Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-02-22


homeward, thinking. as he walked
along. Of the beautiful vases. and Of
the pleasure they had given his wife.
He still had six dollars in his pocket.
Partially recovered from the depress-
ing effect of the blinkmaket's bill,
he began, once more, to feel a little
comfortable in money matters. Six
dollars made a very nice ltllc sum
and, as his eyes glanced into shop
windows as he moved along, he be-
gan to admit the templer once more
into his heart. A box Of building
blocks, just the thing for liule Eddy,
caught his eye as he passed the
Temple of Fancy and he couM
not resist the desire he felt to go in
and ask the prce.
'Oue dollar, said the ready sales
man.
A cheap pleasure thought Mr.
Jones, aud en- take them fell
from his bps.
With five dollars safely resting in
his purse, and a package of b4ilding-
blocks tor lttle Eddy in hts hands,
Mr.. Jones now pursued his way
homewards, clate with pleasure at
the thought Of how graufed his
wife would be with her pair of vas
es and how delighted Eddy would
be with his building blocks. Arrived
at home, his dead-lalch KEY turned
brskly IN the lock, and he entered
with light, almost springing footsteps
FIRST glanclng into the parlor 10 see
# the vases had arrived, he found
them adorning the marble manlel -
They really looked elegant, aud
threw an air of taste over the whole
apartment. A litle while he remain
ed, enjoying the sight, and then went
up To his wlle's sitting room.
Ms Jones received her husband
wuh her accustomed smile. though Il
was not as bright one as he had
expected to see illumine her cuunte-
nance.
What is this 2 she inquired, as
he laid the package he had brought
home Ia her lap.
Some bulding-blocks for Eddy.'
Dear lirlle fellow lie wall be
so delighted murnurcd Mrs Jones',
as she broke the string aud removed
the wrapper from the box.
Where is he:' inquired the IA
ther.
He's asleep
'Ohl How do you like your vas
esq Mr Jones spoke as # the vas
es had just come into his thoughts,
though, # the truth be told, they had
been uppermosl IN his mind since hls
step had passed the threshold of his
door
Th~y o-e "e-y hoantiful, Jacoh.
replied his wife, a. she looked up af-
fecllonalcly into her husbands fice
Yet were the words not uttered with
a hearlluess that satisfied his eXpec-
4auons Nor was he altogether sure
that II was not increased humidity
that gave to her eyes their unwonied
luslre.
Il knew they were Just what you
wanted, dear, SAID Mr.. Jones, in so
tender a VOICE that hls wife could not
give words 10 what was IN her heart.
More pain than pleasure had the
vases already given to Mrs. Jones
for she had yet too distinct remem-
brance of her husbands words in the
morning. when she asked him for
money to buy things needed in the
family, 10 feel comfn table in the
possession of what was merely orna-
mental.
'Thcy were only fourteen dollars
said Mr. Jones
Mrs. Jones did not respond.
And So cheap, continued the
husband, that | could not resist the
temptation to buy them.
If his ear did not deceive him,
faint sigh had brealhed through the
lips Of his wife, He looked earnest
ly at her, but her head was bent
down, aud he was not able to see
distinctly the EXPRESSION Of her face.
The thermometer Of Mr., Jones's
feelings began 10 fall. lie had an-
tlcipaIed a delighted enthusiasm on
the part el his wife, and was not,
therefore, satisfied with her quiet ex-
preston OF pleasure; aud the less so
when 1t was plainly evident that this
I pleased exterior was but veil TO
a more sober state ef mind,
Did you go TO Parker's this
morning 7 he inquired, changing the
subject.
Yes Mrs. Jones smiled as she
looked up.
You found him pleasant enough,
| presume 2
'Of course. He would have sold
half the goods in his store, ! believe
A very agreeable man.
Too agreeable for me, said Mrs
Jones. The fact is, have been on
the stool OF repentance ever since |
came home. | wanted only about
len dollars worth of dry goods but
when The articles selected arrived,
with the bill, 10, and behold my pur-
chases had reached the sum Of lwen-
~ SIX dollars =
These siorekeepers understand
their customers replied Mr.. Jones,
laughing.
Indeed they do. But | know
one thing if I'd been dealing for
cash Mr.. Parker's bill would not have