The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-02-07

4
for happy marriage in the city of New York,
and preferred celibacy 10 the embarrassmens
which he saw hundreds OF friends encounter 10
their attempts 10 live in style out of all proper
ton 10 their resources g. am sorry for you,"
he repeated 'sout it you will bend your neck
| to the yoke, you must not complain of the bur-
den you will find yourself compelled to bear"
Strange as it may appear, the young clerk,
Henry Adrian, had never before looked this
matter OF income, expenditure, and style OF lv-
ing, fair in the 'front.' The actual aspect OF the
case, when clearly seen, threw his mind into
state of troubled bewild-rment. He went over
| and over again the calculations suggested BY
Mr.. Blair, book-keeper in The establishment
where he was employed, cutting off little
from one proposed expenditure and another, but
no, being able TO get the cost OF living downto
the range OF his salary, except when til. style
wai so far below that 10 which his wife must
move, that he turned half sick from its con,em.
pation. The more steadily he looked at the
I truth, the more heavily came the pressure oi
its stony weight upon his heart; to go forward
was little less than madness, and yet how could
he hold back now?
'Rosa sat alone, reading, in one ol her un-
/
| later than usual, so late that the book began to
lose its interest, and at last lay closed upon her
/ lap; while a shade fell over her exprcta.t t
! face. single glance at Rosa's oountenaace
/ revealed the fact that she was girl 81 some
character. There was no soft vouptuous Ian
guor about her, but an ereciness OF position as
she sat: and frmness Of tone in all her fra-
tnres that indicated an active mind and sel(-re-
lance. An hour later than usual Adrian came
''Are you sick, H-nry?" asked Rosa as she
! took his hand, fixing her eyes on his sober face.
| 'sNot sick, but troubled n mind" he replied
without evasion.
/ "Why are you troubled, Henry" Z" And Ro-
j sa drew an arm tend-ry around her lover.
est down, and will tell you. The trouble
/ concerns US both, Rosa"
/ The young girls face grew pale. They sat
down close together, holding each others hand.
But in Adrian's countensnce there was rpso-
lutte expression, such as We see on the coupie-
[ nance OF man who had settled question Of
difficult solution.
"The day fixed for our marriage is only two
/ months Distant" he said. The tone in which
! he spoke chilled the heart OF Rasa.- She did
moi answer but kept her gaze upon his face.
''Rosa We must reconsider this matter. We
have acted without iorehousht."
Her face became raIrr, her lips fell apart,
her eyes had frightened expression.
81 love you, Rosa, tendrgly, truly. My
heart is not turning from you. would hasten,
rather than re,ard, the day OF our marriage.
But there are considerations beyond that day,
which have presented themselves, aud demand
sober consideration. Ia a word, Rosa, cannot
afford 10 marry. My Income will not Justify
the STEP"
The frightened look went out OF Rosa's eyes.
sit was wrong in me ever 10 have sought
your love-"
Her hand tightened on his, and she sank close
TO his side.
"Ietn clerk, with only thousand dollars
of income, and do not see much beyond TO
hope for Rosa, the furniture OF these parlorS
cost :wice tire amount OF my salary. The rent
OF the house 10 winch you now live, is equal to
what receive in year. / canno. take you
from all this elegance into a thiid class boarding
house, the bes: my means will provide. No,
no. Rosa, it would be unjust, selfish, wrcng,
cruel. How blind in M ever to have thought
of so degrading the one love-! -
The young man was strongly agilaied.
"Aud is this all that troubles you, Henry?"
ssIs it not enough? Can look at the two al
ternaiives tha, present themselves, and not grow
hear:-sck II we separate, each taking differ
ent ways in Iie-oh, Rosa, am not strong e.
nough 10 choose that alternative !" And his
form 'rpinbled under the pressure of excitement.
"You love me, Henry"
The voice OF Rosa was calm, yet burdened
with feeling.
"Asmy own life, darling Have not said
so hundred times! p
"And even as my life Go love you, Henry"
For several moments her face lay hidden in
his bosom Then, lifting IT. Rosa said:
81 am glad you have spoken on this subject,
Henry. could not approach it myself, but
now that we have it before US let il be we'll con-
sdered. Your income is one thousand dolars2"
eyes"
ga sum large enough to supply all the real
wants Of two persons who have Independence
enough not 10 be ensIaved BY mere love Of
appearance"
"Why, darling, it will require more than half
OF my salary to pay foi respectable boarding."
"Taking It for granted that, after our mar
riage, am TO sit down in boarding house with
hands folded anu idle, dependent on your labor
But shall not so construe my relation 10 my
husband. | will De help mate for him. |
will standby his side; sharing life's burdens"
ga II that is in your heart, darling, Know"
said Adrian. "But We arc hedged around by
social forms that act as a hindrance. You cam
not help me. Society will demand Of US GER
tain style Of living, and we must conform 10 it
or..be pushed aside from all ciicles of refine
ment, TASTE and intelligence. cannot accept
this osracsm for you, Rosa. 1t is not right"
"As if false, heartless world were more to
me than true, loving husband. Henry, the
central point of social happiness is home; as
iAe home ls so will our lives be--ralher let mo
say, as we are, so will our humes be- centres