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

"1must have it, Charles said the hand
some little wife OF Mr. Whitman. 80
don't put on that sober face
did put on a sober face? asked the
husband, with an attempt to smile that
was anything but a success.
@Yes, sober as q man on trial for life.
Why,its as long as the moral law. There,
dear, clear it up, and look as if You had
st least one friend in the world. What
money lovers you men are
How much will it cost? inquired Mr..
Whitman. There was another effort to
look cheerful and acquiesceEt.
About forty dollars,' was answered,
with just a little faltering in the lady's
voice, for she knew the sum would seem
extrayagant.
Forty dollars Why, Ada, do you
think am made of money? Mr.. Whit
mans count enance underwent rem0rkn-
bic change of expression.
4 declare, Charles, said his wife, a little
iupatiently, you lock at me as if were
an object of fear instead of affection. |
don't thlnk this kind of you; I've only
had three silk dresses since we were mar
ried. 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
wife 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 }ashior. I'll bring you the money
at dinner time, that is, if
sNeifs or butts, if you please. The SEM
] tence is complete without them. Thank
you. dear I'll 90 this afternoon and buy
the silk. SO don't fail to brink the money
was in at Silkskin s yesterday, and saw
ono 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
5 on the arm of her husband, and smiled
with sweet persuasion in his face.
sO.no. You shall have the money"
said Mr.. Whitman, turning off from his
wife, as sic thought, a littIo abruptly, and
!. hurried from her presence.
h That The way it is always said Mrs.
Whitman, hcrwhole manner changing, as
I. the sound of the closing street door came
q jarring upon her ears. Just say money
/. TO Charles, and at once there is cloud in
the sky
II She sat down pouting and half angry.
y Forty dollars for a new dress! men
tally calculated the husband of vain, pret
4 ty Mrs. Whitman, as she shut the door
after him Il promised to settle Tho GOA
bill 10. .dav - thirty-,hree dollars but
don't know where the money is to come
!. from. The coal is burnt up, and more
must be ordered. 0, dear! I'm disoour-
aged. Every year fall Jehindhand
This winter did hope TO get a little i,
\ advance but if rorty-dollar silk dresses a!t
Z the order of the day, there is an end tc
. that devoutly to Je wished for ci:cum
/ stance. Debt-debt! How always have
shrunk from it; but steadily now it i
closing its Briarian arms around me, an'
ny co: fictng chest labors in respiration
: Oh, if could out disentangle myself now
while have the strength of early man.
! hood. and while the bonds that hold M
are weak. If Ada could only see rs ! see
\ ii ! could only make her understand m!
position. Alas that is hopeless, l fear.
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps
n because his heat beat quicker and hi
|. thoughts were unduly excited.
MOI long after Mr.. Whitman left th'
. house, the city postmaster delivered
letter to his address. His wife examined
Y the writing on the envelope, which wa
" in bold, masculine hand and said tt
= herself:
wonder who this can be from?
y Something more than curiosity movet
. her, There intruded on her mind feel
Y jngof disquiet as il the missive bore un
b pleasant news FOR her husband. Tn
: stamp Showed it lobe city letter. A iey
N times Of late such letters came to his ad
I dress, and she had noticed that he ha
V read Them hurriedly, thrust them withou
n remark into his pocket, and became siler
!, and sober faced.
~ Mrs. Whitman TUNED the letter ovC
y and over again in ! ar hand, in though
~ y ulway, and as she did 50 the image
VI her husband, sober faced and silent as
had become for most of the time OF lat
4 presented itself with unusual vividnes
+ awakening sympathy in her heart
- Poor Charles p she said, as the feelin
Tp increased l am afraid somethingi is goin
Wx0nr with him.