Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-06

why hadn't laid up anything. Bat never
mind, there's plenty time enough yet, and be-
sides we've enjoyed ourselves. l think after
this fishing excursion is over, however, shall
begin to dock my expenses little, for must
lay up something for the next year"
"We certainly have every chance TO save
money returned Llnnie, ,s'for the house and
shop without rent and we are free Of
debit
Anson Kmball started at that last remark
and turned his face toward the window, but
his wife did not appear to notice his emo
tions
s.You know, Anson,'' cautioned Mrs Kim
dollars when you went on another excursion:
and shall certainly hold you TO that promise.'
ssOf course that is fair,'' returned the man,
'sbut do you need it now 20
Yes
s'What are you going to do with it 70
s'You won't be offended 90
ssNo.''
''Then to tell you the truth, 1 owe little
sum-
The young man looked earnestly at his wife
and though he evidently wished to say some
thing about her running into debt, yet, for
reasons best known to himself, he kept quiet.
and handed over the five dollars. Anson join
ed his old shOpmates on their excursion, and
when he returned he thought some about be-
ginning to cut off some of his unnecessary ex
penses, but he introduced no new system of
operations. Once or twice he did refrain from
indulging some petty appetite, but soon he
settled back into the old trick, and the small
bits of money slipped away as fast ever.
Three years had passed away since the young
couple were married, and few could have wish
ed for more social comfort than they had
joyed during the greater part of that time.
For month or two, however, the young man
had been gradually more sober and thou ghtful,
at length he had become really sad and down
hearted. His wife had endeavored to cheer
him up though she was unable to learn the
cause of his detection.
One evening, just before dusk, Lnnie saw
two men pass her window and enter her hus-
bands shop. One of them she knew to be the
sheriff, and the circumstances troubled her not
a little. She waited half an hour for her hus-
band to come to supper, but he did not appear,
and her suffering began to be acute. a thou
sand conlectureS fitted through her mind, but
they brought her no consolation and at length
she determined TO go to the shop door and see
if she could not overbear some thing of what
was passing, feeling that such a course would
at least be pardonable.
Linnie stole out from her front door and
went towards the shop. She placed her
to the key hole and listened, but she could on
ly hear an indistnct hum of voices, among
which was that of her husband. The latter
was evidently supplicating, for his tone was
movement Of feet toward the door, and Lnnie
fastened back to the house and ere long her
husband entered. He looked pale and troubled
and with nervous movement OF the muscles
of the face, though he would have conceal
ed the grief that bore him down, he took his
seat at the table.
Poor Liunie watched her companion with
an anxiety almost agonizing, but she spoke
not a word until after Arson had sat back from
the table. The food remained almost untouch-
ed upon his plate when he moved away and he
would have left the house had not his wife
stopped him.
e.Husband,' she said in a soft. gentle tone,
at the same time laying her hand upon his arm
and gazing imploringly into his face, |what
is it that troubles you 2''
ssNothing, Linnie,' half fretfuly returned
he, as he made motion as if to remove his
wfe's hand from his arm.
s'There is something, Anson--I know there
is. Come do not keep it from me-,
'sThere is nothing that you need Know"
s'But wife need know all that can effect her
husband thus. What is it Anson i''
ssIt is nothing but my own business, ard
wife need not know all that
This answer was harsh, and the tears gushed
to LinnIe's eyes.
sMy dear husband,'' she said in tender ac-
cents, ''to whom, o, to whom, should you tell
your sorrows if not to her who loves you better
than life itself 2"
ssForgive me, forgive me, Linnie-I meant
not to'wound your feelings. l am very miser-
able and hardly know what l said.''
s.Then tell me all. Come sit down in my
easv chair for your brow is hot and feverish.
There-now tell me-"
After the young man had taken the proffered
seat be gazed moment into the face of his
wife, and look of deep anguish rested upon
his features.
eLinnie," he said, 81 may as well tell you
hut oI,i1 do,
despond, for all is not%o dark as might be.
am deeply in debt, and tomorrow my shop,
and all that it contains, will be advertised by
the sheriff for sale.''
sin debit murmured the wife.
eyes. During the last two years have been
purchasing stock credit, and paying for it
as it has been convenient. At first it seemed
an easy way of doing business, but il has prov
ed fatal for when | received the pay for my
goods forgot, or, at least did not sufficiently
heed, that all the money was not mine. | for
got that more than half of all the money re-
ceIved belonged to the men Of whom L had
purchased stock. Two notes fell due day be-
fore yesterday. The man to whom | gave
them sold them in the way of business to a
western firm, and now they must be paid. To-
morrow an officer viii be placed in my shop
and nearly every thing will have to be sold.
1t is not the loss of my stock and tools that |
care about, for have health and strength, but
it is the disgrace of the thing. To think that
should fail like this-me-a healthy, stout,
good mechanic
.sHow much do you owe ?'' asked Linnie in
a trembling voice.
ssBoth notes amount to four hundred dol
lars.''
ssAnd havn't you any part of it 9''
''Only about fifty dollars that can collect
readily"
ssAnd ifthese two notes are paid you would |
be safe 10
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