Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-26
THE NEW CARPET.

can hardly spare IL, Jeanette but as
you have SO set your heart upon it, why sup
| pose l must
The young wife looked with RAPTURE upou
the ten shining gold pieces
One hundred dollars" said she to herself,
chow rich it makes me feel. 1t seems a great
| deal to pay for carpet, but gold is worth
gold the Old saying Is. and one good purchase
ls worth dozen poor ones. I'll buy one of
the very finest and most beautiful Brussels. -
Afternoon came; the rosy babe was laid
| asleep In his cradle, and the little maid re-
| celVed score OF charges to linger by its side
every moment till the darling woke up. jean
| nette, flushed with eager anticipation, looked
her prettlest and throwing her mantilla over
her handsome shoulders, she was lust hurryinp
away when a loud ring at the door brought
out very pettish "Oh dear ~ at the expected
intrusion
Oh, Jeannette,-dear Jeanette :" and 4
pale young creature sat painting on the sofa.
"Wc are in such a troubie-such dreadful
trouble Can yoa help us , Do you think we
could borrow hundred dollars from YOUR
husband Couldn't you get it for US, Jean
nette You know you said L might always
rely upon you when trial came, and poor
Charles expects every moment to have his lit
tie stock of goods attached, and he is so sick
lyn'
Dear, dear ~ said Jeanette, her great
good heart suddenly contracting! Edward
told me only this morning not to ask him for
any money for three months" and she gath
cred her purse up tightly in her handkerchief:
IN sure If-l-only-cOuld oblige you
would but l expect Edward is really pushed
You know ne has just commenced business
Can't you get 1T elsewhere? Have You tried3u
Yes, answered her friend, deSpondingly,
I've tried everywhere. People know that
Charles Is sick, and cannot repay Immediately.
fn
stony hearts! Mr.. j knows Just our cir
cumstances, yet he insists upon that money.
Oh 1t Is so hard it is so hard -
Her pltlful voice and the big tears running
like rain down her pallid cheeks almost un
nerved Jeanette s selfShness.
But that carpet-that beautiful CARPET she
had promised herself so long, and SO often
been disappointed Of its possession, that she
could not give it up. She knew her husbands
heart-and that he would urge her to self
denial-nO; she would not see him-if she
did 1T was all over with the carpet.
"WelI," said her poor friend, in despond-
Ing voice, rising to go, I'm sorry you can't
help me; know you would if you could, and
1t Is something to know that-but 90 back
with heavy heart. Good morning. dear
Jeannette hope you will never know what
1t is to want and suffer"
How handsome the new carpet looked as the
sunsstreamed in on its wreathed flowers, its
Its colors Of fawn, and blue, and crimson, its
soft velvety richness-and how proud felt lit
tie Mrs Jeannette at the lavish praises of her
nelghbors. 1t was a bargain, too she had
saved ten dollars in its purchase, and bought
pair OF elegant window shades-a beautiful
match for her beautiful CARPET
g declare" said her husband, % this looks
like comfort; bat it spOilS all my pleasure to
think of poor Charley SOmers. The poor fell
low is dead"
Jeannette gave a real sharp scream and
the Hush faded from her face
" Yes! that rGScakiy - For the nal
try sum of hundred dollars, he attached
every thing in the little shop, and was so in
sulting besides, that Charles, springing up
angrlly In his bed, ruptured blood-vessei,
and lived scarcely an hour afterward You
know he has been weak and sickly this great
while'
"And Mary?'' issued from Jeannette's
blOOdless lips.
"She has a dead child; and they tell me
herllife is despared Of. Why on earth didn't
they send to me? 1 could easily have shared
the money for that purpose. Fit had stripped
me Of the last cent, they should have had il.
Poor fellow-poor Mary ~
"And might have saved it-aHr' shriek-
ed Jeannette, sinking upon her knees on the
rich carpet; "oh! Edward, will God ever for
give Inc for my heartlessness? Mary did call
here, and with tears begged me to aid her
and IL had the whole sum in my very hand
and coldly yturned her away Oh my God
forgive me; forgive me-"
In the very agony Of grief, poor Jeanette
would receive no comfort. In vain her hus