Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-02-11


of the muscles of his face, as though he
would like to have concealed the grief that
bore him down, he took his seat at the ta-
BILE.
Poor Linnie watched her companion with
an anxiety almost agonizing; but she spoke
not word until after Anson had set back
from the table. The food replaned almost
untouched upon his plate which he moved
away, and he would have left the house
had not his wife stopped him.
Husband, said she, in soft, gentle tone,
at the same time laying her hand upon his
arm, and gazing imploringly into his face,
what is it that troubles you Z"
"Nothing Linnie," half fretfully return
ed he, and he made motion as if to re-
move his wife's hand from his arm.
aThere is something, Anson, l know
that there is. Come, do not keep it from
me-"
There is nothing that you need to
know"
But wife need know all that can af-
feet her husband thus. What is it, An
son ?"
1t is nothing but my own business, and
a wife need not know all that"
This answer was harsh and tears gushed
to Linnie's eyes.
Forgive me, forgive me Linnie-I
meant not TO wound your feelings. | am
very miserable and hardly know what |
said'
Then tell me all. Come, sit down in
my easy chair, for your brow is hot and fe-
verish. There--now tell me-"
After the young man had taken the prof
fered seat, he gazed for a moment into the
face of his wife, and look of deep an
guish rested upon his features.
Linnie," said be, l may as well tell
you all, but you must not chide me, nor
must you despond, for all is not as it-might
be. l am deeply in debt, and tomorrow
my shop and all that it contains, will be
advertised by the sheriff for sale"
" In debt" murmured the wife,
Yes. During the last two years have
been purchasing stock ON credit, and pay
ing for it as has been convenient. At first
it seemed an easy way of doing business,
but it has proved fatal for when re-
ceived the pay for my goods, / forgot, or
at least did not sufficiently heed, that all
the money was not mine. | forgot that
more than half the money l received be-
longed to the men of whom l had pur-
chased stock. Two notes fell due day be-
fore yesterday. The man to whom | gave
them sold them in way of business to a
western firm, and now they must be paid.
| Tomorrow an officer will be placed in my
shop, and nearly everything will have to
be sold. 1t is not the loss of my stock and
tools that care so much about, for | have
health and strength and can earn more, but
it is the disgrace of the thing. To think
that should fail like this -me--a healthy,
stout, good mechanic"
How much do you owe?" asked Lin
ME in trembling voice.
Both notes amount to four hundred
dollars =
And havn't you any part of it p"
"Only about fifty dollars that can col
lect readily"
And if these two notes were paid you
would be safe 2"
4" Eyes"
Then thank God, you will not suffer-"
exclaimed Linnie. And overcome by her
feelings, she sank upon her husbands neck
and burst into tears.
:" Linnie, Linnie," cried the young man,
what do you mean )?
Wait moment, my husband"
The wife brushed the tears from her
cheeks as she spoke and left the room, and
in few moments she returned, bearing in
her hand a small book. There was bright
smile upon her face, and her husband look
ed upon her with astonishment.
"Here my husband" said she stepping
to his side, and placing the book in his
hands, at the same time winding her arm
about his neck, :" if you carry that to the
bank they will give yon three hundred and
seventy-fiye dollars for it."
"Three hundred and seventy-five dol
lars {" repeated the astonished young man,
hardly crediting the evidence Of his own
senses.
"Yes, Anson,' returned theEife, sink
ing into her husbands lap. "That is mon-
ey that have been laying up during the
last three years."
:. You laid it up, Linnie ?" But where
could yol have got it ?
" You gave it to me yourself, to spend
for trihes. You know / have claimed my
share of such money. Do not blame me,
Anson, but feared that you did not at
tach sufficient importance TO the aggregate
of the small sums you were almost daily
spending. Once or twice l would have re-
nonstrated, but you could not easily be
made OF see it..
was but young girl, and feared to set
up against my husband, so l resorted TO
this means of proving my position. o my
dear husband, you cannot know what sweet
pleasure ! experience now in finding that
my experiment has been the means of do
ing such good"
"If your pleasure is equal to mine, then
you must be happy indeed exclaimed An
son as he drew his fond wife to his bosom.
/" God bless you, Linnie, and make me able
to repay you for this. Now | see to whom
you have owed the little debts you have
sometimes contracted, and which l have
helped you pay
Yes" returned Linnie with a smile.
" 1t was to you owed them. And yet"
Il