Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-30

for shawl. Jane Wharlon's cost fvt
hundred"
"I'Il think about it, said my father
and turned from me thought rather ab
ruptly.
When he came home at dinner time,
was alone in the parlor, practising new
piece Of music which my fashionable
teacher had left me. He was paid thret
dollars for every lesson. My father
smiled as ne laid hundred dollar bill or
the keys of the piano. l started up, and
kissing him, said, with the ardor of Q
pleased girl,
"What dear, good father you arer
The return was ample. He always
seemed most pleased when he could graf
/ ify some wish or supply some want o.
his children. All! if we had been less
sel6sh-less exac' ingi
| 1t was hardly 10 be expected that my
sisters would see me the possessor of a
hundred dollar shawl, and not desire a
like addition to their own wardrobes.
81 want hundred dollars" said my
sister Jane, on The next morning, as my
father was about leaving for his store.
"Can't spare it to-day, my child"
I
heard him answer, kindly but firmly.
"Oh, but must have i,l'' urged nv
sister.
al gave you twenty five dollars only
day before yesterday, my father replied
TO this, "What have you done with thai?"
"Spent it for gloves and laces,'' said
Jane in light way, as if the sum were
of the smallest possible consequence.
81 am not made of money. child. p
The tone of my fathers voice struck ne
as unusually sobsr-almost sad. But
Jane replied Instantly, and with some
thing of reproach and complaint in her
tones.
Il shouldn't think you were, if you
find it so hard to part with hundred dol
lars"
al have large payment to make TO-
day"-my fa'her spoke with unusual de-
cision of manner-"and shall need every
dollar can raise"
"You gave sister hundred dollars
yesterday" said Jane, almost petulantly.
Not "A word of reply did my father
make. | was looking at him, and saw
an expression in bis counienance that
was new to me-an expression 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. show could you speak so
to your father"
Il have just as good a right to hun
dred dollar shawl as Anna" replied my
sister in very undutiful tone. '.And
what is more, am going 10 have one" :"
"What reason did your father give for
refusing your request to day." asked
my mother.
Couldn't spare the money! Had a
large payment to make! Only an ex-
cuse!''
''Stop, my childl" was the quick, firm
remark. made with unusual feeling. "Is
that the way 10 speak of so good faith
er? OF one who has ever been so kind
ly indulgent? Jane! Jane! You know
not what you are sayingl'
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 l know not. Business
may not be going on to his satisfaction,
thing not quite improbable. Last night
Iawoke, and found him walking the floor.
To my questions he merely answered
that he was wakeful. His health is not
as good as formerly, and his spirits are
low. Don't, let me pray you. do any,
thing to worry him. Say no more about
this money. Jane. You will get il when
ever it can be spared"
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.
"Desr father, are you sick?" said l,
laying a hand upon him, and gazing
earnestly into his countenance.
81 do not feel very we'll, he replied,
partly averling his face, as if he did not
wish me to read its expression too close
ly. Il have had weary day"
"You must take more recreation"
said l. "This excessive devotion to bu.
sines is destroying your health. Why
will you do it, father?"
He merely sighed as he passed on.
ward, and assembled to his own room
At lea time observed that his face was
unusually sober. His silence was moth
ing uncommon; and that passed with
out remark from any one.