Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-05-07

Grange to keep called for twenty-five cent piece
nat mad been deposited 10 my Sub-Treasury for
@ie-Aeeplng- There was poor woman at the
uoor' sne said that she'd promised it to for eer-
'ain- "ei wait moment cried, 30 pash-
ed inquiries first in that direction then in the other
but vacancy returned horrid 'groan on NV soul .
/ so | thought it best to show a bold front: s.Ya,
must keep my pockets in better repair. Mrs. Slack
water; this piece, with know not how MANY more
is lost, because some corner or seam in nv pla0uv
pockets is left open" Are you sure," said Mrs.
Slackwater "Sure. ay. that l am, it is gone, to-
tally gone.' My wife dismissed her premise, and
then in quiet way asked me to change my panta-
looms before | went out, and to bar ell argument
laid another pair on my knees.
That evening. allow me 10 remark, gentlemen of
the specie husband | was very loath to go home
10 tea had half mind to bore some bachelor
friend; and when hunger and habit, in their unss-
samlng manner on each side, walked me up to nv
door, the touch of the brass knob made nv blood
run cold But do Dot think Mrs Slackwater is a
tartar, my good friends, because thus shrunk from
the house: the fact was, that had, while abroad.
called to mind the fate of her TWENTY-FIVE cent
piece, which had invested, as larger amounts are
often invested, in smoke-that is to say cigars; and
feared TO think Of her comments on nv pantaloons
pocket.
These things went on for some months-we were
poor to begin with. and grew poorer, or, at any
rate, no richer fast Times grew worse; my poek-
cts leaked worse; even my poeket-book was not to
be trusted. the rags slipped from it in a manner
most incredulous TO reate-and as an Irish song
says:
"Such was the fate Of poor Paddy O-MooTe
That his purse had the rents he mad the fewer
At length one day my wife came in with sub
scription paper for the Orphan Asylum; looked
at it, and sighed, and handed ii back to her
Med Bowen said she, has put down ten dol
lars"
The more shame to him. replied. 'he can't az
ford it; he can't but just scrape along any bow.
and in these times it amt right for him to do So
My wife smiled in her sad way aud took the paper
back TO him that brought IT,
The next evening she asked me il / would 20
with her and see the Bowens and as | had no OBJ
lection, We started .a...
/ knew that Ned Bowen did small business
that would give him about 5000 year, and 1
thought it would be worth while to see what that
sum would do in the way of housekeeping. We
were admitted by Ned, welcomed by Ned's wife,
a very neat little body. Of whom Mrs. Slaekwater
had told me q great deal. as they had been school
mates All was nice wax: and get as substan-
tautial as iron comfort written all over the
room. The evening passed. somehow or other,
though we had no refreshments an article which
we never have at home, but always want when
elsewhere and l retired to our own establishment
with mingled pleasure and chagrin.
What pity" said to my wife, that Bowen
don't keep within his income" He does" she re-
piled "Bnt how can he on SCOOP" was my an
swer, "if he gives sl0 to this charity and s. to
that, and lives snug. and comfortable too
Shall | tell you?" asked Mrs. 'SIackwater
/" Certainly, if you can
"His wife, said my wife "inds it Just as easy TO
90 without 80 or $50 worth of ribbons and Iaces,
as to buy them. They have fruits but what
hey raise and have given them by country friends,
whom they repay by thousand little acts Of kind
less. They use no beer, which is not essential to
lis health, a. it is to yours and then he buys no
igars or ice-creams or apples at 100 per cent on
market prices, or oranges at II cents a piece. or
andy; or new novels, or rare works that are still
more rarely used; in short, my dear Mr. slackwater
s has no hole IN has pocket"
1t was the first word of suspicion my wife had
Uttered the subject; and it cut me to the quickI
ut me. should rather say it sewed me up; me
nd my pockets too; they have never been in holes
ince that evening.