Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-02-08
81 6aoo Sturll.
From Arthur's Nsms Massfine.
CASH DOWN.

bled in his hand piece Of paper which he
had Just taken from an envelope; or, he
added, in a lower voice, that had great
deal Of it than has, thus far in life. fallen
to my lot
What have you there? inquired the
wife of Mr.. Jones, looking up from her
work, and speaking in subducd voice.
'Parker's bill, answered the husband.
All How much is it :?
Seventy dollars'
No" Mrs. Jones gave start ss she
made the ejaculation, while a slight pale
ness overspread her face.
Its too true; though didn't dream Of
its being over thirty or forty. But run
ming accounts always make long journeys
! in short time All, me. Money-mon.
ey-money! 1t is the bane Of my life
Money or credit, jacob Mrs. Jones
looked up .imidly as she said this, and in
evident doubt as to the effect of her ques-
ton; for Mr. jones was one Of your sem
sitive, self-willcd men, who can never bear
to be thought in the wrong.
The question was so pertinent and time
i ly, that it reached home. And it came so
unexpectedly that Mr.. Jones hardly knew
whether to be yexed, angry, amused, or
convicted Of error. The reader will better
understand the case after brief retrospec-
ton
The income of Mr.. Jones was not large
vet sufficient for the comfortable support
of his family. if he had not been afflicted
with singular mental malady, which show
ed itself IN a strange aversion to paying
cash for anything-that is, anything use
full. Mrs, Jones, on the contrary, had u
particular horror Of running up accounts
If she lacked the means Of buying any
needed article, she preferred doing without
i, allogc,hef to purchasing on credit. Mr.
Jones liked to have money in his pocket.
l, made him feel uncomfortably poor If his
purse was empty.
But, unfortunately he was man OF many
wants, and, we fear, with little vein OF
coye,ousness in his heart, for to look upon
an attractive thing was Instantly followed
By desire to possess it. This being so,
it is no, strange that the money carried in
his poke. wa, ever diminishing, and that
he could no, always tell what had become
of it.
Il am going ou, this morning said Mrs.
Jones, abou, six months previous to the
time our story commences, and wish you
| would 10, me have ten dollars
Ten dollars Mr.. Jones shrugged his
shoulders. 'Wha, are you going 10 buy 2
Il want piece Of muslin, for one thing,
and
oh. we'll, Mary, can arrange all that
for you, easily enough. Ihaynt,he mon.
ey to spare, this morning; but III stop in
a, Parker's as 60 down, and tell him to
lie. you have whatever you want. You'll
find him a very pleasant man TO deal with.
and glad to &c. our custom
4, dom, matter, particularly, to-day,
said Mrs. Jones, her countenance falling,
and her voice becoming li,,l husky;1
can wait until tomorrow
But, I'm not SO sure tha, I'll have the
money to spare tomorrow. Business Is
dull, ana4-Aavo considerable to pay abou,
these times. No-Id rather you'd got
what you want a, Parker's
Mrs. Jones never opposed her husband
very strongly in anything. She felt acute
ly, and had her own clear views in regard
10 what was useful and proper; but her dis.
position was yielding-a little to much 50
i, may be admitted.
Very we'll, she answered, almost meek.
Ily, If you desire it, l will get wha, l wan,
at Parkers
Mr.. Jones was relieved by this expedi'
en,, and his money remained in his pocket
!, reserved for some stronger appeal. l,ney'
or for momen, occurred TO him that he
was requiring his independent, sensitive
minded wife TO submit, to something like
humiliation in going to q s,ore-keeper and
, requec.ing him to charge the goods she
bought.
You'd better get all you want, Mary,
he said, in light, cheerful way, as he was
leaving the house; The bill won't come in
until the end Of the year
Mr.. Jones had nearly twice the sum In
bis purse ,ha, his wife had asked for, and
the fact ,ha, it was still in his possession
, gave him q comfortable feeling Of ease il
money matters. On his way 10 his plac'
of business, pair of china vases cap'iva
ted his fancy, and, on the impulse Of ,h'