The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-01-24
SELECT TALES.
From the Star Spangled Banner.
HARD TINES;
OR,
THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE.
CHAPTER |.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.

"What makes you so dull this morn
ing, Ellen9" inquired Mr.. Chester, a
young merchant in a small way, of his
wife.
They had been married about year,
and thus far not cloud had lowered over
their house, not an illnatured word had
been spoken by either, and they were
as happy as love and plenty could make
them. At his marriage, Chester had Ia.
ken small, but neal and convenient
house in the upper part of the city. lie
had been able to furnish it only in very
plain manner; but since his marriage his
business had been so prosperous that he
had added many articles of luxury to his
establishment.
The "times" had begun to tighten up,
however, and business was dull. The
notes We're due, and he had to bester him
self to make his payments. Fortunately
Tor him, however, as the stringency in the
money market began to weigh the most
heavily, his fathers administrator placed
him in possession of two thousand dollars
which had been reserved to await the con-
tingencics Of lawsuit, and which had
now been satisfactorily adjusted.
With this sum he had been able to pay
off his more pressing demands, and to lay
b. a surplus Of five hundred dollars to
meet note which would fall due some
two months hence.
The receipt of this sum had also Undue
ed him to increase the luxuries of his
house. The parlor had been ne .'ly fun
ished, and the old paror furniture had
been transferred to the sttngroom. They
had everything that was necessary for
comfort, and for crcditable appearance
IN the world
"S nu Look wy i--u," ---,.:---i Al
husband, as he rose from the breakfast
table.
Ellen looked up at him with languid
smile but made no reply. ......
"What ails youl"
Il Sas thinking how lonesome should
be, here alone all day" replied she.
Lonesome! Why don't you go out,
then, and take the airl Walk down
Washington street, round the Common
it will revive your spirits"
"IIow absurd you talk! Walk round
the Common in the month Of December !!
Why, should freeze to death ~
Not so bad As that" replied the young
husband, chucking his wife under the chir.
"Go to the Atheneum, then, and see the
pictures"
II couldn't do that every day; and
you don't know how lonesome am"
Cant you read 7"
Il don't want to read all the time"
"Read part Of the time, then | brought
Ruth Hall home last night; have you
read itp
mo, don't like it very well. 1t is
nothing but the mos disgusting person
aIities, coarse. vulgar filings; I am afraid
if | real it | should become like
"Bah your judgment is hasty."
But Fred, | have been thinking Of
something" and q smile played upon the
pretty l'ps of the young wife.
"What, EIlenl"
Il miss something in our house."
ADO youl"
30, very much indeed"
"Well, Ellen, what is it?"
"a piano. 1t would be so nice to prac-
tce these long dreary days. should DO
ss happy AS a princess if only had
piano"
Mrs. Chester's father was in affluent
circumstances, and before her marriage
she had been accustomed TO many luxu-
ries, which her husbands limited means
would not permit hi.n to provide.
But Ellen, cannot buy piano. The
times have not been so hard before for ten
years"
You have FIVE hundred dollars in the
bank"
"Bu, l have reserved that to pay
note"
"Don't you expect to make enough to
pay itl"
"It is very doubtful my business hard
y pays expenses"
"You will be able 10 pay that. Il know"
continued the eloquent petitioner
swell, well, my dear, you shall have
the piano"
"You are dear husband You will
get me one of Chickering's r.
"Any kind you please, my dear"
And before dinner time the instrument
came home, and Mrs. Chester was as hap
py rs n piano could make her, albeit she
had little idea Of the significance Of athree
per month";" and protested notes.
CHAPTER ii.
Men sail the times woul.l he halter I'M,