Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1853-07-21
THE NEW CARPET.

is, and one good purchase is better than
a dozen poor ones. Ill buy one of the
very finest and most beautiful Brussels.
Afternoon came; the rosy babe was
laid asleep in his cradle, and the little
maid received a score of charges to ling
er by its side every moment till the dar>
ling woke up. Jeanette, flushed with
eager anticipation. looked her prettiest,
and throwing a mantilla over her hand
some shoulders. she was Just hurrying
away when loud ring at the door bro't
out a very pettish oh, dear! at the ex'
pected intrusion.
oh, Jeanette! -dear Jeanette ! and
pale young creature sank painting on the
sofa.
We are in such trouble-such dread
ful trouble! Can you help US T? Do you
think We could borrow hundred dollars
from your husband =? Couldn't you get
it for US Jeanette You know you said
l might always rely upon you when tri-
al came, and poor Charles expects to
have his little stock Of goods attached !,
and he is SO sickly!
Dear, dear 7 said Jeanette. her great
good heart suddenly contracting Ed
ward told me only this morning not to
ask him for any money for three months; ;
and she gathered her purse up tightly in
her handkerc chief. I'm sure if-l-only
could obllge you. l would, hut I expect
Edward is really hardly pushed. You
know he has just commenced business
Can't you get it elsewhere? Have you
tried p
Yes answered her friend. despond-
ingly, I've tried every where. People
know that Charles is sick, and cannot re.
pay Immediately. Oh it seems to me
some creditors have such stony hearts
Mr.. j knows just our circumstances
vet he insists upon that money. Oh /! it
is so hard ! 1t is So hard I
Her piiiful voice. and the big tears run
ming like rain down her palid cheeks al
most unnerved Jeanette sel6shness.
But that carpet-that beautiful carpet
she had promised herself SO long, and SO
often been disappointed Of its possession,
that she could not give it up. She knew
her husbands heart-and that he would
urge her to self-denial-no: she would
not see him-lf she did il was all over
with the carpet.
We'll. said the poor friend. in de-
spending voice, rising TO 60, I'm sorry
you can't help me; know you would
if you could. and it is something to know
that-but 60 back with u heavy heart.
Good morning, dear Jeanette hope
you will never know what 1t is to want
and 10 suffer-
How handsome the new carpet looked
as the sun strcamed in on its wreathed
| flowers, its colors of fawn and blue. and
crimson. its soft velvety richness-and
how proud felt little Mrs. Jeanette at
the lavish praises Of her neighbors. 1t
was bargain, too; she had saved ten
dollars in its purchase. ard bought pair
of elegant window shades-a beautiful
match for her beautiful carpet.
Il declare !! said her husband, 'this
looks like comfort, but it spoils all my
pleasure to think of poor Charley Som.
ers. The poor fellow is dead .."
Jeanette gave little sharp scream,
and the flush faded from her face.
Eyes! that rascoly =! For the
paltry sum Of hundred dollars, he at
tached every thing in the little shop. and
was SO insulting besides. that Charles
springing angrily up in his bed. ruptur-
ed blood vessel, and lived scarcely an
hour afterward. You know he has been
weak and sickly this great while.'
And Mary 2 issued from Jeannette's
bloedless lips.
She has dead child and they tell
me her life is despaired of. Why on earth
didn't they send 10 me? I could easily
have spared the money for that purpose,
if it bad stripped me Of the last cent they
should have had it. Poor fellow--poor
Mary!
And / might have saved it all-GHy
shrieked Jeanette. sinking upon h.r
knees on the rich carpet; 'oh Edward.
will God ever forgive me for my heart-
lesshess? Mary did call here. and with
tears begged me TO aid her-and IL
had the whole sum in my very hand
and coldly turned her away. Oh my
God forgive me forgive me-
| In the very agony Of grief. poor Jean
nette would receive no comforl. in vain
her husband strove 10 soothe her; she
would not hear word in extenuation of
i her selfish conduct.
| 'Ishall never forget poor Mary's tears;
shall never forget her sad voice; they
will haunt me to my dying day. Oh
take il away--that hateful carpet / have
purchased it with the death of my dear
est friend. How could be SO cruel ? ]
shall never DO happy again. nsver--nev-
err
i Years have passed since then. aud Ma
| ~ with her hus band lie together unde'
the green sod Of the church. yard. Jean
neite has greyhairs mixed with the bligh,
brown Of her tresses. but she lives in ..