Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-27
Z" You won't be offended 2"
"Then, to tell the truth, owe little

excursion, and when he returned, he thought
some about beginning to cut off some of his
unnecessary expenses, but he introduced no
new system of operations. Two or three
times he did refrain from ndulging some pet,
ty appetite but he soon settled back into the
old track, and the small bits of money slip
ed away as fast as ever.
Three years had passed away since the
yonng cou pie were married, and few could
have wished for more social comfort than
they had enjoyed during the greater part o'
that time For month or two, however
the young man had been gradually growing
more sober and thoughtful, until he at length
had become really sad and down hearted
His wife had endeavored to cheer him up
though she was unable to learn the cause oil
his detection.
One evening, just before dusk, Linnie saw
two men pass her window and enter her
husbands shop. One of them she knew to
be the sheriff, and the circumstance troubled
her not a little. She waited half an hour
for her husband to come to supper, but he
did not appear, and her sufferings began to
be accute.-A thousand 'conjeclures fitted
through her mind, but they brought no con-
ISOLATION, aud at length she determined to go
to the shop door and see if she could not
overhear something Of what was passing
within, feeling that such course would at
least be pardonable.
Linnie stole out from her front door and
went towards the shop. She placed her
ear to the keyhole and listened, but she
could only hear an indstinct mum Of voices,
among which was that of her husband.
The latter was evidently suppIicating, for
his tones were earnest and impassioned'
Soon there was movement Of feet towards
the door, and Linnie hastened back to the
house. Ere long her husband entered. lie
looked pale and troubled, and with nervous
movement of the muscles Of his face, as
though he would have concealed the grief
that bore him down, he took his seat at the
table.
Poor Lnnie watched her companion with
an anxiety almost agonzing but she spoke
not word until alter Arson had set back
from the table. The food remained almost
untouched upon his plate when he moved
away, and he would have left the house had
not his wife stopped him.
Husband" she said, in soft, gentle
tone, at the same time laying her hand upon
his arm, aud gazing imploringly into his
face, "what is it that troubles you!"
Nothing, Linnie," half fretfulIy returned
he, and he made motion as if to remove
| b;c wirn's hand from his arm.
"There is something, Anson, | know
there is. Come do not keep it from me"
"There is nothing that you need know"
{" But wife need know all that can at
feet her husband thus. WHAT'S it. Anson g
alt is nothing but my own business and
vile need not know all that"
This answer was harsh, and tears gushed
to Linnie's eyes
"My dear husband" she said in tender
accents, "to whom, oh to whom should
you tell your sorrows, if not to her who
loves you better than life ITSELF"
Forgive me, forgive me, Linuie-I meant
not to wound your feelings. | am very
miserable, and | hardly know what said
"Then tell me all Come, sit down in
my easy chair, for your brow is hot and
teverish.
There now tell me.
After the young man had taken the prof
fered seat, he gazed for moment into the
face of his wife, and look of deep anguish
rested upon his features
"Linne," he said, may as well tell
you ALL but you must not chide me, nor must
you despond, for all is not as dark as might
be- am deeply in debt, and tomorrow
my shop, and all that it contains will be
advertised by the sheriff for sale"
"In debt" murmured the wife.
eyes During the last two years | have
been purchasing stock on credit, and paying
for it as it has been convenient. At first it
seemed an easy way of doing business, but
it has proved fatal for when | received the
pay for my goods forgot, or at least did not
sufficiently heed, that all that money was
not mine. l forgot that more than half of
all the money received belonged to the
men of whom had purchased stock. Two
notes fell due the day before yesterday, the
man to whom gave them sold them in the
way of business to Western firm, and now
they must be paid. Tomorrow an officer
will be placed at my shop, and nearl y every
thing will have to be sold 1t is not the loss
of my stock and tools that care so much
about, for have health and strength and
can earn more, but it is the disgrace of the
thing. TO think that should fall like this
me-a healthy, stout good mechanic"
"How much do you oye!" asked Linnie,
in trembling voice.
Both notes amount to four hundred
dollars"
"And haven't you any part of it?"
"Only about fifty dollars that [ can col
lect readily"
"And if those two notes were paid, you
would be safe g
eyes"
"Then thank God, you will not suffer p'
exclaimed Linne. And overcome by hel
feelings she sank upon her husbands neck
and burst into food of tears.
Linnie, Linnie," cried the young man
what do you mean Z"
"Wait a moment, my husband"
The wife brushed the tears from her cheek
as she spoke and left the room, and in te"
moments returned bearing in her hand 6
small book. There was bright smile upor
her face, and her husband looked upon he'
with utter astonishment.
"Here my husband" she said stepping te
his side, and placing the book in his hand
at the same time winding her arm about his