Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-04-02
The New Carpet.

81 can hardly spare it, Jane; but as
you have so set your heart upon it, why |
suppose | must"
The young wife looked with rapture
upon the shining gold pieces.
Twenty pounds" said she to herself;
show rich it makes me fell 1t seems a
great deal to pay for a carpet; " but gold
is worth gold" as the old saying is, and
one good purchase is worth a dozen poor
ones. l will buy one of the very finest.
and most beautiful Brussels" 8
Afternoon came; the rosy babe was
laid asleep in his little cradle, and the
maid received a score of charges to lin
ger by its side every moment till the dar-
ling woke up. Jane, flushed with eager
anticipation, looked her prettiest; and
throwing her mantilla over her handsome
shoulders, she was just hurrying away,
when a loud ring at the door brought out
a very pettish Oh, dear!" at the expect
ed intrusion.
"Oh, Jane-dear janet" and a pale
young creature sat painting or the sofa.-
+" We are in such trouble-such dreadful
trouble! Can you help us? Do you
think we could borrow twenty pounds
from your husband? Couldn't you get it
for us? Ycu know you said | might al
ways rely upon you when trial came, and
poor Charles expects every moment to be
arrested; and he is so ill!".
Dear, dearl' said Jane, her good
heart suddenly contracting; Edward
told me, only this morning, not to ask him
for any money for three MONTHS" and she
gathered her purse up tightly in her hand
kerchief. I'm sure, if-I-only-could
oblige you you, l would; but l expect Ed
ward is really pushed. Can't you get it
elsewhere? Have you tried?"
Eyes" answered her friend, despond-
ingly, 1--WE tried everywhere. People
know that Charles is i'll and cannot repay
Immediately. Mr.. J--knows our
circumstances, yet he insists upon that
Oh. it is SO hardl it is so hard!"
Her pitiful voice, and the big tears run
ming like rain down her pallid cheeks, al
unnerved James ~selfshness. But
carpet-that beautiful carpet she had
promised herself so long, and so often had
been disappointed of its possession, that
she could not give it up She, knew her
husbands heart-and that he would urge
her to self denial. No! she would not see
she die it was all we with the
"Well," said her friend, in a despond-
.ng voice, rising to go, I'm sorry
| know you would if you could, and it is
something to know that-but | go back
with a heavy heart. Good morning, dear
Jane; | hope you will never know what it
is to want and suffer-"
How handsome tho new carpet looked
as the sun streamed in on its wreatbed
its colors of fawn, and blue, and
crimson, its soft ~velvety sichness--and
how proud Jane folt at the lavish praises
Of her %neighbors! 1t was a bargain, too,
she had saved six pounds in its purchase
and bought a pair of elegant vases for
the window-recess.
"I declare" said her husband. this
looks like comfort; but it spoils all my
to think Of Charley Somers.-
The poor fellow is dead"
Jane gave a real sharp scream, and the
flush faded from her face.
Yes that r~ascally j.! For the
sum of twenty pounds he arrested
Charles, who ruptured a blood vessel.
and lived but an hour afterwards. You
he has been weak and i'll this long
And Mary" issued from James blood
less lips.
"She has a dead child; and they tell me
ner life is despaired of. Why on earth
1idn't they send to me? I could easily
spared the money for that purpose.
If it had stripped me Of the last guinea
hey should have had it. Poor follow
Mary"
And l might have saved it-alln|
Jane, sinking upon her knees on
hat rich carpet. Oh, Edward, will God
forgive me for my heartlessness?-l
did call here, and with tears begged
to aid her-and IL had the whole
sum in my very hand-and coldly turned
Ter away. Oh, my God forgive mel for
rive mel"
In the very agony of grief, poor Jane
would receive no comfort. In vain her
husband strove to soothe her; she would
lot hear a word in e~xtenuation of herI
selfish conduct.
:" never shall forget poor Mary's tears
shall never forget her sad voice; they
will haunt me to my dying day! Oh, take
t away-that hateful carpet | have
purchased it with the death of my dear
st friendl How could 1 be so cruel?-I
hall never be happy again, neyer-nev-
,rl'
Years have passed since then, and Ma
y with her husband lie together under
he green sod of the churchvard. Jane
grey hair mixed with the light brown
f her ~tresses; but she lives in a home of
plendor, and none kroy her but to bless
Ter. There is a Mary, a gentle Mary in
Ter household, dear to her as her own
weet children-she is the orphan child
# those who have rested side by side for
en- lorg years.
Edward is rich; but prosperity has not
hardened his heart. His hand never tires
# giving out bounty to the poor; and
lane is the guardian angel Of the needy.
The "new carpet long since old, is sa
;redly preserved as a memento Of sorrow-
u but penitent hours; and many a weary
leart owes to its silent influence the pros
'erity that has turned wants wilderness
INTO an. Eden of plenty.