The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-08-04
MIS- ELL A N EOUS,
THE YOUNG MERCHANTS ORDEAL;
OR, GOVERNMENT VS.. PLENTY.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

ARTHUR said Mrs. Leeman, addressin.
her husband, 1T seems to me that Mr.. Sharp
ing is going ahead of you in business
'Ah,' uttered the young man, looking VI
from his paper.
'Yes,' continued the wife. He has jus
moved into his large new house, and | ex
pect we shall be invited to the opening party
Really, really wish you could do the same I.
'And are you not contented here, Sarah!
disappointment in his tone.
20, yes, 1 am contented; bu. then should
like 10 have you look as well, that is, appear
as well as William Sharping does. You aro
as well acquainted in the town, and you are
as generally respected. Your store is as well
situated, and you seem to possess all the ad-
sRAtsges you could wish. riSh you could
keep up with Sharping.
Arthur Leemsn was yourg merchant To-
Gated in large and hourishing village, where
he had beenin business nearly two years.
He had been brought up by vrtuous parents,
and his ideas of justice and honesty founded
upon deer and moral principle. Shortly be-
fore he entered business for himself he mar
red beautiful girl whom he had long and
ardently loved, and who had, in return recip-
rocated that love. He had recei, ed from her
two Thousand dollars, which sum had gone
a great way towards purchasing his stock in
trade. He had rented a small cottage--a
neat, retired abode--and here he settled down
in house of his own, aud with every pros
pect of continued happiness; and this happi-
ness he had right to expect for is young
wife was mild and gentle, loving and true,
and ever regardrul of his welfare. His en-
penses he carefully kept behind his income,
and as might be expected he made but little
domestic Show. His comforts were all solid,
BASED upon the single idea of CONTENT.
William Sharping also kept store in the
village. He had commenced about the same
time Il at Arthur did, bat he seemed to have
more money, for he spent much in his ll'irg,
and as has already been minated, he was
upon the point of making a still greater show
of accommodating wealth. Sharpings wife
was an intimate friend oI Sarah Lecman, aud
hence the latter felt more scnsibIy the con-
trast between her own and her nelShOor's
outward circumstances.
I'm a few evenings William Sharping open
I'd his new house for the reception of visitors,
and of course Arthur ami Sarah were invited.
AI.Lnr Leelnau was wonder-struck by the ap-
pearence of his friends domestic equipments.
The furniture was rich and costly, and the
carpets were { II of the finest material. Large
mirrors hung upou his walls, golden lamps
adorne d the marble mantle, and sumptuous
ottomans and sofas offered their temptations
20 the weary.
sWhat a splendid house they have got,
havn't thew remarked ore Of their guests to
Sarah LeelNan.
.Yes,' returned Sarah; and as she spoke
she thought her interlocutor was drawing
comp arison between her own and Mrs Sharp
ing's domestic establishment.
Sarah heard, on all hanGs, praises 81 the
things about her, and she wondered why her
own husband could not do all this as well as
Mr.. Sharpng. She let the evil spirit OF envy
into her bosom before she was aware OF it
and from that oment she became unhappy.
She took no more pleasure in viewing the
costly articles about her, and at an early hour
took her husband away from the company
and begged him to go home. When she
reached her own snug, neat little sitting room,
she forgot all the happiness she had enjoyed
there. She oEly thought Of the contrast be-
tween that and NJ, S. Sharping's superb par
lors.
sI'm sure don't see why we may net make
as good an appearance ss Sharplpg'' she
murmured, after her husband had become
seated.
Il can hardly afford it now, Sarah,' return
ed Arthur.
But why not, as well as William Sharp
ing'
Because Sharping as more money. He
makes more thtn do
Il don't sec how he can do that. He must
have sons secrst in trade that you DO
not possess. q, ! wish we could keep up
with thsm People will see that SharPng Is
tie mos, prosperous and they will think h'm
more of a business man than you are; an" II
he once takes the lead in trade he VIII be
sure, not only to keep it, but also to gain on
his competitors. You know how people like
TO trade at hourishing places
Arthur Leeman began 20 think there was
soyle force in his wiie'S arguments. He, too
F,eeaa to loose sight of the sweet CONTENT
1hebad been for two gears enjoying, and IN
ybe stead thereof he was looking upon Whist
,be world calls PLENTY. He might at first
have argued more with his wife, but he re-
xnembered that it was her money that helped
materially to set him in business and he fear
ed to touch a cord That might vibrate on that
poipt. He did not fully know the real char
octer of his wife,-he did not know holy and
nure was the soil in her soul that had given
life TO few noxious weeds. Had he fully
known that the present envy was but an ex-
otic, lust springing into life by thoughtless
trapsplanting, he might have sought more
earnestly to pluck it out; tut he gave heed
TO her words, and his own soul became the
abode Of discomfort.
Re(ore Arthur Leeman retired that night
/. ,old his wife that he would exert himself
to outstrip his neighbor.
A few evenings after that, as Arthur was
.,nrninp home from mis- business, he had oc
.ssiou to pass his neighbor's store, and as he
saw a light cleaning through the chnks il
o"" ha thouuht he would enter