Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-08-24
Mi iSceIlany
From the Christian Repository.
JOHN FROST's WIFE.
BY HERMAN BIsBEE.

John Frost married at the age OF nineteen
years. There was nothing very remarkable
IN this fact, considered separately, but taken
with its connections. considering that he
married one of the best little women (littlc
women are not powerfully amIable) IN the
little town of NeWiane, where he lIv d /, and
considering furthermore, that hIs whole stock
in trade consisted OF a butcher-kniie and steel.
and a superficial knowledge Of the art OF
killing beeves and mutton all of which
stock in trade was left him by his father
deceased, and represented insolvent; and
considering. furthermore, that his mother
and three sisters were dependant upon him
for supper, and considering, furthermore,
that they lived IN the village, and had aiore-
time been accustomed to associate with the
best society, and really supposed themselves
possessed Of considerable means; and consld-
'iering still further, that John Frost's wife
brought to the establishment only a knowl-
edge of the millinery business. in place
where, for the year previous, she had only
succeeded by good management, in paving
her board-bill, and there was really some
thing serious, So at least people generally
thought, in John Frost's taking to himself
a wife at the perilous age of nineteen years.
Bot John Frost knew what he was about.
at least that was what he pretended, and [
should be the last man in the world to Ia ke
a circle away from my subject to prove TO the
contrary. Furthermore, it Is customary for
each one Of US. nowadays, Individually, to
believe that we know our own business quite
as well as anybody can tell us and ] am not
disposed to encroach upon the liberties OF
John Frost in particular, more especially, as
every man who knew him credited him with
an average Of common sense. Besides, success
Is always considered tho real test in such
cases, and as John Frost began to pick UP
from the day of bis marriage-at the end of
the first year little capital to do business on
at the end Of the second quite a large bal
Rnce in his favor on the beef look-at the
end of the third money at interest, it would
be hopeless task TO attempt to convict him
of lmprudence thatis, SO far as marrying al
the age Of nineteen years is concerned
And John Eros. had home Of his own
that is he had a warrantee deed of the prem
ises, and the village merchant who was kind
enough 10 sell him the land. and furnish
stock, and permit him 70 pay his help out oi
the store, had lien on IL for five hundred
dollars.
After they had paid tho last bill. and
signed the conditional conveyance TO the
merchant, Mrs John Frost said very quietly
that II she had known the expense she should
have much preferred living awhile loncar in
their old quarters. but then, the sisters wert
nightly pleased, and John Frost himselfCelI
confident that he could pay it up IN th,
course Of three years. There was one note O.
one hundred dollars due in one year, anC
two Of two hundred dollars each-one due il
two years, and the other in three. He wa!
su1e he should experience no difficulty il
meeting them.
Volh FROST had another very serious fail
Ing s'Ohough common one that Of letting hi
dcoO1Iys ~ run along carelessly from year L
9eaI' ne Kept book, but then, he WASH t d
Systematic nc oook-keeper, and only charged
anu cleul'eu no" and then an article swber
ne tnouSIl oI H. and kept the rest in hi
head. lie had been accustomed m that W.
OF dong business, and couldn't ve,v 1rai
break away from II, and adopt battsr r.
sides, it was well calculated to rleasa . -
list of his customers, and could be csr-;a5 e,
very well for year or 50 but dealing g.
S ries of years in this loose way, wifbon
"A settlement, left a large number with whom
settlement was very dlilcult.
At the END of the first wear the note the
duo was paid promptly. His expenses ha
largely increased, without any correspond
ing increase of income, but by hook or b
CROOK ne managed to save one hundred DO
lars TO pay the note. But there was thirt
dollars of interest money, OF which he ha
never thought lie declared he wouldn
have thought it would run UP so fast. bu
there 1t was, and be was under the necessit
OF sign ng another promise to pay. to &c
the hrst note
john Frost bsgan the next year with a ful
realization OF the responsibility that reste
upon his shoulders. He saw at once that
must increase his profits. or the snur httl
home must 60, and 10 increase his ur9fits h
essdyed TO do larger business, a pbilosonbi
cal course, to be sure, bat it uniortpnafe.
aappened, as il such cases il fre,uentl
does, that be lost on one drove. (fr he hn
actually taken TO driving cattle to Brighto
market,) all that he had made on several
and so when the next note became due, ht
hsdata dollar. ia the world 70 meet 1t, and