Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-02-05
The New Carpet.

you have set your heart upon it, why I
suppose must
The young wife looked with rapture
upon the shining gold pieces.
"A hundred dollars, said she to her
self, 'how rich it. makes me feel It
seems to be great deal topay for car
pet, but gold is worth gold,' as the old
saying is, and one good purchase is
worth dozen poor ones. I'll buy one
-sssss-fiae zaad: ssest beautiful
Afternoon came; the rosy babe was
laid asleep in his little cradle, and the
maid received a score of charges to lin
ger by its side every moment until the
darling woke up. Jane flushed with
eager anticipation, looked her prettiest;
and, throwing her mantilla over her
handsome shoulders, she was just hurry
ing away, when loud ring at the door
bell brought very pettish 'Oh dear!'
at the unexpected intrusion.
'Ohl dear-dear jane and pale
young creature sat sobbing on the sofa
We are in such trouble-such a dread
full trouble! Can you help US? Doyou
think We could borrow hundred dol
lars from your husband? COUNT you
get it for us? You know you said I
might always rely upon you when trial
came; and poor Charles expects every
moment to be arrested; and he is so ILL
Dear, dear, said Jane, her good heart
suddenly contracting. Edward told me
only this morning, not to ask him for
any money for three months and she
gathered her purse up tightly in her
handkerchief. 4 am sure, if-I-only
could oblige you, L would; but ez-
pect Edward is really pushed Can't
you get it elsewhere? Have you tried?'
Yes answered her friend despond-
ingly. I have tried everywhere. People
know that Charles is i'll and cannot pay
Immediately. Mr.. j. knows our
circumstances, yet he insists upon that
money. Do, it is 50 harl! It IS 50
hard
Her pitiful voice, and the big tears
running like rain down her paiiid cheeks
almost unnervcd James scIfshness.-
But that carpet-that beautiful carpet
she had promised herself so long, and
so often been disappointed Of its posses
sion, that ssss could not givsft----,
knew her husband s hcart-and that h
would urge her to self-denial. No. she
would net see h;n-if she did, twas all
over with the carpet.
We'll, said her poor friend, in de-
you can't help me; L know you would
if you could, and it is something to know
that but [ go back with heavy heart
Good morning, dear Jane; l hope you
viii never know what it is to want and
suffer
How han Iso1no the new carpet looked
as the sun strcame1 in on its wreathel
flowers its coloT5 Of lawn, and blue, and
crimson, its soft velvet richne&s-and
how very proud felt Jane at the lavish
praises of their neighbors. It was a !
bargain too, she had saved thirty dollars
i'll its purchase, and bought a pair Of
elegant vases for the window recess.
4 DECLARE said her husband, this |
looks ike comfort; but It spoils ali my
pleasure TO think Of poor Charley Somers.
The poor fellow is dead!'
Jane gave q sharp scream, and the
flush faded from her face.
Yes, that rascally j! For the
paltry sum of one hundred dollars, he |
arrested Charles, who ruptured blood |
vessel, and scarcely lived an hour after
wards. You know he has been weak
and i'll this long while.
And Nary?' issued from James al
most bloodless lips.
She has q dead child, and they tell
ne her life is dcspairod of. Why on
earth didn't they send for me? [ could
easily have spared the money for that
purpose. IF it had stripped me Of the
last dollar, they should have had it
Poor fellow-poor Mary3
sAnd I might have saved it-aUr
Jane, sinking upon her knees
upon the rich carpet. On! Edward,
will G cd forgive me for heartlessness
Mary did call here, and with tears beg
red me TO aid hcr-and had the whole
sum in my very hand-and coldly turn
ed her away. Oh! my God forgive me
forgive me !!
In the very agony of grief, poor Jane
would receive no comfort. In vain her
husband stroye to soothc her; she would
not hear word in cxtenuation of her
selfish conduct.
I shall never forget poor Nary's tears;
[ shall never forget her sad voice; they
VIII haunt me 10 my uJlnS otJ OH
AXE it away-that hateful carpet l
nave purchased it with the death Of my
learest friend! How could be SO cru
Il! I shall never be happy again, never!
never!
Years have passed since then, and Ma
y and her husband lie together under
he green sod Of the churoh-yard. Jane
las grey hairs mixed with the light
brown of her trcsses, but she lives in
nome of splendor, and none knows her
,ut to bless her. There is a Mary, a
gentle Mary in her household, dear to
Ter as her own sweet children-she IS
he orphan child Of those who have rest
ID side by side for ten long years. I
Edward is rich, but prosperity has
lot hardened his heart. His hand new
II tires of giving out bounty to the
,oor; and Jane is the guardian angel OF
he needy. The new carpet, long since
I'D, is scarcely preserved as a mcmento
# sorrovful hut penitent hoH9, and :