Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-25
The Torn Pocket .

MY dear, said Mr.. Huston 10 MS young
wife, as he arose from the breakfast table, VI
wish you would mend my overcoat pocket.
The day is pleasant so that 1 can leave my
coat off without Inconvenience"
Every WELL my love-" was the reply, and a
moment after, the front door closed upon the
husband, who departed TO the store where he
filed the place of responsible clerk.
Mrs Huston rose to attend her domestic
affairs, and occupied in them, soon forgot the
torn pocket. About noon, she had finished
her work, and having spare hour before
dinner, she sat down and took up late
novel. In this she continued to overlook
the torn pocket until the meal was over, and
her husband again left the honse when going
10 look for the overcoat she found that he
had put il on, the weather having grown
colder.
"Oh! well, it will do tonight" said the
wife. II suppose he will scold when he finds
] forgot it; but it can't be helped now"
Truth was, Mrs. Huston was what is called
"a good easy woman" that is she never in
sentionally harmed any one, but was only
thoughtless and forgetful; her sins were those
of omission. She found no difficulty in dis
missing all uncomfortable thoughts concern
ing the torn pocket, and resumiug her novel,
she was soon in the miseries of the heroine.
About dusk there came ring at the bell.
II was magnetic ring, as it were, and ex-
pressed anger and great tribulation, II not
both. 1t made the somewhat nervous Mrs.
Houston start with a little shrek. She
stopped reading and listened.
Directly the servant opened the door and
the step of the husband was heard, but
heavier and quicker than usual. Her heart
unaccounta1ly began to beat faster. ''Oh
dear," she cried to herself what can be the
matter? ?"
She was not long left in doubt. Her hus-
.,,Na fln ottA
emotions of rage and suffering alternating
perceptlby in his face. Frightened ut de-
meanor so unusual, the wife looked up, her
lips parted in terror, unable TO welcome him
as usual,
"See what you have done r. cried Mr.
Huston, passionatey, taking off his overcoat,
and turning the torn pocket inside out, and
throwing the garment into the hearers lap,
"you have ruined me with your negligence"
"What have done?" gasped the wife.
"Has anything happened?n
"AnythiLg happened? Didn't tell you
was ruined? bave lost $780, and been dis
charged because lost it, and all because you
didn't mend my pocket Nor is it the first
time, as you know, that you have neglected
to do what you ought. You are always for
getting. have often told you that you
would rue it some day."
"But how did it happen? Can nothing
be donep timidly said the wife, after a
while.
"How did it happen? In the most natural
way possible. | had a note to pay from the
firm In this part of the town. | brought the
money up to dinner, and upon going out, pul
it in my overcoat pocket supposing that you
had mended the rent. When | reached the
Bank the money was gone. 1t was then
nearly three clock. Almost frantic, came
back within a few steps OF the door, hoping
to nd ha ha oanf. xva
madness, as l might have known. / looked
again and again. asking everybody met. Al
last went back to the store. But the news
had preceded me. The notary had already
been there to protest the note; and my em-
ployers would not hear one word Of excuse.
| was discharged on the spot"
As he ceased speaking, he threw himself on
a chair by the table, and buried his face in
his shands. His discharge was indeed a ter
rible blow. Without fortune or anything to
depend on but his character, he saw, in the
loss of his place, and consequent refusals OF
his employers to recommend him, future
full of disasters And for what? All because
his wife could not remember the simplest
duty.
No wonder in this hour Of trouble that ht
turned away from her and buried his face in
his hands. No wonder that he felt angry
at her, the author of all his evil
For while Mrs. Huston knew not what t
do. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she
feared TO approach her husband. "He will
drive me away" she said TO herself "But
have deserved il all"
AT last she ventured TO approach him, aut
at last he was induced 10 listen. With man,
tears she promised never TO be neglectfu
again. at has been a lesson 10 me, " said she
(which will never forget"
Nor has she forgotten it. Years are past
and the Illusions are now comparatively wei
of, for after while Mr. Huston obtainet
another situation, and finally became partne
in the house, ni
But to this day, when the wife sees eithe
Of her daughters negligent, she calls th,
offender TO her, and tells a warning story o
the torn pocket