The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-09-09

Auo w hltc latuST gave ucT u 5uaWl e.
actly like it, and you must let me hav
the money to buy this one. 1t will las
l nay lifetime
'Isn't q hundred dollars large pric
for a shawl p inquired my father in hi
sober way.
; oh, dear, nol' was my emphatic an
swer; "A hundred dollars is low pric
for q shawl. Jane Wharton's cost fv
hundred
I'm think about it, said my father
and turned away from me, thought
rather abruptly
When he came home at dinner tim
L was alone in the parlor, practicing &,
new piece of music which my fashionable
teacher had left me. He was paid thre,
dollars for every lesson. My father
smiled as he laid hundred dollar bill
on the keys of the piano. 1 started up
and kissing hirn, said, with the ardor ot
q pleased girl,
What dear, good father you ara'
The return was ample. He always
seemed most pleased when he could graf,
ify some wish or supply some want of his
children. All if we lad been less sell
fsh--le 8 e1acting!
1t was hardly to be expected that my
sisters would see me possessor of hun
dred dollar shawl, and not desire like
addition to their own wardrobes.
4 want a hundred dollars said my
sister Jane, on the next morning, as my
father was about leaving for his store.
Cant spare it to- day, my child 1
heard Linn answer, kindly but firmly.
oh, but must have itl' urged my
sister.
4 gave you twenty five dollars only
day before yes erday,' my father replied
to this. What have you done with
that:
Spent it for gloves and laces,' said
Jane in light way, as if the sum were
of the smallest possible consequence.
I am not made of money, child The
tone OF my fathers voice struck me as
unusually sober-almost sad But Jane
replied instantly, and with something OF
reproach and complaint in her tones:
i shouldn't think you were, if you
find it SO hard to part With hundred
dollars
Il have large payment to make to-
day, my father spoke with unusual de-
cision Of manner-'and shall need every
dollar that I can raise
You gave sister hundred dollars
yesterday said Jane. almost petulcnlly.
Not word of reply did my father
make 1 was looking at him, and saw
an expression in his coantenance that
as new to mean ex ression of pain
mingled with fear. He turned away
slowly, and in silence left the house
Jane, said my mother. addressing her
from the stairway, on which she had been
standing, how could you speak so to
your father?'
4 have just as good right to hun
drcd dollar shawl as Anna replied my
sister in very uEdutiful tone. And
what is more, I am going to have one.'
What reason did your father give for
refusing your request to-day p asked
my mother.
Couldn't spare the money! Had a
large payment to make Ouly an ex-
cuse =
Stop, my child ! was the quick, firm
remark, made with unusual feeling. 'Is
that the way to speak of SO good faith
err Of one who has ever been so kind
ly indulgent ? janet Jane! You know
not what you are saying!'
Ny sister looked something abashed
at this unexpected rebuke, when my
mother took occasion to add, with an
earnestness of manner that 1 could not
help remarking as singular:
Your father is troubled about some
thing. What it is know not. Busi.
ness may not be going on to his satisfac-
tiou, thing not quite improbable. Last
night awoke, and found him walking
t floor. To my questions he merely
answered that he was wakeful. His
health is not as good as formerly, AID
his spirits are low. Don't let me, pray
you. do anything to worry him. Say no
moro about this money, Jane. You will
get it whenever it can be spared
l did not see father again until tea
time. Occasionally, business engage
ments pressed upon him so closely that
he did not come home at the usual hour
for dining. He looked pale, weary
haggard:
'Dear father, are you sick p said I,
laying hand upon him, and gazing ear
nes,ly into his countenauce.
Il do not feel very weIl,' he replied;
partly averting his face, as if he did not
wish me to read its expression too close
y. L have had weary day
You must take more recreation said
7. This excessive devotion to business
s destroying your health. Why will
1ou do it father p
He merely sighed as he passed onward,