The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-11
ooUDERsPoRT, COUNTY Pa THURSDAY JULY H. 1861

dollars were in the purse instead of in the
store keepers hands AID tempted need,
less expenditures
The end of the six months credit ap-
preached, and the mind of Jacobs began
to rest upon the dry goods dealers bill,
and to be disturbed by feeling of anxi-
ETY.. As to the amount of this bill he
was in some uncertainty, but he thought
it could lot be less than forty dollars
That was large sum for him to owe,
particularly as he had nothing ahead, and
current expenses were fully up to his in
come. 1t was now, for the first time in
his life, that Jacobs felt the nightmare
pressure of debt, and it seemed as though
it would crush him.
One evening be came home feeling
more sober than usual He had thought
of little else all day except his store bill.
On meeting his wife, lie saw that some
thing was wrong.
"What ails you Jane? Are you sick 2"
said he kindly.
No" was the simple reply. But her
eyes dropped as she said it, and her hus-
band saw that her lips slightly quivered.
II know something is wrong, Jane"
said her husband.
Tears stole to the wife's cheeks from
beneath the half closed lids-her bosom
labored with the weight of some pressure.
"Tcll me Jane" urged Jacobs, "if any
thing is wrong. Your manner alarms me.
Are auy of the children sick ?"
"Oh, no, no. Nothing of that" was
the quick reply, "but-but-Mr. I'd
wards has sent in his bill"
That was to be expected, of course"
said jacobs, with forced calmness. The
credit was for only six months. But how
much is the bill 2?
His voice was unsteady as he asked
the question.
A hundred and twenty dollars ?; and
poor Mrs. Jacobs burst into tears.
Impossiblew p exclaimed the startled
husband. " Impossible! there is some
mistake. A hundred and twenty dollars
Neverw
"There is the BILL" and Mrs. Jacobs
drew it from her bosom.
Jacobs glanced eagerly at the footing
up of the column of figures. There were
numerals to the value Of one hundred and
twenty.
at can't be, Edwards must have made
a mistake" he said in a troubled voice.
SO | thought when | first looked at
the BILL" replied Mrs Jacobs, recovering
herself, yet speaking in a sad voice" But
am sorry to say that it's all right !
have been over it and over it again, and
cannot find an error. Oh dear, how fool
ish [ have been. It was so easy to get
goods when no money was to be paid
down. But I never thought Of a bill like
this Never!'
Jacobs sat for some minutes with his
eyes upon the floor. He was thinking
rapidly.
$50 much for good credit" he said
at length, taking long breath. "That
fellow, Edwards, has gone to the wind
ward Of me completely. He knew that
if he got me on his book, he would secure
three dollars to one of my money, beyond
what he would get by the cash down sys-
TEN. One hundred and twenty dollars
in six months. All, are we happier now
for the extra dry goods we have procured !?
Not a whit. Our bodies have been a lit
tie better clothed, and our love of display
graifed to some extent But has all
that wrought compensation for this day
Of reckoning Z"
Poor Mrs. Jacobs was silent Sadly
was she repenting of her part in the folly
they had committed.
Tea time came but neither husband
nor wife could do much more than taste
food. That bill for hundred and twen-
ty dollars had taken away their appetites.
The night that followed brought to nei
ther of them very refreshing slumber
and in the morning they awoke sober
minded, and little inclined for converse
ton. But the thought in the mind of
Mr.. Jacobs, was the bill of Mr.. Edwards;
and the one feeling in the mind of his
wife-self-reproach fer her part in the
work of embarrassment.
"What will you do?" SAID Mrs. ia
cobs, in voice that was unsteady, look
ing into her husbands face with glisten-
ing eyes, as she laid her hand upon his
arm, causing him to pause as he was
about leaving the house.
| am sure l don't know" replied the
young man gloomily, 81 shall have to
see Edwards, | suppose, and ask him to
wait. But ! am sure I'd rather take
horse whipping. Good credit! He'll
sing different song now"
For moment or two longer the hus-
band and wife stood looking at each 9TH
er. Then as each sighed heavily, the
former turned away and left the house.
His road to business was past the store Of