Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-15

himself.
well, that is strange, for more reason
than one, too. You are only IN advance o
me in your information, but if you were no
you are the very last person in. the worl
whom should make confidant touchin.
my private affairs. May be permitted t
know when have had any Conversation
with you upon the subject"
Never, with me, sir, but overheard 20,
telling my husband of your embarrassment
yesterday morning, and when Emily cam,
home from your house in the sHernoon ,ant
spoke of your wife's new carpet, think
did mention the subject to Mrs Chapman
who was here, but did not sappssee sh,
would repeat the co6versatiop y every bod,
she saw 81
Il presume not. Yoa dosasiI sotendes
to have the saiisfac,ion at ek.t your
self. But Whist is it abodt my ~lfe's new
carpet! have heard nothing Of tha. be
fure
why, when Emily came home and re-
ported that your wife had bought one.
But how did Emily know snything about
itr interrupted Mr.. Parsons.
She said she saw it,
Mother! Mother!' exclaimed che trem
bling grill did not tell you where saw It.
Emily" responded the mother quickly
and with an emphasis and manner that were
calculated to be decisive and preclude ali
futher cqptrove rsy on the point, Il know
very well what you said, and SO do you.'
And Emily did know. And she knew
moreover, that her mother, caught in her
own tolls. in the desperation of the momen,
would sooner sacrifice her only chile than
confess her own wrong. And then, aside
from the natural desire to avoid an unpleas-
ant and disieputable slterca ton in the pres.
ence of her lover and Mr.. Parsons, expert.
ence had long since tsnght her that where
the verify of one of her mothers own
stories was the question a: issue, it was
worse than useless to contend with her. -
Overwhelmed with shame and confusion,
therefore, she sank into chair and buried
her face in her hands to conceal her emo.
ton.
you say you overheard me conversing
with your husband upon the subject re-
sumed Mr.. Parsons. Luckily, here he
comes. Mr.. Barton he continued, as tha:
gentleman entered the room, 'what do you
know about my business affairs that would
lead you to question my ability 70 pay my
debts
Nothing whatever, I assure you, nor can
understand why you should address such a
question to me-
But, my dear, did not Mr.. Parsons say
to you in the yard yesterday
morning about not being able to pay his
iebts, and that he might be forced into in.
'olvencyv
Nonsense. womani sheer .pnpeeDsei' q
} lied the husband, seeming ths xatofe of
The case instinctive;y. In speaking of the
crisis, as it is called, he said that
lltnogh he considered himself able 10
'ay his debts two or three times over, yet,
f pressed for immediate payment he hardly
Inew what he should do. and he might, he
ldded laughingly, be forced even to make
IN assignment
'Yes, snd out Of that scanty MATERIAL
laid Dir. Parsons, your wife has got up the
tory that have actually failed. That is !
low the current report, and it has obtained
uch belief that my credit has been disput-
ID to-day for the first timn in my life. ItI
eems, TOD, that Emily has been-:ateresting
herself quite unnecessarily in my affairs,
or she pretenGs to have seen new carpet,
ecently purchased, at my house, although
ny wife never bought one in the world. and
'robably never will till those she made with
Ter own hands are worn out. Isuppose the
wo falsshoods have gone out together, one
Inning at my credit. the other at my honor.
Mrs. Barton attempted to staamer out
eply, but getting lost in her own fog, she
ave it up as bad job and sought safety in
ilence. After Mr.. Parsons had withdrawn,
accompanied by the young merchant, who
ared not trust himself with single glance
oward the chair occupied by one in whom
lis fondest hopes had SO recently centered,
Emily. no longer able to resuais herself,
'urst into tears. Her mother 'endeavored
o console her, but in vain
albert will never speak to me again,
ried the weeping girl. Il can no longer
'ope even for his respect, and If his love
we're possible without that, it would not be
worth the asking. He thinks ] have made
III this mischief oy lying about the carpet.
vhen | have told nothing but the TRUTH
Did you, then, really see new carpet,
t Mr.. Parsons house, after sil,' asked the |
mother. catching ray Of hope.
mo, mother, it was at Uncle MilIer's.'
AT your Uncle Miller's' calculated Mrs.
'artou, fer the first time beeiss*ag family
o comprehend the extent of hef blunder.
'Yes, at Uncle Miller's.'
'Why, then, did you not tell me SO at the
ime, and then you would have saved all this
rouble'
You did not give me an opportunity then
md did not think OF il afterwards
We'll. can't you go over and explain it
vi to Albert now.'
ALAS. no, mother-he won't believe me. |
undertook to explain when he and Mr..
PARSONS were here. but you not only would
Tot listen to my explanation, but pre-.
'ented II in such a manner as to leave |
he impression upon their minds that had
eally told an untruth about the carpet; and
was compelled to seem to acquiesce, thus
acitly confessing my guilt before them.'
The honest truth was. that when Emily |
perceived how eagerly her mother seized
lpon the ideu Of Mrs. Parsons having made
he purchase in question, she felt little
;u' ious to see what sort of a-story would
row out Of It, for she was by no means