The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-04-01

Joseph had the advantage Of his friend
in possessing a better location and
though his rest was somewhat higher,
the difference was more than conpensa-
ted by the increase facilities it afforded
him. The prospect was decidedly bright
before him. IF his business increased
as it had done, ho would be enabled to
clear himself of debt in another year.
U.nder this encouraging aspect he ven
tured to expend hundred dollars in
additions to his furniture, which his
wife insisted was necessary to their COM
fort and happiness. The house had
been furnished altogether too plain for
this progressive age, in her estimation.
She was behind some Of her friends,
who she was sure, were doing no better
than her husband.
Joseph was little obstinate at first
but then there was something SO deci-
dedly comfortable in set of studded
chairs and lounge, that he did not
hold out in his opposition. He was do
ing we'll, and the expenditure would not
seriously embarass him.
With nice new Brussels carpet and
the new furniture, Mrs. Weston's little
parlor looked exceedingly pleasant and
comfortable Besides it looked as
though her husband was prosperiDg in
his business.
It was SO very nice, that the young
wife could not bear the idea of having
the parlor shut up SO that no one could
see it till the furniture had grown rus
ty; consequently she made up her mind
that they must have party.
Their friends had parties; why should
not they 1t looked stingy not to have
one. Mrs. Weston was an eloquent deba-
ter and gained the day in this matter. It
is true the party was not very extrav-
agant affair; but it cost Joe some fifty
dollars.
In the meantime Benjamin had paid as
much for advertising as his friend had
paid for new furniture and the party
Joseph laughed at him and finally came
to the conclusion that he was insane, and
would come to ruin.
Mrs Benjamin Weston, too, felt de-
cidedly unpleasans about the improve
ments which had been going on in her
sisters's house
"Why can't we have rosewood table
and a sett of stuffed chairs, Benjamin 81
asked she, pouting her pretty lips into
very unamiable position.
"simply, my dear, because cannot
afford it, replied the philosophical mer-
chant.
"How can Joe afford it ?'
CT presume he knows his own bust
ness best"
"He has put over hundred dollars
into his house"
Ben whistled "'Tother side of Jor.
don," and made no reply.
DO Ben, buy some new chairs"
"Can't afford it."
eyes you can"
"No ] can't"
"You can afford it as well as joe"
Perhaps I can."
"Do buy some"
| 81 should be very glad to crafty you
but cannot take the money from my
business"
GA year hence,' pouted the wife.
"I must spend hundred dollars il
advertising next quarter"
How foolish %
Very foolish, my dear; but it mus
be DONE"
"That's the way you throw you
money away, You don't catch Joe do
ing any such thing as that.
" True; but though he has the ad
vantage of having corner store, L paie
three hundred dollars more on my mort
gage note than he did,"
Then you can afford the table aut
chairs'
"Nay. my dear, I will not spend ,
dollar for superhuities, while I am il
debt"
Mrs. Ben Weston felt very bad abou
it, but her husband was firm, and she
was forced to content herself with plair
furniture.
Mrs. Joe Weston enjoyed her mic,
parlor till the novelty wore away, ant
then she discovered that there was
great many articles wanted TO max,
things look uniform. The two window
must have drapery curtains, peer glas
was needed, and some pictures wer
wanting to relieve the walls. Her hus
band, who once exceeded the limits o
his means, found no great difficulty il
doing SO again, and the things wer
bought.
But Joe had some scrupels about ii
His notes began to be trublesome, an,
every day he was on the street borrow
ing the money. His. business too ha
not met his expectations Instead c
increasing in the ratio of his last year
experience, it hardly held its own, an
the poor fellow began to have some seri
GUS misgirings about the future.
Before the year had half expired h
: was obliged to introduce rigid system