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

The TACT was, Helen was truly an econ
omical womaa and shegwas well aware
of the ruinous consequences Of standing
accounts. lfshe had been convinced that
her husband could not afford to give her
the desired sum of money, she would have
been content; but as he never made any
disclosures in regard to his financial af.
fairs, she judged, that, as he was doing
as good business as other, she ought to do
as others did. And here lay her greatest
faul!, or rather her weakness she allowed
herself to be governed too mach by the
example and opinion Of others.
''But, you must have the dress," per-
sisted Alice. ut will never do to give up
so." Then after little reflection: 81
have an idea how much money have
you at preseLt!" I"
NEARLY six dollars" replied Helen,
producing her purse,
"Well," said Alice, II will lend you
the remaining amount. and you can pay
it to me in small sums, as you get it,
some future time. Just get the materials,
make it up and wear it, without saying
anything to your husband shout it. Will
that do Z"
Helen's heart revolted atthe idea ofhav
ing secret from her husband; but upor
reflection, concluded there was no Other
way for her to do, and maintain her rights
therefore, queting her conscience with
these reflections, she accepted Alice's pro
posal.
The necessary articles were purcha
sed, and the dress was made in the mos
approved style. Helen could not hav'
found anything more to her taste. Blu
there was wrong somewhere-not ir
the dress, but somewhere between he
own heart and her kusband-not in he
own heart she was sure; she had don
perfectly right--so Mrs. Price thought
so she thought. Then it must be he
husband-yet the wrong was with hin
and there she let it rest.- Henceforth h
was an auslere husband-she, an ill.trea
ed wife. Henceforth lowering clou
hovered, omniously, over the one happ
pair.
TO wear the dress, 10 show her hus
band she could Go as she pleased, requi
red a good deal of nerve, but, inasmuc
as Charles possessed goodly quantit.
of will, so also, did Helen possess an am
pie amount of spunk, which, it is wei
known, is never failing tonic TO The ner
vous system. Fortifyng herself with thi
| feminine panacea, she invested herself j
her new attire, on the Sabbath, to al
company her husband to church. Blu
her precautions were unnecessary. Ne
5 ther by word or look did Charles motto
his wfe's costume. He was CROWN
. meditative, unobservant, taciturn.
Helen was no more pleased with this
: than she would have been with reproacl
for--there was wrong somewhere.
E $50 inattenlive, so regardless of m
, dress and appearance y thought she.
D Whatever the cause, Charles nevt
spoke of the dress, and Helen had it a
, to herself, but neither that, nor the n
) Election that she bad won her point a
!, (orded her happiness. She could new
d think of it without twinge Of conscience
= for which she could not account seein
she was not in fault.
Between husband and wife there wt
an increasing coldness, although no wore
h of altercstion ever passed between then
v Charles was absorbed in business |
t spent but little time at home, and wht
v there, was silent. Helen thought hi
/. morose.
Helen was much occupied by domesl
b cares, was thoughtful, often sad; Charl
:. thought-no matter what he thought, W
# men are so often miSudged!
Poor Helen she was really very u
- happy, her mind would often wand
I back to the once happy days of her ma
ried life, when every wish and thoug
e was known 10 the other. and even II
d minutest plans were mutually discusse
and bright smiles, affectionate looks, al
, tender words kept the heart warm, al
If hope and home bright.
v She wondered if it were always thus
if love always waned, and clouds alwa
', gathered 30 soon after the dawning of
propitious morn,
I. About three years from the time ,
g: first saw Helen sitting in her little parlt
ot thinking Of Alice Prices new hat, 81
v might have been seen again sitting in t
o same place, with her mind deeply occ
a. pied. She had changed not that 8
10 was thinner, or paler, or much older, /
d her features had assumed sharpness
a expression, and the light ofhe eyes "
10 fitful, as if all was not right within. a
re- one would think the subject of
: thoughts not pleasant, but that cannot
At correct conclusion, for she was thin
20 ing of a new shawl-a rich beauli
8. shawl.
ID Since the purchase of the black 81
le she had never asked her husband Tor a
e. particular article, but used her US
!" amount Of money, without either ask
,p advice, or exhibiting her purchases. T
es now, to purchase that shawl, she need
10 thirty dollars an amount she seldom
le by her at once, and now her purse v
empty. Perhaps her expression Of