Squatter sovereign., 1855-05-01
Mliistellaneolls.
From the Star Spangled Banner.
7ARD TIMES.
Oh, THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.
CHAPTER /.


s'What makes you look SO dull this
morning, Ellenf' inquired Mr.. Chester, a
young merchant in small way, Of his
wife.
They had been married about a year,
and thus far not an ill-natured word had
been spoken by them. At his marriage,
Chester had taken small, but neat and
convenient house in the upper part of the
city. He had been able to furnish it only
In very plain manner; but since his mar
riage his business had added many arti-
cles of luxury to his establishment.
The times had begun to tighten up
however, and business was dull. The notes
were due, and he had to bestir himself to
make his payments. Fortunately for 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 contingent
cies of lawsuit, and which had now been
satisfactorily adjusted.
With this sum he had been able to pay
his more pressing demands, and to lay by
surplus of five hundred dollars to meet a
note which would fall due some two months
hence.
The receipt Of this sum had also indu-
ced him to increase the luxuries of his house.
The parlor had been newly furnished. and
the old parlor furniture placed in the Sit
ting room. They had everything that was
necessary for comfort, and for creditable
appearance in the world.
"You look very dull" continued the hus-
band, as he rose from the breakfast ta-
I bic.
Ellen looked up at him with a languid
smile, but made no reply.
"What ails you?'
81 was thinking how lonesome I should
be here alone all day. replied she.
Lonesome" Why don't you go out,
then, and take the air2 Walk down WASH
ington street, round the Comment will
revive your spirits
allow absurd you talk! Walk round the
Common, in The month of December! Why
l should freeze to deathr'
"Not so bad as that" replied the hus-
band, chucking his wife under the Chin
C to the Athenem, then, and see the pic
lures"
~ couldn't do that every day, and you
don't know how lonesome am!''
s.Can't you reads"
Il don't wont to read ali the time"
"Read part of the time then.''
"But Fred, l have been thinking of
something" and a smile played upon the
pretty lips of the young WIFE,"
"What, Ellen"
"I miss something IN our house.
"Do you2"
20, very much indeed
"Well, Ellen, what is it2"
ga piano. 1t would be so nice to prac-
tice these long dreary days. ] should be
as happy as princess if l only had a
piano"
Mrs. Chester's father was in aiiluent
circumstances. and before her marriage
she had been accustomed to many luxuries,
which her husbands limited means would
not permit him TO provide.
"But Ellen, / can't afford piaao. The
times have not been so hard before for ten
years"
|
'sYou have five hundred dollars in the
bank"
"But have reserved that to pay all
notes."
"Don't you expect to make enough to
pay its"
.'Itis very doubtful; my business hardly
pays expenses"
"You will be able to pay that, / know"
continued the eloquent petitioner.
"Well, well, my dear; youshan have the
piano."
"You are dear husband. You viii get
me one of Chickering'S"
amy kind you please. my DEAR
And before dinner time the instrument
came home. and Mrs. Chester was as hap
| py as piano could make her, albeit she
had little idea of the significance of sthree
per cent a month, and protested notes.
CHAPTER II.
Men said the times would be better, but
the prophecy was vain. Merchants failed,
brokers failed, banks and insurance com
panies failed. Blu. business was duller than