Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-11-21

an entrance in her heart. She thought
that he was raising up Afancy bids" of his
own, and that, If the truth was known the
person who made the bid, in opposition to
her, would have been very hard to find
But her pride was now aroused, and fully
determined on having it, she showed by
no outward signs she had any suspicious;
and as he again turned to hersayng,
Cor you?-one must advance, who shall
it be 2" she said,
q Eighteen /"
Eighteen have THE widows pray.
ers are yours eighteen--the orphans
praise YOU who said ninetecn?'
y sung out a shrill voice, sounding
like the notes of a penny whistle.
/ Twenty p thank YOU IgGl es. The poor
mans wife is even now Waiting for the
proceeds to feed her babes tweAtyg :"
Zone p cried Kate.
Twenty one! You arc treasure tc
your husband-you know how to spend
money with profit"
twenty-five is offered, and he rubbed
his hands with glee.
"Three |" sung out voice.
fsGood, noble soul-God bless you
Who says six? Shall I have it?"
In the excitement Of the moment Kate
forget her own bid. and fairly in for it
shouted, six p thus overbidding herself
"Twenty-six it is" and noticing the ex
citement Of the bidder, he thought it time
to close. Twenty twenty -six-toc
cheap must go twenty-six-going a
twenty-six, going, going, gone! Wha
name, Madam ?"
Cash, sir !" was Hates reply.
An excellent name scarce famil,
though"
Kate paid her bill: and as she drew
note after note out of their place Of sccu
rity, some. pangs of conscience preyet
upon her. but, curbing all such feelings
she parted with her friend, and by moor
reached home AS her husband entered
the room, he noticed that she looked ia
tigued. She wore, in fact, a dormant look
she felt sad, and knew that her purchase
must come to light.
As luck would have it, Frank cam,
home to dinner that day in capital hu
NOR He spoke so cheerfally, that aftel
dinner she took heart to tell him she hat
bought new carpet that is, one just a.
good as new, for her chamber.
=. q Ha, ha," laughed Frank, " | though
you meant to buy nothing"
Idid go with that resolve, but thi
was such bargain" and then Frank
ears were saluted with the whole histor,
of her auction experience-of her temp
tations and denials-of the bargains sh,
allowed to pass; and last Of all, of tn
great and astounding bargain she hersel
had purchased.
f +" Well, dear, let us see your great bar
gain, twas the only answer to her flow 0
words
Kate smiled and thought that when h
saw the carpet, the least Of all he coulC
| do, would be to admire its beauty, ant
wonder at its cheapness. In triumph, sh
led the way to the room, where her treas
Iure lay in all its glory "There are
few spots on it." she said, as they opened
the door, but on the whole I think =
Here she stopped, for whistle, low ant
steady, came from her husbands lips
She was astonished, amazed, thunder
struck.
Good: ha, ha, ha." broke forth Frank
Are you mad, deranged, or what?'
said she in a voice Of anger.
The tears were in the eyes Of Frank
as he laughed long and loud.
Forgive me" he said; 4" | can't helF
it. That ag-that old rag took W
two days ago from the store, and gave il
as present to our porter. 1t has beer
there for--O, Lord, | shall burst--for two
years"
+ Kate was taught lesson, and no more
longed for bargains and if ever in tht
'forgetfulness Of the moment, she expressed
"a wish to attend auction, where thing;
were positively given away" the sigh
of her last bargain, as it lay spread OF
the. floor was a silent monitor whose
voice was ever obeyed.