Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-04-13

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tor called in with project for sending out certain
desirable articles to California.
ssThe investment of capital will be small,' he
urged in reply to some doubts suggested by Mark
ham, and the realization of enormous profits al
most certain. Why for the one hundred dollars
which is all | ask you to venture, you will surely
receive one thousand at the most moderate calcu-
laton.
s'True enough, Mason,'' was the reply; 'but the
fact is, there certain ugly little debts due just
now, and it is rather difficult to raise the money!
e'Pshaw Let the debts wait for the present.
People must not expect US to cash up these days.
Money is too useful Come, count out your two
hundred dollars and my word for it, you will have
no cause for regret that you have jonedin the en-
terprise."
Thus urged, Markham yielded though with a
somewhat uneom Portable recollection that he had
promised his wife that amount to discharge GER
tain family bills which had been long DUE and
that he should now be obliged to disappoint her.
1t was the knowledge of this, perhaps, which
clouded his brow, he took his seat at the table
on his return to dinner, and his manner was more
distracted than usual as he listened to the re-
marks of his wife and the playful prattle of his
children.
1t was not until he again prepared to leave the
house that his wife reminded him of the promise
"Did you bring the money for nurse and Brd-
get1" she asked
81 did not, Alice. It is quite impossible for me
to pay them just now without great inconvenience.
Cannot they waita little! They have comfortable
homes, and if they need clothing, I will give them
and order on Marshall and Clark, where we pur-
chase dry goods for own use.
II thought explained to you, Philip that this
would not answer. Bridget has an aged mother
to support, and needs her money, which has too
long been due; and as for nurse, am exceeding
ly dissatisfied with her habits, and am anxions to
get rid her as possible. | have every
reason to believe that she is decidedly intemper-
ate, and am hot willing to trust the children to
her care'' ,--
5 ssThen she has not asked for her money!''
s'She has not, but am very desirous to give it
to her. Of course I cannot dismiss her until she
is paid:
'.Keep her little longer, then, Alice. It wo'd
be very nconvepentt to pay her just at this time.
You can keep a strict watch oyer her movements. .
And as for Bridget, try to put her off wieh FIVE or
ten dollars for the present.
Mrs. Markham sighed deeply. Her husband
had promised faithfully that the money should be
in readiness for her, and her disappointment was
extreme.
''Iow comes it, Philip" she said III somo-
what reproachfu tone, 'sthat now we are getting
rich, as you say it is more difficult to pay our
just debts than it was formerly, when we had
barely enough money to supply our wants!''
ssFor very simple reason, Alice. AS my cap
ital increases my business becomes more extend
ed and I need every cent that I can raise. If
paid every trifling debt at the moment that it
was due, all my speculations would be at an
end.''
'sBut is it right to speculate with borrowed
money!" queried the wife, half doubtfully.
Borrowed money, Alice! I have borrowed
from no one"
s'No, not exactly borrowed was the smiling
reply, ssfor you appropriate without leave |
mean, is it quite right to speculate with money
which you owe to others!.'
- w omen KNOW uOtnHS vi
ed Markham, in a very conclusive manner
"You had better rest satisfied with the result Of
my speculations, Alice, and not trouble yourself
about the means But must hasten to my office.
| will pay them before many weeks"
"Many weeks!" repeated Mrs. Markham, as he
closed the door. 'sPoor Bridget will be so sadly
disappointed And my dear little Willie, must
be still be exposed to improper treatment from
her entirely, but that would excite her anger, and
she would demand her wages at once. In what
complete thraldom am l held by this continual
want of ready money! This very morning lost
an excellent opportunity of purchasing the dry
Goods which we shall need for winter at an ex-
ceedngy low rate, and of excellent quality,
merely because am obliged to buy at one shop
where long credit is given. I wish Phillip would
make rule to pay cash for everything"
This solioquy would undoubtedly have aroused
Mr. Markham's indignation could he have heard
it, but he was now for on his way to the Office,
with his mind filledwth dim visions of brilliant
results to certain land speculations; and all
: thoughts of unpaid debts had vanished from his
memory.
| Inc dlsagreeaDle SUBJECT was Ioo sPeeuiiy io-
called, however, by bow of recognition from a
gentleman passing, and hand laid on his arm
as if to arrest his progress.
ssGlad to see you, Mr. Markham I called at
your office, but found you missing. I came into
town to settle accounts with you to-day"
"The time is not up, surely was the some
what startled reply.
g Exactly; as you will find by consulting your
books I am much in need of the money!
..And have none to give you, Mr.. Aiken