The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-13
Sober second Thought.
By r. S. ARTHUR.

81 must 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 success.
Yes, sober as man on trial for his life.
Why its 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 viii it cost" inquired Mr..
Whitman. There was another effort to look
cheerful and acquiescent
about forty dollars" was answered, with
just little faltering in the lady's voice, for
for she knew the sum would sound extrava-
giant.
Forty dollars Why, Ada, do you think
Ian made Of money ?" Mr.. Whitman's
countanance underwent a remarkable change
Of expression.
81 declare, Charles" said his wife, a
little impatient,y, ''you look at me as if I
were an o niect Of fear instead of Affection
don't think this is kind Of you. I've only
had three silk dresses since we were mar
ried, while Amy Blight has had six or seven
during the same period, and every one Of
hers cost more than mine. know you
count rae extravayent, but wish you had a
wife like some women | could name.
rather think you'd find out the difference
before leag"
''There, there, don't talk to me after this
fashion I'll bring you the money at dinner
time, that is, if
"No ifs nor butts, if you please. The sent
ence is complete without them. Thank you,
dear I'll go this afternoon and buy the
silk. So don't fail to bring the money.
was in Slksins yesterday, and saw one of
the sweetest patterns ever laid my eyes on.
Just suits my style and complexion. l shall
be uncoasolab'c its gone. You won't dis
appoint me y
And Mrs Whitman laid her ssft white
hand on tie arm of her husband, and smiled
with sweet persuasion in her face.
"Oh, no. You shall have the money!
said Mr.. Whitman, turning of from his wife
as she thought, a little abruptly, and hur-
ried from her presence. In his precipitation,
he had forgotten the usual rrting kiss.
"Thats the way it is always" said Mrs.
w. her whole manner changing, as the
sound of the closing street door came jarring
upon her ears. "Just say money to Charles,
and at once there is cloud in the sky"
She sat down, pouting and half angry.
Forty dollars for a new dress r' mentally
circulated the husband Of vain, pretty, tho't-
less Mrs. Whitman, as she shut the door
after him, promised to settle Thompson IS
coal bill to.day-thirty three dollars but
dontknow where the money is to come from.
The coal is burnt up, and more must be
ordered. 0 dear I'm discouraged. Every
year fall behind hand This winter had
hoped to get little in advance, but if forty
dollar silk dresses are the order of the day,
there's an end to that dcvoutly to be wished
for circumstances. Debt-Debt How |
have always shrunk from it; but steadily,
now, it is closing its Briarian arms around
mo, and my constructing chest labors in
respiration. Oh. if | could but disentangle
myself now, while have the strength OF
my early manhood and the bands tina, hold
me are weak. II Ada could see as I see
if 1 could only make her understand rightly
my position Alas that is hopeless, fear
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps,
because his heart beat quicker, and his
thoughts were unduiy excited.
Not long time after Mr.. Whitman lef,
hons, the city postmaster delivered letter
to his address. His wife examined the wri-
ting on the envelope, which was in bold
masculine hand, and said to herself, as she
did so:
81 wonder who this can be from ~
Something more than curiosity moved her
There intruded on her mind vague feeling
Of disquiet as if the mssiye bore unpleasant
news for her husband. The stamp showed
it to be city letter few times, of late
such letters had come to his address, and
she had noticed that he read them hurredly
thrust them without a remark into his pock
ct, and become silent and sober faced.
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter over anc
over again in her hand, in thoughtful way
and rs she did 30, the image Other husband
ssShSF'f 'fSHSa xRa7 a7silent asziSes hSsi become 10