The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-03-22

gong wrong WIN MIN.
Placing the letter on the mantle. piece,
where he could see i, when he came in.
Mrs. Whitman entered upon some house.
hold duties. but strange impression rs Of
a weight lay on her hesrt---a sense Of
impending eVil--a vague, troubled dis.
turbance Of her usual selfsalisfaclion.
II the thoughts of Mrs. Whitman re-
cured, as was natural, TO the elegant silk
dress Of which she was TO become the
owner on that day, she did no: feel the
proud satisfaction her vain heart expert
ence6 only short while before. Some.
thing OF its beauty had faded.
"lf | only knew what ihat letter con-
iained." she said half an hour after it had
come N, her mind still feeling the press.
ure which had come down upon it so
strangely, as il seemed 10 her.
She went to the mantle piece, took up
the letter, and examined the superscrip.
ton. II gave her TO light. Steadily it
kept growing upon her that its contents
were Of nature to trouble her husband
Giles been little mysterious Of late,"
ohe said TO herself. This IDEA affected
her yely unpleasantly. "IIc grows more
silent and reserved" she added, as
thought, under i:;cd Of fevcrish excite.
ment, became active in cew cireciiou.--
More indrawn, as it were, aGca less in
tercsted in what goes on around hnH.-
His GOODNESS chIlls me at times, and his
irritation hurts me-"
She drew long, deep sigh. Then
with an almost startling vividness came
before her mind in contrast, her tender,
loving, cheerful husband of three years
before, and her quiet, silent, sober. faced
husband Of to-day.
'Somelhing has gone wrong with him."
she said aloud, as the feeling grew
stronger. "What can it be ?"
The ,etter was in her hand
"This may give me light" And with
careful fingers she opened the envelope,
not even breaking the paper, so that she
ould seal it again il she desired to do so.
There was bill for sixty dollars, and a
communication from the person sending
the bill. lie was jeweler.
ali this bill is not settled at once" he
wrote, IL shall put the account in suit. II
has been standing for over year, and
am tired Of getting excuses instead Of the
money"
The bill was for lady's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled her
husband to purchase.
"Not paid for Is it possible ?" ex.
claimed The little woman in blank aston
ishment, while the blood mounted 10 her
forehead. .-. .-s.......
Then she sat down to think. Light be.
gan 10 come into her mind. AS she sat
thus thinking, a second letter for her hus-
band came in from The penny post. She
opened it without hesitation. Another
bill and another dunning letter.
"Not paid! is ii possible!" She repeated
the ejaculation. Ii was bill of twenty
Eve dollars for CATERS and slippers,
which had been standing for three or four
months.
"rhis will never do" said the awaken
ing wife, "never-no, never!" and she
thrust the two letters ino her pocket in a
resou;e way. From that hour until th e
return of her husband at dinner time,
Mrs. Whitman did an unusual amount OF
thinking for her liIllo brain. She saw,
the moment he entered, that the morning
cloud had not passed from his brow.
"llere is the money for that new dress,
he said, taking h small roll Of bills from
his vest pocket, and handing them TO Ada
as he came in. He did no: kiss her nor
smile in The old bright way. But hi.
voice was calm, il not cheeful A kiss
and smile just then would have been
more precious TO the young wife than a
hundred silR dresses. She took the money,
saying;
THANK you, dear! 1t is kind Of you
10 regard my wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman 10 raise his eyes,
with look of inquiry, to her face. But
she turned aside, SO that he could not
read its expression.
He was graver and more silent than
usual and ale with scarcely an appearance
of appetite.
"Como homo carly, DEAR" said Mrs.
Whitman, as she walked to the door with
hor husband, after dinner.
Are you inpatient to have mo admire
your now dress :" ho replied, with faint
effort TO smile.
Yes. il will be something splendid" she
answered.
Ho turned from hor quickly. and loft the
| house. A fow momoDts sho stood, with a
thoughtful face, her mind indrawo, and her
whole manner completely changed. Thon
she went to hcr room and commenced dress
ing to 90 out
Two hours later and wo fad her in q
jowelry storo on Broadway.
Can say word to you:' She addressed
the owner of the store, who know her very
we'll.
Certainly" he ropliod, and they moved
to tho lower end of the long showcase.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket u
lady'S watch aud chain, and laying thom on
tho showcase said, at the same time hold.
Ing out the bill she had taken from tho en-
velope, addressed to her husband
IL cannot afford to wear this watch; my
husbands circumstances are too limited.
tell you so frankly. 1t should mover havo
been purchased, but too indulgent husband
! yielded to the opportunities of q foolish
young wife. say this to take the blame
from him. Now, sir, meet tho case. if you
can do so in fairness to yourself Take
back tho watch, and say how much shal!
pay you hosides."
Tho joweller dropped his oyos to think
| The caaa ioOk him n littla nv auFnrisa He