Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-09
THE TRADEsMAN,S CRISIS

O0o, mary NolVon, the soul and sunshine
oil her parental home, was entertaining the
very serious intention of leaving it-s.How her
father and mother will ever bring their minds
TO part with her, 1 cans think" was the some
what concerned remark of neighbor, and here
our story must proceed in the words Of nsrra-
tor Poor Mary, herself, felt it would be q
very, very hard thing to leave the dear little
cottage in which she had passed so many happy
days, and above all, to live no longer under
the same roof with her parents But then she
loved Edward Norris very much, and she was
sure he would be good, kind husband, for he
had always been so steady, and such dutiful
son and afectionate brother" And so hope
chased the tear from Mary's eye, and the pass
ing pang from her heart
1t was the eve Of her wedding day, and she
was sitting in the arbor, talking with Edward
about their future plans and prospects They
making preparations for the next day, and
Mr. Norton was out.
MARY, dear" said Edward, 'sI'm so afraid
you won't be able to reconcile yourself to liv-
ing In town, after being used all your life, to
tP this pretty, quiet cottage. c is such a
bustllng place, too; great deal more 30 than
l.. 1t will make such a CHANGE
Never fear, Edward" replied Mary, sI
think could make myself happy anywhere,
with some to love; and besides / shall find so
much TO do, that shall have no time to waste
upon discOntented musings"
full, that Edwards misgivinys passed awsy.
and ne thought if love could make her happy,
II should not be wanting. He was rather dis
posed to be desponding, and cast down by diff
hcultIes; but, since his engagements with Mary,
he had been often reassured by her calm.
nopeiul spirit, and cheered by her encourag-
ing words.
The next day they were married, and in
week were settled in their new home at C
There Mary found las she had said) plenty to
employ her time and thoughts. Edward (wbo
had served his apprenticeship to bookseller
and stationer, was now a shopman in the es-
tabllshment, and was much esteemed by the
principal OF the concern for his uniform stead
mess and attention to business. His house was
near the shop, so that he always came home to
ms meals; and very comfortable meals they
were, for Mary was an excellent housewife
and though they had only slender income.
she was determined that what they had should
be laid out to the best advantage, as far as she
was concerned Edward loved his wife dearly
and increasingly, and he had reason to do so;
for good wife is from the Lord" and is
among the most precious and valuable of His
earthly gifts. And Mary was a good wife in
the best sense of the word; for she was a Chris
tan, and had learned to make the Word of
God her guide and counsellor, believing that
the Lord alone could enable her faithfully and
diligently to perform her new duties, Regu-
lated and controlled by Divine grace her nat
urally cheerful temper was a constant source
OF enjoyment, both to herself and her husband.
and to all who came within the sphere of its
influence.
Five years passed away, and Mary WAS the
mother Of three children, while death had de-
priyed her of her kind, good psrents Edward
had taken a small shop in a country town.
few miles from C, and had commenced bu-
siness for himself. But he soon found that
young tradesman has many difficulties and
struggles to surmouDt before he can be fairly
established Instead of the small but certain
salary which he had hitherto punctuaIIy re-
ceived, he found that there were considerable
expenses to meet in stocking and altering the
shop, while Mt the same time the returns were
scanty and uncertain. What could he do2 He
dreaded getting into debt, which he had hith-
erto scrupulously avoided. The only aIterna-
tive seemed TO be to retrench their expenses
and yet he hardly knew how to do that, since
they had already lived as prudently and eco
nomically as possible. Their present est tblish-
ment consisted of himself and wife, three chill
dren, tall very yOung,) an experienced servant
who had lived with them ever since their mar
rlsge, young girl who acted as nurse and n
shopboy. Ii seemed to Edward out of the aues-
tiOn to part with one Of their three assistants.
and yet there appeared no other way Of saving
Mary had but recently recovered from her lsst
confinement, and he was unwilling to distress
her With fears that perplexed his own mind
1t was late one evening, when, after having
closed his shop for the night, he entered their
and cloud on his brow, which he could not
conceal from his wife's observant eye
"lou are not well tonight, Edward" :" said
she, tenderlyi you look tired and worn out,''
"A little tired, perhaps, but I'm quite well. ~
he answered, endeavoring, but Intellectually, to
brighten up. :"
Well, try and forget business. and all its
cares, said Mary, cheerfully II want to finish
this little frock ts-night; do come and read 10
me- should 50 enjoy it" -
With a melancholy smile be complied with
ms vile regs st, and taking a book from tbe
shelf. bsga o read. But the words fell me-
ehanically from his lips while other thoughts
crowded into bis mind He looked at the bsbv
in the cradle by Msrys side, and he remeu-
bered the other two children who were asleep
up stairs Here was an increasing family, and
consequently Increasing expenses; while at the
same time he appeared to be losing ground
every day.
AT last his wife suddenly put her hand on his
arm and said, Dear Edward, what is the
matter, L am sure something disturbs you do
seeing you look so miserable without knowing
the resson.''
Thus urged, Edward was obliged at last TO
reveal the cause of his abstraction
Mary attentlvely listened till he had conclu-
oed, and taking his hand, she said, affection
ateiy, "Poor, dear Edward, you have been
breeding over your troubles in secret, till can
venture to say, things appear a great deal
worse than they really are You are mot in
debt, you say, at PRESENT.
No; thank God ~ replied Edward, ear
nestly. . But then, Mary, love, if we cannot
m,nAge to save, some way we shall get into
debt, that is, unless my business brings in
more than it does now
" Then let US begin 10 save at Ones ~ said
Mary energetically- -r
- Bat in what way can We do 80 p, asked
hl"ard- We are not living extravagantly
~ any respect don't see, at present, in
what way we ram retrench.''
-, L We tAoug ght Of several ways, already"
Sald Mary, smiling, and looking 50 hopeful and
hsPpy that the mere sight Of her bright, ami
mated cOuntenance raised her husband "a spir.
ITS, and made him feel more sanguine than be
had done Tor masy days past r
ihen followed long Conversation carried
on IN a low voice, interspersed occasionally
win SIGH from Edward, followed by an en-
eOuraging word from his wife
Next morning Mary rose full of her new
plans for saving and eoonomizing Her young.
est child was only sax yeeks ola ,b. %,