The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-10-19
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 49, 1855.

over, and Mr.. Dexter was no, long in select
ing one Of which he thought promised well.
So sure were they Of favorable results, that
they concluded II would be foolish 10 wait
for the actual realization Of the wealth that
was almost within their reach, and so al
once drew upon a visionary capital. To
their surprise, happines, refused 10 come,
despite their golden bidding. From their
splendid entertainments they retired more
weary than before, from their softer beds
arose more lansuid and lis,less, and in their
dazzling coach rode with no more ease and
comfort than formerly; the French cooks
failed 10 suit their appelites, and merchants
and milliners were alike unsuccessful in
lhei attempts 10 meet their wishes. Al
ihe.end oi year Of most extfavagant dissi-
lpa,ion there came crash in the affairs OF
Mr.. Dexter. From heedlessness or mis-
management, or both. the late venture prov
ed an utter failure, and dragged after ], TO
ruin cooks, coaches, and all.
What can be dOne!' said Mr.. and Mrs.
Dexter. And, Of course, the conclusion
was anything but coming down. Truth
I must be smo,hered and credit KEEP, good
So thousands were borrowed, and sent
searching after the lost thousands, and for a
while the Dexiers moved in splendor and
saieiy, and were 10 outward appearances
greatly 10 be envied but in their hearts
they felt very much as IL standing on dry
boards that for moment suppressed the
fire' OF an earthquake.
what shall we do = said both Mr.. and
Mrs Dexter, when no money can be bor-
row.d. They did moi know; they only
felt anything, anything but coming down.
Wha would their fashionable friends say
and low they would be avoided that was
what they dreaded more than any privalion
they would have 10 endure.
They could devise no plan Of action but
in Their effort 10 keep up little longer,
there came season Of dodsing and hiding
Of promising and pos'ponng, Of evasions
and oialmos, secret starvation. They grew
thin aad harggard their fno clothes look
ed lik. fine rags, or nearly SO, and the pinch
of penury showed SO plainly in their faces
that any further attempt at concealmeni was
hopeless.
Poor Mrs. Dexter looked like little
white paper woman, with kind Of smile
painted on her lips, for you nigh, see plain
y enough i, did not spring from her heart,
and !, seemed that breath Of wind would
drift her away as easily as the frOlh from a
milk pail.
Half n dozen scan,ily fed fires were turn-
ing in The house, when Mrs. Dexter seated
herself by one Of them in mute and hope
less despair. Night fell, and the heavy
curtains made il doubly night, within The
room. The door opened steadily, and her
husband like a snow drif, still and cold
came TO her side.
My dear wife, he said, presently, Il
would no: mind this terrible calamity bu,
for you.' His voice fallered, and he put his
arm about her neck with a tenderness Of
manner that she was not at all used TO,
though he had always been kind and in
dulgcnt. Her hear, had never stirred as Il
then did when she heard him say Here is
a thousand dollars, my dear There ac-
tualy came faint color 10 her cheek, and
a real smile to the lip where the false one
had been so long. The happiness Of that
momen, was worth all the lost fortune
My good, noble husband she said, you
must not suffer on my account. am equal
10 my fortune so long as you love me, and
the hands she laid on his forehead were
like plcasan, healing dew, and her kiss on
his cheek made him richer than he had
ever been.
The shell OF fortune in which they had
been living was broken, and they saw for
the frs, time, ,ha, there was great world
outside Of II. The anticipated misery Of
coming down lessened wonderfully when
they stood up and faced il.
All the fine furniture was sold, the French
cooks dismissed, dressing-maids and cham
ber.maids were sent away. Mrs. Dexter
herself took charge Of the baby, and half
the house was let. One servant and a
small carriage were all the luxuries they
reserved for themselves.
All day after the coming down, MIR.
Dexter KEEP, out Of his house; he could no,
bear TO see his wife deprived Of the eleyan.
ces to which she had been used he could
no. bear 10 see her ,ears-lo hear, perhaps
her reproaches.
With slow and heavy step he approach.
ed his home, like him who
| Lingering raised his latch at eve,
Though tired in bea II and limb;
Who loved no other place, and yet
Home was no home to him."
Twoor three times he passed and repass-
cd his own door without courage 10 enter
bu, seeing one Of his former friends up.
preaching, he chose the leas, Of two evils
and wen, ia. Along The dark hall and up
the stairs he CROPPED his way; opened the
door Of his wiie's chamber, approached the
bed, and parting The curtains, passed his
hand softly along il, for he expected to find
his wife i'll and weeping; he had found he'
so many time, in consequences Of the fail
ing ofa new dress or mol TO come home al
the appointed hour. She was not there,
however, and hall afraid ,ha, she had gone
home 10 ner mother, he descended 10 a lit
tie back room which was now parlor, sitting
room and all. Feeling for the lalch OF The