Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-23

clothing when necessity called for additions to the
family wardrobe, had been spent for things the
purchase of which would have been omitted, but
for the fact that the dollars were in the purse in,
stead OF the storekocper's hands, and tempted
needless expenditures.
The end Of six months credit approached, and
the mind Of Jacob began to rest upon the dry
goods dealers bill, and to be disturbed by q feel
ing of anxiety. As to the amount of this bill he
was in some uncertainty, but he thought it could
not be less than forty dollars. That was o large
sum for him to owe, particularly as he had moth.
ing ahead, and his current expenses we're fully
up to his income. It was now, for the first time
in his life, that Jacob felt the nightmare pressure
of debt, and it seemed At lines as if it would all
most sufocate him.
One evening he came home more sober than usu
al. He had thought Of little else all day except
HE bill at the store. On meeting his wife he saw
that something was wrong.
What ails you, Jane p said he, kindly are
you sick p
No. was the simple reply. But her eyes drop.
ped as she said it, and her husband saw that her
lips slightly quivered
Something is wrong, jane said her husband.
Tears stole to the wife's cheeks from beneath
her half'closed lids-the bosom labored with the
weight Of some pressure.
Tell me, jane urged Jacobs, IF anything is
wrong; Your manner alarms me. Are any OF
the children sick p
oh, no. no nothing of that was quickly
answered, but-but-Mr. Edwards has sent in
his BILL
That was to be expected ofcourse.' said Jacobs,
with a forced ~calmness. The credit was only for
six months. But how much is the bill p
His voice was unsteady as he asked the guess
ton.
"A hundred and twenty dollars p and poor Mrs.
Jacobs burst into tears.
Impossible = exclaimed the startled husband.
Impossible = There is some mistake. A hundred
anG twenty dollars ! Neverp
There is the BILL and Mrs Jacobs drew it from
her bosom.
Jacobs glanced eagerly at the footing up of the
long column of figures. There were numerals to
the value Of one hundred and twenty.
1t can't be- he said in a troubled voice. Ed.
wards must have made a mistake.'
so l thought when I first looked at the BILL re.
piled Mrs. Jacobs, recovering herself, yet speak.
ing in a sad voice. But / am sorry to say it is all
right. l have been over i: and over it again, and
cannot find an error. Oh dear how foolish l
have been. 1t was so easy to get things when no
money was to be paid down. But l never thought
Of a bill like this. Never
Jacobs sat for some moments with his eyes up.
on the floor. He was thinking rapidly.
so much for good credit. he said, at length TAX
ing a long breath. What a fool l have been
That cunning fellow Edwards has gone to the
windward of me on his books, be would secure
four dollars to one of my money. beyond what he
could get by the cash down system. One hundred
and twenty dollars in six months =! All, me Are
we happier now, for the extra dry goods we have
procured . Not O whit Our bodies have been o
little better clothed, ard our love of display graf,
flied to some extent. But has all that wrought a
compensation for the pains of this Days reckon
ingr
Poor Mrs. Jacobs was silent. Sadly was she re-
penting of her part in the folly that they had com
mitted.
Tea time came, out neither husband nor wits
could do much more than taste food. That Lill fol
a hundred and twenty dollars had taken away theii
appetites. The night that followed brought &c
neither of them a very refreshing slumber; and in
the morning they awoke sober.minded and not in
clined for conversation. But one thought was il
the mind of Mr.. Jacobs-the bill of Edwards: and
one feeling in the mind Of his wife-selfreproscl
for her part 10 the work of embarrassment.
What will you dor said Mrs. Jacobs, In O voice
that was unsteady, looking into her husbands face
with glistening eyes, as she laid her hand upor
his arm, causlng.him to pause as he was abouv
leaving the house.
I'm sure l don't know replied the young man
gloomily. I shall have to see Edwards. 1 suppose
and ask him to wait. But 1 am sure I'd rather
take a horss.whipping. Good credit! He'll sing
a different song now.' 81
For q moment or two longer the husband and
wife stood looking at each other. Then as eact
sighed heavily, the former turned away and ther
left the house. His road to business was past thu
store Of Mr.. Edwards,-but now he avoided thu
street in which he lived, and went q whole blocl
out of his way to do 81. I'D
How am l to pay this bill?' murmure the un
happy Jacobs, pausing in his work for the TWEEN
! tieth time. as he sat at his desk, and giving hi
a mind up to troubled thoughts.
just at this moment, the senior partner in th,
establishment came up and stood beside him.
We'll, my young FRIEND said be kindly, 'hov
I are you getting along!'
Jacobs tried to smilea and look cheerful as he re
piled
Pretty well SIR But his voice had in it a toucl
of dependency. #
Let me ses,' remarked the employer after
pause; your regular year is up to-day. is it not,'
Yes, SIR replied Jacobs. his heart sinking NOR
heavily in his bosom, for the question suggested
discharge from his place, -business having beer
dull for some time. E
4 was looking at your accoun. yesterday re
sumed his employer, and find that it is drawn u
to a close. Have you netbing ahsad?'
Not a dollar, am sorry to say returned ia
cobs, living is expensive, and l have six mouth
to feed.'
That being the cass.' said the employer, as 70,