Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-08

contented to see everybody else getting up
and me be obliged to dig and burrow here p
But who is getting up, Hannah ?"
Who +! Why-there's Sarah Brown that
was-now Sarah Wilkins just look at her
She was where was once, but now she has
her coach and servants, and dresses i'm silks
and satin. And then look at Thompson, and
Cowley, and Nathans All of 'em building
new houses, and keeping their horses and ser
wants. Look at them, | say-and then look
at U.s."
" But, my love, where shall find money to
do such things?"
Find it where other folks find it. Shut
up your little, nasty shop, and go into some
business more promising. How do other folk s
find money I'd like to know 2"
" But other folks have a faculty which
have not" said Tom, in an earnest, argumen-
tative tone. g have found perfect happiness
in my little shop, and in my neat and comfort
able home. Health has been secured to us ::
our children are blessings plenty was always
ours, and no man can dun you or Inc for debt
Other folks may be happy with their great
houses, and their servants, and their parties
but such things are not suited to us All,
All, Hannah, you could never be so happy as
you have been were You to have Sarah VIII
kin'S place She may like it, but you would not. :"
Don't tell me, Tom Crosby. Don't YOU
! suppose | know what | should like ? | sav it
gals me to think that I'm never going to get
above this kind of life Others, who, are no
better than we are, have money enough"
And don't we have enough Hannah .
Don't we have everything we want p
| NO we don't. Look at wilkins See how
his wife dresses and how proudly she holds
her head when she goes into meeting Only
just think how she mods at me- but never
| speaks. declare, Tom, it's too bad"
And yet, my love, Mr.. Wilkins came to
me yesterday, and wanted to borrow hun
dred dollars
Mrs. Crosby opened her eyes, but before
she could make any reply, somebody raped at
the door. Tom answered the summons, and
the caller was a boy, who had come after a
pair of new boots
Boots :" uttered Mrs Crosby TO herself,
after her husband had gone to the shop
Boots Mercy shall ever escape that de-
grading sound ~
This simple scene will show somewhat of
the state of mind into which Mrs. c. had fall
en- She had not always been thus though
she had always held little ideas of pride which
her husband had never felt But about two
years previous to the opening of our story Mr.
Albert Wilkins had moved into the town, and
he had brought with him for wife one who
had been Hannah's schOolmatc in times gone
by Mrs. w. not only made much show of
her wealth, but she also sighted her old
friend, and this worked upon the feelings of
the more humble female Mrs c. beyan to
envy the wealthy woman, and from this sprung
numbcrleSs consequences. 1t was sometime
before she really thought of aiming at such
herself, but the idea gradually came over her,
and then she began to reflect upon her hus-
bands position, and she was not long in MAX
ing up her mind that he might have been
wealthy had he tried. 1t was in vain that
Tom urged the expense of his children, in vain
that he pleaded his own inability, and in vain
that he urged the joys of contcntment The
evil spirit had gained possession of his wife's
soul, and he could not exercise it by any argu-
ment or persuasion, Hannah became unhappy
and miserable, and even her own children fail
ed to give her JOY.
One day Tom was in his shop all alone, and
he was weeping. He had just been to the
house, and another scene had transpired
He had come back to his little shop, and with
his hands claspcd, and his eyes turned heaven
ward, he prayed that God would move his
wife'S heart with sweet content once more
Hardly had he uttered this prayer, when the
door of his shop was opened, and a man en-
tered. This was no less parsonage than John
Newton, an old schoOImastcr of Toms upon
whom fortune had smiled most bountcouSly.-
He had lived in a neighboring town-in large
and thriving manufacturing yage-and had
amaSscd great wealth without marring his |
heart. He seldom saw Tom now, when he did
meet him. his greeting was as warm and genial
as ever.
What Tom :" uttered Newton as he saw
the poor cobblers gloomy, fearful face 'what
is to pay now :.
"Nothing,n was Tum's answer
But Newton was not to be put off thus,
and after considerable questioning Tom reveal
cd the secret lie knew if he had noble
friend on Garth, John Newton was that friend,
and he told all. For some time after he had
done, Newton remained thoughtful and silent
but at length a bright glcam rested upon his
face.
"Tom," he said, Hannah doesn't dream
of the thousand and one cares of which she is
now free, and to which wealth would snbjcct
her"
"Ay, that's it Jack" the cobblcr cried
" That's it. She don't know much she has
to enjoy She's got her head turned"
But think we can turn it back again"
"Eh ?"
"We can turn it again. | say. BY my
SOUL Tom, | have never offered money, because
| knew you had enOugh-but | can give you
something better now. / will take my wife
and children out of the way for awhile, and
you shall have the use of my house, plate, ser
wants, dresses and ALL Eth =? How's that Z"
Tom Crosby opened his eyes, and as soon as
he could comprehend matters fully, he sat down
10y the side of his friend, and they talked to-
gether over an hour
Il say it's no use, Tom, I'd just as lief die