The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-09-17
NO. TT.

came in from the ponny post man. Sho
opened 1t without hesitation. Another bill
aud another duuning letter.
"Not paid! is it possible" sac repeated
the ejaculation. 1t was a bill for twenty
five dollars for CATERS aud slippers which had
been standing for three or four months.
"This will never do.' said she awakening
-"Never, no neyerw And she thrust tho
two letters into her pocket in IA resouta way.
From that time Mrs. Whiteman did au unu.
sual amount Of thinking for her little brain.
Sho saw, the moment that he entered that
the morning cloud had not passed from his
brow.
"lIcre's the money for the new Dress he
said taking a small roll Of bills from his vest
pocket, and handing them to Ada as he came
in. lie did not kiss hes HOr smile in tho
bright old way. Bat his voice was calm, if
not cheerful. \ kiss and a smile Just then
would have been more precious to the young
wife than a hundred silk dresses. She took
the money saying
''Thank you, dear. 1t is kind of you to
regard my wishe."
Something in Ada's vo'ce and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman TO lia his eyes with u
look Of in9uirey to his facs. But she turned
aside, SO that he could not read It's expires
sion.
lie was gravcr and more silent than usual,
aud ate with scrce any appearance of ap,
petite.
"Como home early, DEAR said Mrs.
Whitman, rs sho walked TO the dooi with
her husband after dinner.
"Are you impatient 70 have me admire
your new silk dreas?' he replied, with faint
attempt to smile.
"los. 1t viii he something Splendid"
she answered
He turned off from her quickly and left tn,
house. n few mHutes she stood, With tho't-
ful iace, her mind indrawn, her whole man.
ncr completely changed. Then she went TO
her room and commenced dressing to 20 out.
Two hours later aud We iind her in a Jew
clry store on Broadway.
"Can | say word 20 you?' She al
dressed the proprietor Of the store, who knew
her very we'll
"Ccrtainly." ho ropliod, or,l tlroy moved
to the lower end of the long show case
Mrs. Whitman drew from her watch pocket
Iady's watch and chain, and laying them on
the show case, said, at the same time holding
GU, The b!!! &!!c ha! taken ..oa. the ca:o!yp8
addressed to ber husband.
R CANNOT aHofd 10 wear thls watch; my
husbands circumstances are too limited. |
tell you 50 frankly. 1t should never have
been purchased, tut Il too indulge hus.
baud yielded to the opportunities of foolish
Young wife. | say this to take the blame
from him. No, sir meet this case in fairness
10 yourselves. Take back the watch and
say how much shall pay you besides
The jeweler dropped his eyes to think
The case to)k him little by surprise. lio
stood for nearly minute, then took the bill
aud watch and said.
"Wait a moment and went to a desk near
by.
"Will that do? He had come forward
again, and now presented her with receip-
ted bill His face wore pleasant expression
How mnch shan pay you'' n,kod Mrs.
Whitman, drawing out her ppket book.
Nothing. The watch is not defacel.
"fou have done kind act, sir, said Mrs.
Whileman, with feeling trembling her voice.
81 hope you will not think uutavorably of my
husband. It's no fault Of his that it has not
been paid. Good morning, sir
Mrs. VIII tman drew her veil over her face
and went with light steps and light heart
from The store. The pleasure she had expert
enced on receiving her watch was no to DO
compared with that now felt in parting with
il. From the jewelers. shc went to the boot
makers, and paid the bill of twenty-five
dollars; from thence to the milIiucl aud set.
tied for the last new bonnet.
IL know YOU re dyiag to see my new dress"
said Mrs. Whitman, gay as she drcw her arm
within that of her husband on his appearance
that evening. "Comc over to our bed room
and let me show it. Come along. Don't
hang back, Charles, as if you Were afraid
Charles Whitman went with his wife pas
sivcly looking more like a man on his way
to receive sentence than in expectation of Il
pleasant sight. He thoughts were bitter.
"Shall my Ado become lost to me Z" he
said in his heart--"lost to me in a world Of
folly, fashion and extravagaucc:'
"Sit down Charles" She I'D him to a
large cushioned chair. Her manner had uu-
dergone change. The brightness OF her
countenance had departed. She took some.
thing in hurried way from drawer, and
catching up footstooI placed it on the floor
near him, and look tcndcry and lovingly in
to his face Then she handed him the Jew
ecr's bill.
ut is rcceipted, you see Her voice fut,
tered little.
He flushed aud grew eager.
al returned the watch and Mr.. 4. receip-
ted the bill. would have paid for damage.
but he said it WAS uHujured, and asked Moth
ing"
"Oh, Adaw
"And this Is recciptcd, also; and this"
handing the other bills she had paid. "Anl
now, my dear she added quickly, show do
YOU like my new dress isn't it hrauliful?"
We leave the explanations and scenes that
followed, to the Imagination Of the rcadcr.--
If any fair Lady, however, who, like Ada, has
been drawng too heavily on her husbands
slender income for silks aud Jewels, it at loss
to realize the scene, let her try Ada's expert
ment. Our word for it she will iinl a new
and glad experience in life. Costly silks and
jewels may be very pleasant thnG,, but they
are too dearly bought when they como at tho
price Of husbands embarrassment, mental
Gisquietulc and alienation. Too often tho
gay young wife wears them IS the sign Of
these unhappy conditions. Tranquil hearts