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

.
hundred dollars, which was spent for {
shawl like mine. This brought sunshin
back to her face. Her moody looks
saw disturbed my father.
From this time the hand that had ev
er been ready 10 supply all our wants
real or imaginary; opened less prompt.
at our demands. My father talked oc
casionally of retrenchment and economy
when some of our extravegant bills cam
in; but we paid little heed to his remark
on this head. Where could we retrench
In what could we economize? The very
idea was absurd. We had nothing tha
others, moving in our circle, did no
have. Our house and furniture woulC
hardly compare favorably with th'
houses and furniture of many Of ou
fashionable friends. We dressed no bet
ter, indeed, not so well as dozens of ou
acquaintances. Retrenchment and econ
omyl remember laughing with my
sisters at the word, and wondering will
them what could be coming over ou
father. In half amused way we emu
merated the various items of imaginary
reform, beginning at the annual summer
recreations, and ending with our mill
ner's bills. In mock seriousness, VIZ
proposed TO take the places of cook,
chambermaid and waiter, and thus save
these items of expense in the family
We had quite merry time over oul
fancied reforms.
But our father was serious. Steadily
he persisted in what seemed 10 us a
growing penuriOusness. Every demand
for money seemed 10 give him a partial
shock, and every dollar that came to us
was pared with reluctantly. All thi,
was something new to us; but we though
less than we felt about it. Our father
seemed TO be getting into a very singu.
lar stale of mind.
Summer came round-I shall never
forget that summer-and we commenced
making our annual preparations for Sar-
atoga. Money was. CT course. an indis-
pensable perquisite. I asked for fifty
dollars.
''For what purpose?" inquired my
father.
81 haven't single dress fit to appear
in, away from home," said l.
Where are you going?" he asked.
| thought the question strange one,
and replied, little curtlv,
ITO Saratoga, of course"
"Ohi" 1t seemed new to him. Then
he repeated my words. in questioning
kind of way, as if his mind was not
altogether satisfied on this subject.
''To Saratoga?"
Eyes, Sir. To Saratoga. We always
go there. We shall close the season at
Newport, this year,
"Who else is going?" My fathers
manner was strange. l had never seen
him in the mood he then appeared to be
in.
''Jane is going of course; and SO is
Emily. And We are trying to persuade
mother, also. She didn't go last year
Won't you spend week or two with
US? Now do say yes"
Ny father shook his head at this lest
proposal, and said mo, child!" very
decidedly.
"Why?" l asked.
Because l have something of more
to think about than Sarato.
ga and its fashionable follies."
Business! businessl" said | impa.
tiently. "It is the Moloch, father, to
which you sacrifice every social pleasure,
every home delight, every goodl Al
ready you have laid health and happi-
ness upon the bloody altars of this false
godl"
A few quick hushes went over his pale
face, and then its expression became
very sad.
"Anna," he said, aft brief silence.
during which even my unpractised eye
could see that an intense struggle was
going on in his mind. "Anna, you will
have to give up your visit to Saratoga
this year."
why father" 1t seemed as if my
blood were instantly on FIRE. Ny face
was of course all in a glow. l was con-
founded. and, let me confess it, iudig-
nam: il see Eed so like tyranical out
rage.
"It is simple as l say. my daughter"
H. spoke without visible excitement
81 cannot afford the expense this season,
and you will. therefore, all have TO re-
main in the city,"
That's impossiblel" said l. "I
live here through the summer"
"I manage to live!" There was a
tone in my fathers voice, as he uttered
these simple words, partly to himself.
that rebuked me. Yes, he did manage
to live. but holcg Witness bis pale face,
wasted form. subdued aspect, brooding
silence, habitual abstraction of the mind
manage to live!" hear the rebuk
ing words, even now-the tones in which
they we're uttered are in my ears. Dear
father! Kind, tender, indulgent, long.
suffering. self denyingl All! how little
were you understood by your thought
less, selfish children!