Litchfield enquirer., 1855-02-01


and calico gown TO meeting; but now,
they had to rig out in silks and satins, with
fiounces and furbelows, and all sorts of rigz
ging attached to them, for all the world just
like clown in the circus Such were Mr..
Waxwell's views of the social influence OF
the railroad.
Society began to be little "select,"
folks put on airs, and were so stuck up that
YOU could not touch them with ten foot
pole.
Farmer MAXWELL did not much like this
state of things-it cost money on the one
hand, and he did not like to be thrown in
the shade on the other. He was about the
richest man in the place, but ton dollar hnn-
nets and thirty dollar cloaks were abomina-
tons that he could not tolerate. Mrs. Wax
well did not like to be outdone in the mat
ter of dress and when she bought new me-
rino cloak, the previous season, she had not
doubt but it would be unsurpassed for two
seasons at least When Mrs. Burton came
out with the thirty dollar velvet, she found
the wind was taken on. Of her sail, and she
was as indignant as the case deman ded.
In the rise and progress of the village
since the advent of the railroad, two new
stores had gone into operation, one Of which
was conducted by Mr.. Burton, an en,erpri-
sing young man from the metropolis, who
had brought city wife and great many
city notions into the place with him.
AS with great many who go from the
city to the country. he was exceedingly an
noyed by the dsinterestrd charitable atten-
ton to other peoples business, which so
extensively prevails in many rural districts.
He kept his affairs to himself, and this both
cred and perplexed the gossips. His wife
had way OF attending TO her own concerns
she had been brought up where people do
not even know their next door neighbour
If she wanted a new dress, or new bon
net, she never deemed it necessary to con-
suit the neighbors in regard to her ability
to afford it, or about the style and material.
Poor Mrs. Maxwell! her star began to
decline when Mrs Burton came in the WILL
age. She was no longer the leader Of the
tan, and her heart was bursting with envy.
Though she often received the kind Offices
of the store-keeper's wila, both in sickness
and in health, she wou'd willingly have
crushed her. That new cloak was the cap
sheaf O! the indignites which she fancied
had been heaped upon her, and she determ-
ined that her unconscious rival should suf-
fer the consequences Of her ,emerity.
Her first demonstration was upon her hus-
band, whom she found no difficulty in con-
vincing that Mr. Burton must be ruined by
the extravaganza ofhis vile, and that unless
he Immediately collected his debt, he would
certainly lose it.
AS soon as she had done her washing on
Monday, she made some calls and embraced
the opportunity Of commenting freely upon
that new cloak. The women told their nus
bands that Mr.. Burton would certainly fail;
and before three days had elapsed, there was
quite ferment in the place.
Nobody knew anything about Mr.. Dur
tons affairs, he seemed to be doing a good
business, though no one knew of MS having
any money. He did not even own the
house in which he lived-he had no proper
ty apparently, but his stock. The careful
old farmer, to whom in the course of trade
he had become indebted for produce which
he sent to Boston, began to be alarmed by
these rumors.
1t was in the State Of New Hampshire;
aud at thr .'."s Of which write, that grab
law was in force, and i, s,il for auoht
know.
One evening, as Mr.. Burton returned from
a journey to a ncighboring town, he found
his stock attached on the claim Of Farmer
Waxwell--and all on account of that new
cloak his wife had worn to meeting on the
preceding Sunday. He had no, the means
TO pay the note at that moment, and while
he was considering plan to extrlcate HIM
self from the dilemma, the news that his
goods had been attached, spread all over the
place. All the creditors were in hot haste
| to follow the track Of Farmer MAXWELL
| for it was first come, first servcd'-and in
! less than two hours dozen had fastened
upon the stock of the store.
| This was tremendous result to follow
in The train of a thirty dollar cloak and
gossipping old woman.
"What do you think now, Miss Vincy!"
asked Mrs. Maxwell, as they met, soon af-
ter the storekeeper's disaster had been made
public.
Al hope Mr.. Burton will be able TO pay
his debts"
But he WON'T know he Won't"
Probably If they had given him any no.
tice Of their intention to iemaul the pay
ment Of their claims, he would have been
prepared TO meet them"
~ guess Mrs: Burton will not feel so
stuck up after this"
IL hope you have done nothing to bring
! about this sad result"
"But have-l made my husband sue
his note, and when he put on, the others did.
Thirty dollar cloak, indeed ~
81 am sorry you have done this-you may
ruin Mr.. Burton by it,"
"That is Just what mean to dor and
Mrs. Waxweli's malignant expression be-
trayed the jealousy she had so long harbored
You did. |, was very nnkind and I'M
grateful in you to do so,' replied Miss Vi
ney, Indignantly.
Humph."
"Any trader would be likely to come out
badly TO have all his creditors pounce upon
him without giving him chance to collect
his debts"
81 don't believe he has any to collect"
/ Even your husband, as well off as he
Is, might be embarrassed il suddenly called
upon to pay his Debts" and Miss Whey
looked significantly ather angry companion.
81 doub, IT,.
I" He may have a trial" said the maiden