Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-05-29

| q Zoe Win WnOm ne might not contend, tOF
who can foretcll the ultimatum Of an extrava.
CANT wOman's whimsI So, as james could
not see what to do, he wisely concluded
to do nothing. His wife had taken undue
advantage Of his concessions, and he resolved
for the future to keep reasonable hold Of Ills
own end Of the string, and let her run the
length Of hers. So, without saying word
he firmly resolved that what money he had he
would use as far as it would 60, and that he
would neither contract q debt himself nor
steal; and such debts AZ his wife contracted
he could but simply say 1t would DC impossi-
BILE for him to pay them. lie could not have
come to wiser conclusion tho event was
clearly obvious, and he was only dcsrOus,
since It must come, that it should come soon.
On former occasion SOphronia had shown
very little terror at an imagined Sheriff. sale,
and he now only awaited to see what would
be the actual state of the affair which was sure
to come ere long. She engaged her retinue Of
handmaidens, but here was her great immedi-
ate trouble, she could find none that would
give long credit; 50 it was constant change
from bad to worse, for nobody would come
unless they were out Of place and also out
Of shelter.
After Mr.. Wiseman had paid his own ncccs-
sary expenses from his salary, the entire bal
ance vas handed over to the disposal Of Mrs.
Wiseman. lie kept faithfully to his business,
nor did his employers ever appear to doubt
his integrity, although they saw that his wife
kept an establishment altogether above his
income. But they shrewdly guessed how the
matter stood, and how it would soon tcrmin-
ate. Mrs. Wiscman entertained the most
stylish company, rode in her caI riage and as
tonished her ncighbors about eight months,
all very smoothly; but when Mr.. Wiseman
was found unable to pay the bills, Mrs. w.
was dnuned in the most ceremonies but per-
cmptory manner, and was obliged to try ev.
cry time some new place to get trusted ten
dollars. This was rather humiIiating hut so
long as she could get credit anywhere she put
up with the duHs. But this state of affairs
did not last long; everything was advertised
for sale and cried on the street under the red
flag. The curtains and rosewood went at
about one tenth their cost, but Mr.. Wiscman
was contentcd, for he hoped that every thing,
even At that price, would put him out Of debt,
and he did not mind starting again empty
handed, so he could start even with the world.
Indeed, it was the happiest day James had
seen 70. many a month, for, AZ he remarked,
he did not like sailing under false colors But
poor Mrs. Wiseman-I actually felt sorry for
her now, badly as had dcspised her before.
Poor thing! - there she sits or rather lies
crOuched down in corner Of chamber, di
rectly over the head Of the auctioneer. Each
article Is canvassed and handled with the rude,
jesting recommend Of his timber tongue, and
the merry rabble, her envious neighbors, who
arc exulting in her downfall. fairly scream out
their i'll timed and vulgar Joy. Poor woman
she covers lower and lower as they hold up
those richly embroidered but soilcd curtains
andOn screams out "hello thar Ill buy that
ar, thing for Sally to hang up afore the milk
shelves to keep the pesky flies out-Only
'tother day she said she wanted some such
sort o thing. " How much, gentlemen, foI
this here splcndifferous piece Of embroidery
Why, this is lit for lady---don't see how thi,
here article found it's way out here. How
muchf How muchI gentlemen, reiterated
the auctiOneer. "Ten cents, yelled the dai
ryman; but the curtains were not doomed tC
so ignominioMs use they were bid off by one
Of her humble neighbors at ten dollars, in
stead Of ten cents aeicce. This was poor com
fort, butt was better than none !; yet there wa!
still an additional vcXation; nearly oil her pc
articles Of furniture had gone for little mOrt
than song, to the most emvious, ill-naturet
neighbOr she had.
Mrs. Wisenan went home to her father
house, and it was many day before she coult
be induced to look an acquaintance In the face
1t was hard lesson but profitable one.-
James was very consitlcrate for her feelings
now thathe saw her bitter humiliation and re
pentance. lie still had his regular salary
and soon got enough together to fit the cot
| taRe Drettilv with his fnVOritc cottage filrni
ture, and Mrs. Wiscman returned to it wi
ser and better woman. They are now con
sidered the wealthicst people in my nativ'
town but she has never since cmplOycda a ser
want except in case Of sickness, and then sh'
calls II hired help. Her white paint and posi-
cs, as she once termed them, have never giveI
place to rosewood, though now she coulc
abundantly afford it. She is one Of my mos
intimate friends, and more considcrate, con
scientious and charitable woman have sci
dom met Mrs. Wiseman has pulled Away
at the same end Of the string with her hus
band, ever since the curtains and roscwoot
passed into other hands, and a happier coupl
have never seen. They have five children
some Of whom are grown up. In their cdu
cation, Mrs. Wiscman has taken the utmos
care that they should be instructed to sbuI
the fOllies Of her carly life and, think, he
teaching has been with good effect. for hav
never been able to detect any Of that peculia
kind Of novcl.rcading nonsense about any 0
them.
| S&SN