The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-25
THE TORN POCKET.

'My DEAR said Mr.. Huston to his young
wife, as he rose from his breakfast table, Il
wish you would mend my overcaat pocket.
The day is pleasant, so that ! can leave the
coat of without nvenience.'
sVery well, my love- was the reply, and
a moment after the front door closed on the
husband who departed to the store, where he
filed the place Of responsible clerk.
Mrs. Huston rose to attend to her domes-
tic affairs, and occupied in them, soon for
got the torn coat-pocket. About noon she
had finished her work, and having a spare
hour before dinner, sat down and took up
late novel. In this way she continued to
overlook the torn pocket, until the meal
was over, and her husband had again left
the house, when going to look for the over
coat, she found that Mr.. Huston had put it
on, the weather having grown colder.
90! we'll, it will do tonight said the
wife. 4 suppose he will scold when he finds
l forgot it but it can't be helped now.'
The truth was, Mrs. Huston was what is
called "a good, easy woman;' that is, she
never intentionly harmed any one, but was
only thoughtless and forgetful; her sins
were those of omission. So she found no
difficulty in dismissiDg all uncomfortable
Thoughts concerning the torn pocket, and
lesuming her novel, was soon deep in the
miseries Of the heroine.
About dusk there came violent ring at
the bell. 1t was magnetic ring, as it were,
and expressed anger, or great tribulation,
if not bosh. II made the somewhat ncrv-
Gus Mrs. Huston start with little Shrek.
She stopped reading and listened. ....-.
Directly the servant opened the door, and
the step OF her husband was heard, but
heavier than usual. Her heart unaccounta-
bly, began to beat faster. 50 DEAR she
cred, to herself, what can be the matter?'
She was not long left in doubt. Her hus-
band came at once in the sitting room,
emotions of rage and suffering alternating
perccptibly in his face. Frightened at de.
meanor so unusual, the wife looked up, hel
lips parted in terror, aud unable even te
welcome him as usual. ~ &@ a|
See what yoa have done,' cried Mr.. Hus-
ton, passionately taking of his ovcrSat
turning the torn pocket inside out, ant
throwing the garment into his hearers lap
you have ruined me with your negligence.
sWhst, what have doneY' gaspsd hi'
wife at last, ~ he sternly regarded her
HAS anything happenedP .-sz s.a.-...
ANY thing happened! Didn't I tell 20,
was ruinedf Pve lost FIVE hundred dol
lars, and been discharged because lost it
and all because you dids't mend my pocket
Nor is it the first time, as you know, tha
you have neglected to do what you ought
You are always forgetting. often tolt
YOU you would rue it come day.
But how did IL happens Can anything
be done2' timidIy said the wife, aftsr swbile
How did il happen? In the most natu
raj way possible. had'a note to pay fo1
the firm, and q the bank lay in this par
Of the town, brought the money up Y
dinner, and On going out, put il into ~.
| overcost pocket, supposing Jon had msndet
the rent. When 1 Teached the bank, tn
money was zone. II was then nearly thfe
O'Clock. Almost fraatic, came back I,
within . few steps Of tbs door, hoping 4
find the money on the pavement. II VA
rnadnees, a. might have known; but
looked again and again, asking every bod
u met. Al last vent back to tho store. Bn
| the news hsd preceded me. The NotaE
had already been there to protest the note
md my employers would not hear . wor
Of excuse-I was discharged on the spot.
| she ceased spesiiug, be threw himsel
% chair by she table, and buried his fsc
in his hands. His discharge Was, iDdeed,
terrible blow. Without foTtape, or any
thing but his character to depend on, b
saw, in bis loss of plsse, and the conscqucr