Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-02-11
4 sxICH.
s.Kee 8 HIS DesAfnsss

Mr.. Shepherd, Whist do you pay your hsad
clerk Ho seems = capable man.
We'll, % tell the truth, he gets but sir
hundred year.
Six hundred dollars and family to
support its not enough"
Il know it; the poor devil is head over
ears in debt; but l will not raise his salary.
He must be kept doirn or he II be too indie
pendent, and SO would never do for me
II don't understand you; too indpenden.
of what-your opinion r
"Not exactly that: but you see the young
man is stranger here; he's been in good
circumstances is domestic, and will make
any sacrifice to make his family comfortable
this he cannot do unless he incurs debt
Well when he is so tormented with duns
that he cannot work to advantage, then gen
eronsiy come forward, and cancel the whole
or part Of his obligation. This lays him un.
der a debt Of gratitude, while in reality il
costs me no more than to pay liberal sala.
~"
Passenger for Stamford" screamad the
conductor
Already well, good morning"
"Good day
The speakers were two, whose glossy
broadcloth, spotless linen, and certain name
less well-todo-ness which stamped their ex-
terror, proclaimed them to be successful
merchants
In small room in one of the quiet streets
Of the citya young woman sat sewing. Her
dress, as well as the furniture was Of the
plainest description, but an air of delicacy
and refinement pervaded both. Her face un-
der happy auspices might be beautiful laugh
ter seemed congenial to those bright eyes,
and dimples ready to start from the corner
of the mouth; but now an anxious, weary
look showed that lifes trials had come at an
early hour. Tears seemed swelling from
her heart; but by strong effort of the will
they were forced back, for it is about the
hour when her husband returns, and she
must cheer and comfort him.
A quick step is heard on the stairs, the
door opens, and the husband enters; but to.
day his usually calm face is perturbed and
troubled; strange light is iii his eyes, a
hectic color in his cheeks.
"Mary, its too much;lI can't stand it any
longer There's Brown after me for that
note | was foolish enough to give, on the
strength of Mr.. Shepherds promise to raise
my salary. I've put him off from day to day,
but to-day he came determined to have his
money before he left the store humbled
myself, and asked Mr.. Shepherd to advance
me enough to rid myself of the mans perse,
cution but he coolly answered, business
was dull, money slow coming in, L had an
advance already etc l wonder who earns
his money for him while he is riding about
town. Oh that he were poor and dependent
but for one day, he d learn then"
10 n
fully nut her hand on her husbands mouth
1you are tired and excited; rest q little and
tomorrow make an effort Perhaps, by try
ing you might meet with more generous
employer; -.,,
ger and must refer to Mr.. Shepherd Ht
admits that Jenkins is a smart fellow, indus
trious and steady, but terribly e1trdrdgant
| head over ears in debt, and so every one hes
itates to take me. If he had but the justice
to say how those debts were incurred thu
sickness and burial of our darling Willie
but no, he does not wish to part with me-
am too useful serrant;" and Williams liz
curled, and his heart writhed.
All night long the tempest ragged in tn
poor fellows breast Was THIS justice t.
take advantage of fellow creature S position
when that position had not been brough
about by any crime of his own? Dark ant
vindictiye thoughts of Providence flashed
through his mind. 1t was the valley Of tn
shadow of death, through which the sou
must pass in its struggle for higher life.
Delirium mercifully finished the contest
All the day following, the sick man talked O
debts, duns, and poor Mary" "poor Mary
fell in piteous tones from his lips. Poo
William! His fine sensibility and Keen sens
of honor had eaten his heart
Mary stood like guardian angel by hi
couch. She forgot her own sorrow, her com
ing desolation, for she could not conceal from
herself that she was soon to be left alone
Sorrow and constant anxiety had done tn
work of years As she smoothed back til,
curls from the beloved ones brow premature
" streaked with gray, there rushed back, a!
with an enchanter wand, the vision of {
bright, cheerful manly brow, full of promise
of trust of high endeavor, of fervent aspira
ton; no guilt, no crime had been there, ant
yet at thirty he was but wreck. Bitter
tears dropped from her eyes. Her husband
awoke with his old natural smile. "Yo GU art
weeping, Mary, my own, patient, darling
wife Let me for the last time dry those
tears Oh, how many have l caused you t.
shed /, who meant to make your life like
one long summer day, and am now about tx
| leave you in the cold world alone. Cold
! cold yes, see the rock on which l have
foundered all our earthly happiness | be
lieved men to be noble, magnanimous, gen
erous-and have found them grinding, ex
acting, selfish. But there's better worlt
awaiting u.s. In these long silent hours
when you thought me sleeping, l have beer
visited by visions of angels But now fee
weary, a strange drowsiness is stealing owe
me; goodnight. dearest, one kiss-good
night.
Mary printed one long, long kiss on thos'
breathed aught but kindness. She rejoicet
that for him the battle was ended.
The doctor pronounced this chad case o
brain fever" but we. who had seen behint
the curtain, would give truer verdict;
broken heart
And thus ended the experiment of "keep
ing doaon." %
Let not this slight sketch be thought over
drawn. Nature delights in contradictions
She gives often to woman, whose sphere o
action is limited to parlor or kichen, talents
fitted for a wider scope; strong, practica
sense, insight into character, and foresight
edness; while she sends one of the sterneI
sex to battle with the world with only silk
en- armor acute sensibility, exalted views o
| character. Woe to the delicate porcelain
when it comes in contact with the course
pelf of everyday life
/ A JUDICIAL AND JUDICIoUs HINT-Gen. e
- was more distinguished for gallantry in
the field than for the care he lavished upon
personal cleanliness. Complaining on a Ger.
tain occasion to the late Chief Justice B