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

NOTk tue Hdruer IOr III Wueil come DdCk.
So may go, mayn't l."
The last sentence was spoken playfully,
and the young man kissed his wife as he
spoke.
"Of course you may" returned Linnie
with a smile, "but suppose l shall have to
do without the small sum wanted"
.How much was iii
"Five dollars"
"Oh you can have that, and more too if
you want it,
"Ihat will be enough"
Anson Kimball took out his wallet and
gave his wife five dollar bill, and the con-
versaiion then turned upon other and va
rious matters.
Anson Kimball was like thousands of
others situated in like circumstances. With
free and open heart, he marked out his
future for a field of enjoyment, without Ia
king care TO make much preparation for the
sum he might be likely to meet on the way
And then, again, like others, he mistook the
character of life's real enjoyment. He lost
sight of some of the higher and more no.
BILE sources of happiness, and dwelt too
much in the satisfaction of the physical ap-
petite. 1t is true he enjoyed himself, and
| kept clear of all extremes, but yet he failed
to see that his enjoyments were nearly all
ephemeral-that he was laying up little or
nothing for time to come.
A year passed away, and the annual fish
ing excursion came in course along.
"Well, Linnie," said the young man, ''to-
morrow the boys go down the harbor, and
| am going with them. OF course you
have no objection"
4 mo-" replied the wife in her usually
pleasant tone, ''if you can afford it."
"Oh, there's no trouble about that" re-
turned Anson.
"Don't you remember the conversation
we had year ago on this subject?" asked
Linnie.
"Yes, | remember that you talked about
saving money, but we are not any poorer
now than we should have been had staid
at home."
"But tell me Anson, have you laid up as
much during the past year as you had ex-
pected to ?"
"Wby, as to that matter, have not laid
up anything. The fact is, Linnie, you have
drawn rather harder on me than had ex-
pected."
But hav'nt spent any more money for
trivial affairs than you have Anson, and do
not think have so much"
81 did not mean TO blame you my dear !;
| | only mentioned the circumstance to ex-
plain why / had not laid up anything. But
never mind, there's time enough yet, and
besides we've enjoyed ourselves. / think
after this fishing excursion is over, howev-
er, shall begin to dock my expenses a lit
tie, for | must certainly lay up something
next year."
I'VE certainly have every chance to save
money!" returned Linnie, ,"for both the house
and shop are ours without rent, and we are
free from debt"
Anson Kimball started at this last re-
mark, and turned his face toward the win
dow; but his wife did not appear to notice
his emotion.
You know, Anson," continued Linnie,
"that | should have five dollars when you
went on another eXcursion--and | shall
certainly hold yop to that promise"
"Of course-that's fair" returned he, "but
do you need it now ?"
"Yes."
sYou won't be offended 2"
"No."
"Then to tell you the truth, owe little
sum-"
The young man looked earnestly at his
wife, as though he evidently wished TO say
something about her running in debt yet
for reasons best known to himself, he kept
quiet, and handed her over the five dol
lars.
Anson joined his old shopmates on their
excursion, and when he returned, he thought
some of beginning to cut off some of his
unnecessary expenses, but he introduced no
times lie DID refrain from indulging some
petty appetite, but he soon settled back in
to the old track, and the small bits of money
slipped away as fast as ever.
Three years had passed away siuce the
young couple were married, and few could
wish for more social comfort than they had
enjoyed during the greater part o. that
time. For month or two, however, the
young man had been gradually growing
more sober and thoughtful, until at length
he had become really sad and down-hearted.
His wife had endeavored TO cheer him up,
although she was unable to learn the cause
of his detection.
One evening just before dark, Linnie
saw two men pass her window and enter
her husbands shop. One of them she knew
to be the sheriff, and the circumstance trou-
bled her not litile. She waited half an
hour for her husband to come to supper, but
he did not appear, and her suffering began
to be acute. A thousand conjectures fitted
through her mind, but they brought her no
consolation, and at length she determined to
90 to the shop door and see if she could not
overhear something of what was passing
within, feeling that such a course would be
at least pardonable.
Linnie stole out from her front door, and
went towards the shop. She PLACED her
ear to the key-hoie, but could hear only an
indistinct hum of voices, among which was
that of her husband. The latter was evil
IDENTIFY supplicating. for his tones were ear
nest and impassioned. Soon there was a
movement of feet towards the door, and