Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-03-06
THE SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.


some little wife OF Mr.. Whitman. So
don't put on that sober face'
Did Iput on sober faceP asked the
husband, with an attempt to smile thai
was anything but success.
Yes, sober as man on trial for life
Why, it's as long as the moral law. There
dear, clear it up, and look as if you had
at least one friend in the world. What
money lovers you men are
How much will it cos? +? inquired Mr..
Whitman. There was another effort to
look cheerful and acquiescert.
About forty dollors,' was answered,
With just a little faltering in the lady's
voice, for she knew the sum would seem
extravagant,
Forty dollars! Why, Ada, do you
think am made of money! Mr.. Whit
mans countenance underwent remarka-
bic change of expression.
4 declare, Charles, said his wife, little
impatiently, you lock at me as if were
an object of fear instead of affection. |
don't think this kind of you I've only
had three silk dresses since we were mar>
red. Amy Blight has had six or seven
during the same period, and every one Of
hers cost more than mine ! know you
think me extravagant, but wish you had
awife like some women | could name.
rather think you'd find out the difference
before long
There, there. pet, don't talk to me in
that fashion, I'll bring you the money
at dinner time, that is, if
No ifs or butts, if you please. The sen,
tence is complete without them. Thank
you. dear! III 60 this afternoon and buy
the silk. So don't fail 10 brink the money
was in at Silkskin IS yesterday, and saw
one of the sweetest patterns ! ever laid
eyes on. just suits my complexion. |
shall be inconsolable if it's gone. You
won't disappoint me?'
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft hand
on the arm Of her husband, and smiled
with sweet persuasion in his face.
20, no. You shall have the money"
said Mr.. Whitman, turning off from his
wife, as she thought a little abruptly, and
hurried from her presence.
That's the way it is always! said Mrs.
Whitman, her whole manner changing, as
the sound of the closing street door came
jarring upon her ears. just say money
10 Charles, and at once there is a cloud in
The sky
She sat down pouting and half angry.
Forty dollars for a new dress! men
tally calculated the husband of vain, pref
B Mrs. Whitman, as she shut the door
after him. Il promised to settle The coal
bill to-day - thirty-three dollars - but
don't know where the money is p come
from. The coal is burnt up, and more
must be ordered. 0, dear! Pm discour-
aged. Every year | fall behindhand.
This winter did hope to get little il
ADVANCE but if forty-dollar silk dresses aye
the order of the day, there is an end to
that devoutly to be wished for ciTcum-
stance. Debt-debt! How always have
shrunk from it; but steadily now it is
closing its Briarian arms around me, and
ny conflicting chest labors in respiration,
Oh, if could but disentangle myself now,
while have the strength of early man
hood, and while the bonds that hold me
are weak. If Ada could only see as sec
i could only make her understand my
position. Alas, that is hopeless, fear,
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps,
because his heart beat quicker and his
thoughts were unduly excited.
Not long after Mr.. Whitman left the
house, the city postmaster delivered a
letter to his address. His wife examined
the writing on the envelope, which was
in bold, masculine hand, and said to
herself
Il wonder who this can be lromY
Something more than curiosity moved
her. There intruded on her mind feel
ing Of disquiet as il the missive bore un-
pleasant news for her husband. The
stamp showed it 10 be city letter. A few
times Of late such letters came to his adj
dress, and she had noticed that he had
read them hurriedly, thrust them without
Remark into his pocket, and became silent
and sober faced.
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter over
and over again in ! er hand, in thought
ial way, and as she did SO the image OF
her husband, sober faced and silent as he
mad become for most of the time OF late,
presented itself with unusual vividness,
awakening sympathy in her heart.
Poor Charles = she said, as the feeling
IL \ r. 4 H., 20 ya,p IN