The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-13
CHAP. III.
The Merchant and his Wife.

The Merchant and his Wife.
The wealthy merchant was seated in the cor
ner of his snug sofa, tanning with easy noncha
lance his full, round features, flushed by the la
bors Of the day, with his silken pocket handker
chief. His wife, attired in a tasteful morning
gown, sat in the other corner, meditating upon
| the bitterness Of a little cup Of medicine which
| she was about to swallow.
~ don't think you'll find that very palata
ble,' said the gentleman.
"Bah! it is detestable," replied the lady.
"What do you think of the Professor, my
love ?" inquired her husband.
"Think of him! That he is gruff old bear
He does not understand good manners. Shall
| speak plainly to your"
"Why not, my dear? Speak out freely, dear
Brigitea Marie"
"Well, then, my dear Widen, l cannot help
fearing that you are greatly mistaken. 1 real
ly do not believe that he will give the young
couple q pin. l told you all along that you
were pushing forward the matter too hastily.
In the first place, you ought to have heard the
Professors sentiments. Then you should have
settled clearly with him, how much he intend
ed to give his nephew, should he marry our
Rosa. In that case, we should have known
where we stood, before we had gone as far as
betrothal[at least, public betrothal."
Excuse me, my DEAR" said Widen emphat-
lcally; but you ladies do not understand these
things. If you wish to draw out such men as
Professor Ling, you must treat them with pre-.
tended, if not real, frankness. l am certain
that he will visit my Office this very day, and
request to make a proposal which he has already
prepared
"Ah, we shall see," said his wife, with an in
credulous smile, (which of us has Judged most
correctly in this matter. / am certain for my
part, that he will not come; and more, that he
will not give one stiper to forward the wedding
and, my dear husband, you may just as well
make up your mind to it, first as last. Thank
God, you are well able to give your daughter q
dowry sufficiently large to make the Professors
help a matter of no necessity. When he dies,
the children will inherit all his property. So,
why need we trouble ourselves about it now?
"You do not understand, my DEAR" answer
ed the merchant. At this very moment,
stand in need of a wealthy son-in-law; for-for-
in short, it is necessary"
"Why so?" inquired his wife, with an ex-
preston of surprise. "They can occupy the
first floor of our house in South street. Then
the Captains pay, and the interest on Rosa's
dowry, are enough to support them in good
style"
ayes, they could" said Widen, in low
tone "but they cannot live upon the interest
of the small sum which / can in reality give to
poor Rosa as her dowry."
"Ah! my dear husband, how you frighten
me! You make me quite nervous. What has
caused you to have such dismal thoughts?"
( "The very apparent possibility that perhaps
two months will place me in position in which
I shall be unable to give Rosa anything" The
merchant sank back against the sofa cushions,
thoughtfully drawing his hand across his fore,
head which was now Swallowed with porten-
tous cloud. His wife was silent. She did not
understand him. She feared to understand
him.
"Can you then credit, Rrigitta Marie" con-
tinued her husband, "that /, who have refused
so many advantageous offers for our daughter,
would have accepted this less brilliant one, had
not felt aware of the necessity of settling her,
as long as had it in my power to do anything
for her, in which candidly confess I reckoned
upon the Professors aid Should this fail me-
it will be better to stop the affair before it is
too late for the Captain is as poor as church
mouse, and over head and ears in debt, be-
Sides"
"But in Heavens name, my dear Widen,
what is all this? Can things be so bad, or do
you only wish to try my frmness
{ "Both, my love-" he replied, with a smile,
half testing, half earnest. If not quite so bad
as have said, still it is not impossible that it
may be with me as with many others. The
fear has been hard one-I have had serious
Lao nd
any funds are at very low ebb. However,
>aings may change; and the most complete
iecrecy regarding what have conGded to you
= absolutely indispensable. Let no word of
conversation which / have held with my wife
n an hour of confidence because knew that
her penetration would find ways to keep all in
iuisitive persons in the dark, and that her
strength of mind would not give way, if put to