True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-11-18

OF course Helen said no more about it;
but when she saw Alice again, and rela-
ting the reason for not getting the furs,
the latter exclaimed -
" The mser l should think he
might be ashamed to dictate you about
what to get, or what not. | am glad my
husband is NOT so penurious !"
If, heretofore, Helen had ever made
any comparison between her own husband
and that OF Alice, the result would have
been decidedly in favor Of The former;
but now, as they were suspended in the
scales by Alice, she perceived that the
whole weight Of fifteen dollar set of Gurs
was in Georges favor.
Hereafter the light of her eyes was
little more sharp, her lips little more
compressed, and at times might be seen
The shadow of cloud upon her brow; I;
small it is true,-not larger than the one
which EEjah's servant saw as he looked
towards the sea--yet it was there.
Henceforth the seasons ofunconstraned
heart.iniercourse between husband and
wife were less frequent. Charles was
diligent in business; Helen was unliring
in her domestic duties.
A few months after this Helen needed
a new silk dress--a black silk; and so,
after examining one which Alice had just
got, and duly weighing the matter in her
own mind, she concluded TO get one. But
she dreaded to speak of it to Charles, for,
although he seldom made any remarks
upon her dress nowadays, or asked any
questions in regard TO her purchases, yet
she had observed Of late that money had
been sometimes little grudgingly given,
and although she was confident that she
stood in absolute need of new silk dress,
yet she was not quite so confident that
Charles would think she did.
"But," she argued 10 herself, chow
does he know that | stand in need Of?
am competent to judge for myself, l an
sure"
Fortified, therefore, with these argu
ments, she said, one morning, to her bus
band, just as he was. ready to leave the
house -
"Have you eighteen or twenty dollars
10 spare NE this morning, Charles!"
"What do you want to do with eighteen
or twenty dollars 7" said Charles, unbut
toning his coat.
"To get me some silk 70. Dress" re
piled Helen, proceeding to gather up the
cups and saucers on the breakfast table.
"Some silk for dress!" repeated
Charles; 81 thought you had plenty o
silk dresses"
81 have such as they are," said Helen
''bul ! want plain black silk. Mine i
fgured-no one wears figured silk, now.'
ut is nice one, if it is figured" re
piled Charles, again buttoning his coat
"Not as nice as you think; it is be
coming quite brown and scanty, too"
"Well, think you will have to max
it do for the present. said Charles, put
ting on his hat. 81 have no money t
pay out for silk dresses now"
Charles went out. Helen gathered th
remaining dishes together in nervou
haste. Her lips were tightly compressed
her eyes emitted fierce light, the clou
upon her brow became dark and forebo
ding.
In the course of the day Alice called
She had become her most confdentia
friend, From her she had received muc
advice in regard to her apparel, man
well.timed suggestions upon the duties
men, and the rights of women, and man
invaluable hints on the subject of maj
aging husbands in general.
: Now Alice's heart overdowed wit
F.. sympathy for her friend, and her indil
nation was aroused agaiast the cause {
iher wrongs.
81 would have the dress, at any rate.
said she. ~ would not be told that
, must make my old one do"
IL do not care so much about th
r Dress" replied Helen; "but to be treate
SO like child"
"That is it; would get the dres
t just to show him that considered mys
0 capable of Judging of, and managing N
( own wardrobe"
v "But can't" said Helen, n haven
the money"
n "Why don't you get IL charged, l a
y ,Oays do, / never think of asking Georg
8 but when | need anything ! go and g
, it. And then / get it made up as tasti
J, as I can before George knows anythir
about it; then put it on and surprise hir
r you know; then it is so pretty, and
4 becoming that he always admires it, ar
is glad have got it, and it saves him
!. deal Of vexation--men always dislike
e be troubled about these things. The
$ is another advantage, too--these men,
o why, they should be greatly shocked
r the idea Of paying so much for silk;
n much for velvet, so much for trimming
SO much for lace, so much for ribon, al
s SO on, but if The bill is presented at Il
o end of The year--so much for family n
I cessities--,hen pay it without murmer
"But," replied Helen, 1--WE do not ke
Q an account at the store. Charles do
y not approve it, and ! am not willing
u commence now, even for the sake Of d
dress"