The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-23
I. NJ. %

the money, why, can borrow it."
"But you will still owe it,
"Shall I, indeed?" laughed he.
II wish we had not bought the piano"
"I don't Isabel l am sure the enjoyment
We have derived from it has more than paid for
it."
'fIf we had already paid for it. perhaps it
would. l feel very badly about it. If We
once get in debt, it is hard to get free from
debt"
MY salary will bo raised again, next year,
and we can easily pay il off then"
All that he could say however, failed to
satisfy his anxious wife; and for several days,
in spite of all Richard could do she was sad
and gloomy. The husband, too began to real
ize bis folly, and wished the piano had never
been bought. But as time passed on she be-
came cheerful again, and everything went on as
before.
One day Richard happened to 60 home for
bill at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and
found his wife absent. This was unusual, aud
as he was passing down the street, be saw her
approach from the other side of the way, at
tended by gentleman
For the first time in his life, pang of iea-
lousy shot through his heart. He stopped to
observe the parties. Isabel entered the house
and her companion, politely touching his hat
passed on.
Richard was alarmed. Could his wife per
nit the attentions of a gentleman? Two OF
three times after this he went home at the same
hour and found the door locked, his wife ab-
sent But she was just as loving and afec-
tionate when he went home at night as ever.
There was nothing to indicate the diminution
Of her affection for him.
Still he was not satisfied, and he yentured
to say that he had been horne, several times.
and found her absent in the forenoon. She
colored up, much to his grief, and tried to turn
off the subject. He permitted her to do SO, re-
solved, however, to probe the matter to its
roots.
One morning, instead Of going to the store
as usual, he remained near the house. AT nine
o'clock he saw her come out, and he followed
her to an elegant house in neighborng street.
She remained there an hour, and then went to
another house, where she stopped another
hour, and then went home.
She had never spoken to him of visiting in
these families, and his suspicious began to
gather considerable weight. He became posi-
lively unhappy and in spite Of all his efforts,
he could not wholly disguise his feelings from
her who was most intimately interested.
He was not yet prepared to expose her, for
he had not yet fully satisfied himself that, to
say the least, she firted with gentlemen, for lac
once again saw her with him who had first e.
cited his suspicious. Home began to lose SON.
of its charms, though Isabel was the affection
ate and devoted wife.
While these things were pending, anotheE
quarter day came round The expenses hao
been somewhat reduced, but there was nothiug
to pay for the piano.
And another quarter came round and st.
there was nothing to discharge the debt 4
year had passed away since the piano had been
purchased Richard was gloomy and moros
He could find nothing to prove that his wifi
was inconstant; nothing in her manner, even to
indicate it, yet that dreadful suspicion st..
haunted him. She was young and pretty, and
a splendid singer and pianoist. She migt
have been led to think that Fer husband wag
not ll-in-all
He often asked her where she went ever
forenoon, and she always answered him, but
he was not satisfied with her replies. The
apple of discord was sown in his heart yet
Isabel was merry, cheerful and happy as ever.
One morning, just as Richard had gone to
the store, a man appeared, who informed her
that he was deputy sheriff He had come to
attach the piano for the unpaid debt. He was
very polite, and discharged bis unpleasant duty
as gently and inofensively as possible.
''But will pay the debt" said Isabel.
81 have no authority to settle the account"
he replied 81 must put in keeper; but if you
wish, l will inform the firm that you will pay
it,"
Il will do SO at once, have the money with
me-"
The sheriff departed, and in half al hour one
of the piano firm appeared, apologised for the
trouble he had caused, received the money and
receipted the bill, and in the furry of dealing
with lady forgot all about the costs. He de
parted taking the keeper with him.
When Richard came home that night, Isabel
handed him the writ the sheriff had left. He
was astonished and confounded
''Thev have duuned lle dozen times within
a week, but did not think Of their doing this !"
Il have been afraid Of it for some time, -
added Isabel. Such things always 20 with
these debts"
''But where is the keeper"
He has gone"
'FGone!"
Here, and she handed him the receipt for
the two hundred dollars she had just paid:
"What does this mean?" he asked bewiI-
dered. ...-
1T means that have paid fer the piano
/ "YoQ?"
eyes" and she laughed with merry twin
kle in her eyes.
"And how could you pay for it?'
"I had the money"
Where did you get it?'
Zone hundred dollars | got for singing in
church, and the other hundred dollars made
by giving music lessons"
'sMusic lessons! Where?"
She mentioned the families to whose houses
he had followed her. He fully understood her
now.
not what difficulties" he exclaimed, pressing
her to his heart; and then he confessed his
jealousy, and mentioned the gentleman he s0s-
pected.
"The gentleman was the father of little
girl to whom l gave lessons" she added, mis-
chievously. we are not only out Of debt, but
out Of jealousy"
Bless you, my wife. You were right. That
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