her al
ternately. He had behaved so we'll
since he came back-he seemed to be
so thoroughly reformed-that Janet felt
she would have been wicked 10 have
doubted him. And was she not bound
by the laws OF God and man to obey
and follow him whithersoever he might
commando Janet's religion somehow
always took the form of conjugal ODE
dience-though who shonld say it was
from conjugal affection?
1t was then agreed between them
that sale should be announced, and
that Janet should dispose of her house
and trade, her furniture, good will,
everything she had called her own
| Robert always said "our'l, and set
out with her husband TO the New World,
10 begin afresh, and enter on new
aud blessed life of prosperity alone.
Amidst ridicule, entreaties to recon
slider her step and presentations Of
the bitterest misery, amidst prophecies
of desertion, perhaps of murder, and
earnest prayers 10 cast off this infatua-
tion, Janet stole softly among her friends
on the day of the sale, trying hard to
keep mp her heart, and 10 believe in
her own wisdom, and her husbands :
goodness. but failing miserably. as
each fresh volley of satire or of en-
treaty burst upon her. If she could
have retracted she would but the
thing was done now, and right or
wrong she must abide by her own de-
cision.
The sale was effected, and by ii
| Janet realised large sum of money
larger than what she expected, or would
have gained, had she not been so popu-
lar and beloved Altogether, taking
out The fifty pounds before mentioned,
she made up one hundred and fifty
pounds, and with this her husband as
serted 10 her and every body else, they
could make their fortunes in FIVE years
They took ship at Liverpool and
sale d for New York.
They had a prosperous voyage, and
Janet and the children bore it WE'LL
Robert, though nothing like the old
Robert of brutality and ill-usage, was
yet nothing like the tender husband he
had been of late. He was moody and
snappish, and more than once he told
Janet that wife was great hindrance
to man, and that if he had been
alone with such capital TO start with
he would have been a gentleman in a
year or two.
But if you had been alone, dear,
you would not have had such a capt.
tal," said janet, simply. "You know
made it for u.s."
He growled something unintelGgible,
and walked away. Janers heart sank
within her.
"If have been fool after all If
I have been deceived again!o she
thought as she watched him stalking
in the distance. But she would not
give way to such thought, and felt
quite penitent that it had crossed her.
You must not mind my humors,"
said Robert, coming back after a short
time. II was always a sulky, ill-tem-
pered boy, and, Heaven mend me! |
am not much better now. Don't mind
me. Janet, don't mean half say"
He patted her head kindly, and kissed
her forehead, and for the next two or
three days they were very happy.
Land was in sight, and all was ami
nation. People running frantically
above and below, rushing after their
luggage like mad things, crying with
pleasure or stilled by anticipation, the
fond heart beating, the needy soul
hoping, mothers call to their little ones
to look at that dim strip in the horizon