The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-09-23
SfltrttA Sturu.
IL A R D I'll M ES,
OR, THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE
CHAPTER |.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.


What makes you look so dull this
morning, EllenF inquired Mr.. Chester, a
merchant IN small way, OF his wife.
They had been married about year,
aud ihus Tar not au I'i~ualurvd word had
been spoken by them. At his marriage,
Chester had taken small but neat and
convenient house, in the upper part Of the
city. lie had been able To furnish it in
plain manner; but since his marriage,
his business had added many articles Of
luxury To his small establishment.
The times had begun to tighten up,
however, aud business was dull. The
notes were due, and he had to bestir him.
self 10 make his payments. Fortunately
for hun, however, AS the strngrncy in the
money market began to weigh most heav
lily, his fathers administrator placed him
IN possession OF TWO thousand dollars,
wnlch had been reserved to await the con
ungency of law suit, and which had
now been satisfactorily settled.
With this sum he had been enabled 10
pay oil his more pressing demands, and
TO lay up u surplus Of five hundred dol
lars To meet nose which would fall due
some two months hence. The recent of
tLls sum also induccl him TO Increase the
luNurles OF his house. The parior had
To be newly furnished, AMI The o.d parior
furniture placed in the sitting room.-
They bad every thing i!iat was necessary
for comfort, or crcditaLIe appearance ia
the world.
You look very dull continued the
husband, ~ lac arose from the breakfa>,
table.
Ellen looked at him with languid
smi.v, bur "'dc no reply.
w ha' ais louH
i Mas thmkI"g how lonesome should
he here al day, replied she.
'l.nnr>pmc. Why don't YOU 90 out,
then, ami lake the air Walk down
Washing Oh street, aud arouud Tie con-.
innn--ii vii revive your splris.'
How al surd you talk. Walk round
th" c"inmon in the month of December
Way, | should freeze TO dca:h.'
Not so bad MS that icpIred the Young
husband, chucking Ills wife under the
c"In. Go 10 the Athe".r ..n and see ,nr
pr"iurcs.'
i couldn't do that every day, and YOU
dom't know how lonesome am
Can't YOU read Z
i duntwant 10 read all the time
Read part OF the time, then
'Bur, Fred, have been thinking of
s"methIug,' and sui!e played upon the
pretty lips OF the young wife.
What. l. len z
i miss something in our house
do youi
20, very much indeed
We'll, Ellen, what is it
a piano; it would be so nice to prac-
tire, these long, dreary days. | should
be as happy as princess II | only had IA
piano
Mrs. Chester's father WAS in affluent
circumstances, and bef,re she was mar
ried she had been accustomed 10 many
luxuries, which h,r husb,nd's limited
means would not permit hun to provide.
But, Ellen, cant afford piauo.-
Tie times have not beca 81 hard before
for these ten vears'
you have got five hUndred dollars il.
the bank
But, dear, have reserved that % ray
note
Don't you expect TO make enou, ia to
pay ~
1t is very doubtful; my business hardly
pays expenses
You will be able to pay that, know
continued the eloquent petitioner.
We'll, well, my dear, you shall have
tie piano
You are dear husband. You will
get me one of Chickerings!'
ANY kind you please, my dear
And before dinner time the instrument
came home, aud Mrs, Chester was Ms
happy rs n piano could make her, albeit
she had little idea of the significance 81
three pc: cent. u month, and protested
notes.