Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-01-31


desired TO do 40. Tiere was bill for sixty dol
lars. and communication from tho person send
ing the BILL lie was a jcweler
'lf this Is not settled at once" hc wrote. al
shall put the account Ia suit IL has been stand.
ing for over year. aud am tired Of getting es
cuses instead Of my money"
The bill was for the lady's watch, which Mrs.
Whitman had almost compelled her husband to
purchase
"Not paid for. l. il possiblel" exclaimed the
little woman IN blank astonshment, while the
blood mounted 70 her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light began 20
come into her mind As she sat thinking, a
second letter for her husband came in from the
penny pos,man. She opened it without hesita.
ton. Another bill and another dunning letter!
mot paid Is it possiblo7' She repeated
the ejaculation. 1t was bill of twenty-five dol.
lars for gaiters and slippers, which had been
standing for three or four months.
"Ths will never do" said the awakening wile
--'never--no, never! And In resolute way,
From that hour until the return of her husband
at dinner time. Mrs. Whitman did an unusual
amount OF thinking for her little head She
saw the very moment he entered that the morn
ing cloud had not passed from his brow.
"Ilerc is the money for the new dress" he
said, taking a small roll OF bills from his vest
pocket, and handed them to Ada, us he came in.
lie did not kiss her, nor smile in the old way.
But his voice was calm, if not cheerful A kiss
or smile just then would have been more
precious to the young wife than hundred silk
dresses. She took the money, saying.
"Thank you, dear 1t is kind of YOU to regard
my wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and manner caused
Mr. Whitman TO lift his eyes with look of in
quiry into her face. Bat she turned aside, so
that he could not read its expression.
He was grave and more silent than usual, and
eat with scarcely any appearance of appetite.
"Come home early, dear" said Mrs. Whitman,
as she walked to the door with her husband after
dinner.
care YOU impatient to have me admire your
new silk dress" he replied, with n faint effort
to smile
"Yes. 1t will be something splendid" she
answered.
He turned off from her quickly, aud left the
house. A few moments she stood, with
thoughtful face, her mind indrawn. and her
whole manner changed. Then she went to her
room and commenced dressing to 20 out.
Two hours later and we find her in jewelry
store Broadway.
"Can say word with you'' She spoke to
the owner of the store, who knew her very we'll.
"Ccrtainly," he replied; and they moved TO
the lower end of one of the long show
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket ladys
watch and chain, and laying them on the show
case. said, at the same time holding out the bill
she had taken from the envelope addressed to
her husband
al can not afford TO wear this watch; my hus-
bands circumstances are too limited. tell you
so frankly. 1t should never have been purchased,
but a too inaulgent husband yielded to the i'm
portunities of very foolish young wife. say
this to take the blame from him. Now, sir, meet
the case if you can DO in fairness to yourself.
Take back the watch, and say how much shall
pay you beside
The jewcler dropped his eyes to think. The
case took him a little by surprise. Tie stood for
nearly a minute; then taking the bill and watch,
he said:
by.
"Wil that dol" lie had come forwa again,
and presented her with the bill rcceipted.
His face wore pleasant expression.
"How much shall l pay you7" asked Mrs.
Whitman, drawing out her pocket book.
"Nothing. The watch is not defaced''
You have done a kind act, sir, said Mrs.
Whitman, with feeling trembling in her voice.
Il hope YOU will not think unfavorably of nv
husband. It's no fault OF his that this bill has
not been paid. Good morning, sir"
Mrs. Whitman drew her veil over her face and
went, with light step and light heart, from
the store. The pleasure she had experienced on
receiving her watch was not to be compared xith
that now felt at parting with it. From the Jewell
er's she went to the bootmake and paid the bill
of twenty five dollars; from thence to the mllin-
er's, and settled for her last bonnet
al know you're diving to see my Dress"
said Mrs. Whitman gaily. as she drew her arm
within that of her husband on his appearance
that evening. "Come over to our bed room, and
let me show it. Come along. Don't hang
back, Charles, rs if YOU were afraid"
''Shall my Ada become los: to me-, he said
in his heart--"lost 10 ME in world of follv.
fashion and .xtravag gancei"
'.Sit down. Charles" She led him to a large
cushioned chair Her manner had undergone a
change. The brightness Of her countenanee had
departed. She took something. in hurried way
from a drawer. and catching Up foot.tool,
placed it the floor him, and sitting down,
leaned upon him, and looked tenderly and
lovingly into his face. Then she handed him the
jewelers. bill.
''It is a receipt, you sec" Her soice fut,ered
little.
ada. how is this What does it mean7"
tie flushed and grew eager.
81 returned the watch, AMI Mr.. R receipt
ed the bill. | would have paid for damage. but
he said i. was uninjared and asked nothing"
"Oh, Ada.'
"And this is reccipted also; and this" hand
ing the Other bills which she had paid And
now, DEAR" she added, quickly. show do YOU
like my dress Isn't it beautiful"
We leave the explanation and scene that fol-
/ lowed. TO the readers imagination. If any fair
lady: however, who, like Ada, has been drawing
too heavily on her husbands slender income for