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

can hardly spare it, Jeanette but as
you have 80 set your heart upon it, why / sup
pose must
The young wife looked with rapture upon
the ten shining gold pieces
80 One hundred dollars" said she to herself,
how rich it makes me feel. 1t seems a great
deal to pay for a carpet, but gold is worth
gold the old saying is. and one good purchase
is 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 prettiest, and throwing her mantilla over
her handsome shoulders, she was Just hurrying
away when loud ring at the door brought
out very pcttish sob dear !" at the expected
intrusion
ooh, Jeanette dear Jeanette, - and
pale young. creature sat painting on the sofa,
We are In such a trouble-such a dreadful
trouble Can you help US Do you think we
could borrow a 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 Der purse up tightly in ner handkerchief:
" L IN sure if-l-only-could oblige you l
would but expect Edward is really pushed
You know he has just commenced business.
Can't you get it elsewhere? Have you tried1"
Yes, answered her friend, despondingly,
I've tried everywhere. People know that
Charles is sick, and cannot repay Immediately
Oh it seems to me some creditors have such
stony hearts Mr.. j knows just our cir
cumstances, yet he insists upon that money.
Oh it is so hard it is so hard -
Her pitiful voice and the big tears running
like rain down her pallid cheeks almost un.
nerved Jeanette 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 husband s
| heart-and that he would urge her TO self
denlal-no; she would not see him-if she
did il was all over with the carpet
"Well," said her poor friend, in q 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 go back
with a heavy heart. Good morning, dear
Jeanette; hope you will never know what
it is to want and suffer"
How handsome the new carpet looked as tho
sum streamed 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. Jeanette at the lavish praises of her
| neighbors. It 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
Jeanette gave a real sharp scream. and
the flush faded from her face.
eyes. that rascaLiy J.! For the pal
try sum of a hundred dollars, he attached
every thing in the little shop, and was so in
sulting besides, that Charles, springing up
angrily in his bed, ruptured a blood-vessel,
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 q dead child; and they tell me
her,life is despared of. Why on earth didn't
they send to me? L could easily have spared
the money for that purpose. Ifit had stripped
me of the last cent, they should have had it.
Poor fellow-poor Mary !" I'D
"And might have saved it aHr' shrek
ed Jeanette, sinking upon her knees on the
rich carpet; sob, Edward, will God ever for
give me for my heartlessness? Mary did call
here, and with tears begged me to aid her
and II had the whole sum in my very hand
and coldIy turned her away. Oh. my God
forgive me; forgive me. .Fa
In the very agony of grief, poor Jeanette
would receive no comfort. In vain her hus.