Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-04-14

than before. Scarcely day passed that
Mr.. or Mrs. Jacobs did not order some.
thing from the store, not dreaming, sim.
pie souls, that an alarming heavy debt
was accumulating against them.
As to the income Of Mr.. Jacobs, it was
not large. He was, as has been intimat-
ed, clerk in . Wholesale store, and receiv-
ed salary ofssven hundred dollars year.
His family consisted Oft wife aud three
children, and he had found it Necessary to
be prudent, in all his expenditures, in or
der to make bota ends meet Somewhat
independent in his feelings, he had never
asked credit Of any one with whom he
dealt, and, no one offering ii, previous to
the tempting inducement held out by Ed.
wards, he had regulated his outgoes by his
actual income. BY this means he had
managed to keep even with the world,
though not to gain any advantages on the
side Of fortune. Let US see how it is with
him at the end of SIX months, uuder the
credit system. Let US see if his good
credit, has been Of any real benefit to him.
1t was so very pleasant to have things
comfortable or for little display, without
feeling that the indulgence drained the
purse 100 heavily. And weak vanity on
the part Of Jacobs. was gratiied by the
| aattering opinions ofhis honesty entertain.
ed by Edwards, the storekeeper. His
credit was good and he was proud Of the
fact. But the day of reckoning was ap-
preaching, and at last it came
Notwithstanding the credit at the dry
goods store, there was 10 more money in
the young clerks purse at the end Of six
months than at the beginning. The cash
that would have gone for clothing, when
necessity called for additions to the fami.
ly wardrobe had been spent for things, the
purchase of which would be omitted. but
for the fact that the dollars were in the
purse instead Of in the storkeeper's hands
and tempted needless expenditure.
As the end Of the six months credit ap
preached, the mind Of Jacobs began to
rest upon the dry goods dealers bill, and
to be disturbed by a feeling Of anxiety
As to the amount Of this bill he was in
some uncertainty, but he thought that it
would not be less than forty dollars
This was large sum for him to owe, par.
ticuarly as he had nothing ahead, au d
his current expenses we're fully up to his
income. 1t was now, for the FIRST time in
his life, that Jacobs felt the nightmare
pressure of debt, and it seemed, at times,
as if it would almost suflocate him.
One evening he came home, feeling
more sober than usual. He had though
Of little else all day besides this bill at the
store. On meeting his wife he saw that
something was wrong.
What ails you, Jane? ? said he kindly.
Are you sick?
No. was the simple reply. But her
eyes dropped as she said it, and her hus-
band saw that her lips slightly quivered.
Something is wrong, Jane, said the
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 any
thing is wrong. Your manners alarm me.
Are any of the children sick p
o, no, no. Nothing Of that was quick
ly answered. 'But-but-Mr. Edwards
has sent in his BILL
That was to be expected, of course,
said Jacobs. with forced calmness. The
credit was for only six months. But how
much is the bill ?
His voice was unsteady as he asked the
question.
a hundred and twenty dollars I And
poor Mrs. Jacobs burst into tears.
'lmpossib'ef exclaimed the startled
husband. 'Impessib'e There il some
mistake. A hundred and twenty dollar,
Never
There is the bill. and Mrs. Jacobs drew
il from her bosom.
! Jacobs glanced earer'y ut the footing
mp OF the long column Of fsurss. 1h RI
wer" numerals 10 the value of enc hun.
dre1 anl twenty.
1T can't be- said he. in a troubled
voice. Edwards has made mistake
so ] thought when first looked at the
bill, replied Mrs. Jacobs. recovering her
self. vet speaking in sal voice But
I'm sorry 10 saw that it is all ,glt. ! have
been over ii aud over i, aglin, and cannot
fnd m error. O, dear how foolish have
been. i was 80 easy to get things when
no money was to be raid down. But
never thought OF a bill like this Never.
Jacobs sat for some moments with hi.
eyes upon the floor. He was thinking
rapidly.
80 much for good credit he said at
length, taking long breath what a
fool have been! That cunning fellow,
Edwards, has gone to the windward Of me
completely. He knew that il be got me-
on his books, he would secure three dollars
to one Of my money beyond what he would
get by the cash down system. One hun
drel and twenty dollars in six months |!
All, me are we happier now for the extra
dry goods we have procured? Not whit.
Our bodies have been better clothed, and
our love Of display gratified to some ex>