The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-01-24

"" h"'o oo "eI Jout Hca'I uPon IL, WY
suppose I must"
The young wife looked with rapture upon
the ten shining gold pieces.
"One hundred dollars" said she to her
self, show rich it makes me feel. 1t seems
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. III
buy one of the very finest and most beau
tiful Brussels"
Afternoon came; the rosy babe was laid
asleep i'll his cradle, and the little maid re-
ce'ved score Of charges to linger by its side
every moment till the darling woke up
Jeannette, flushed with eager anticipation,
looked her prettiest, and throwing her man
tilla over her handsome shoulders, she was
just hurrying away when a loud ring at the
door, brought out very pettisll "oh dear"
at the unexpected intrusion.
"Oh, Jeannette-dear Jeanette !" and a
pale young creature sat painting on the sofa,
"we are in such trouble-such a dreadful
trouble! Can you help us? DO you think
we could borrow a hundred dollars from
your husband9 Couldn't you get it for us,
Jeannette? You know you said 1 might
always rely upon you when trial came, and
poor Charles expects every moment to have
his little stock Of goods attached, and he is
so sicklyn'
"Dear, dear" said Jeannette, her great,
good heart suddenly contracting. edward
told Inc only this morning not to ask him
for any money for three months" and she
gathered her purse up tightly in her hand.
kerchief; SIN sure fl only could
oblige you, would; but expect Edward
is really pushed. You know he has just
commenced business. Can't you get it
elsewhere? Have you tried Z"
ayes" answered her friend, despondingly,
{" I've tried everywhere. People know that
Charles is sick, and cannot repay immedi-
atcly. Oh It secr1s 10 me some creditors
have such stony hearts, Mr.. j knows
just our circumstances, yet lie insists upon
that money. Oh! it is so hard it is so
hard r'
Her pitiful voice and the big tears run
ming like rain down her paid checks, al
most unnerved Jeanncttc's seIfishncss.
But that carpet-tlat 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 hus-
bands heart, and that he would urge her to
sclf-denial-no, she would not sec him-if
she did, 1t was all over with the carpet.
"Wcll," said her poor friend, in dcspon-
ding voice, rising to go, "I'm sorry you
can't help me; know you would if you
could, and it is something to know that
but I 60 back with 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
the sun streamed in on its wreathed flowers,
its colors of fawn, and blue, and crimson, its
soft velvety richness-and how proud felt
little Mrs. Jeanette at the lavish praises of
her neighbors. 1t was bargain, too; she
had saved ten dollars in its purchase, and
bought pair of elegant window shades
beautiful match for her beautiful carpet.
Il declare" said her husband, "this
looks like comfort; but it spoils all my
pleasure to think of poor Charley Somers.
The poor fellow is dead"
Jeannette gave real sharp scream, and
the flush faded from her face.
ayes! that rascuHy j for the pal
try sum of hundred dollars, he attached
everything in the little shop, and was so in
sulting besides, that Charles, springng up
angriIy in his bed, ruplured blood vessel,
and lived scarcely an hour afterward. You
know he has been weak and sickly this
great while"
"And Mary 2" issued from Jeannette's
bloodless lips.
"She has dead child and they tell me
her life is despaircd Of. Why on earth
didn't they send to mes l could easily
have spared the money for that purpose
If it had stripped me Of the last cent, they
should have had it. Poor felow-poor
Mary!"
"And Knight have saved it-aH!' Shrek
ed Jeanette, sinking upon her knees on the
rich carpet; "oh! Edward, will God ever
forgive me for my heartlessness3 Mary did
call ler:. and with tears begged me to aid
hcr-and IL had the whole sum in my
very hand-and coldly turned her away.
Oh! my God! forgive me! forgive ne!"
In the very agony Of grief, poor Jeanette
would receive no comfort. In vain her hus-
band strove to soothe her she would not
hear word in extenuation of her selfish
conduct.
1 shall never forget poor Mary's tears !;
I shall never forget her sad voice they will