The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-22

aLSui Sttld dOHb oC
+ &c didn't mean to blame you, my dear. l
only mentioned the circumstances to explain
why had not laid up anything. But never
mind, there's time enough yet, and besides
we've enjoyed ourselves think after this
fishing excursion is over. however, | shall
begin to deck my expenses little, for ! must
lay mp litale something the next year,
"We certainly have every chance to save
money, . returned Linnie, I" for both the house
and shop are ours without rent, andewe are.
free from debt.'
Anson Kimball started at that last remark,
and turned his face towards the window, but
his wife did notappear to notice his emotion.
I You know, Anson,'' continued Mrs. KIM
bal, !" that yon, promised me IEshonld have
FIVE dollars when you went on another ex-
curson, and ] shall certainly hold YOU to that
promise" "=s ''72
"of course-that's fair,n returned the
young man, but do you need it now"
ttYesn s5ls,. f.-.a--s-.s., f..-.
"What are you going to do with it?'
You won't be offended?'
Then, to tell the truth, L. owe little
sum- reg e41
The young man looked earnestly at his
wife, and though he evidently wished to say
something about her running in debt, yet for
reasons best known to himself, he kept quiet,
and handed over the five dollarso
Anson joined his old shopmates on their
excursion, and when he returned he thought
some about beginning to cut off some of his
unnecessary expenses, but he introduced no
new system of operations. Two or three
times he did refrain from indulging some pet
ty appetite, but he soon settled back into the
old track, and the small bits of money Slip
ped away as fast as ever. :
Three years had passed away since the
young couple were married, and few could
have wished for more social comfort than they
had enjoyed during thefgreater part of that
time. For a month or two, however, the
young man had been gradually growing more
sober and thoughtful, until at length he had
become really sad and down hearted His
wife had endeavored to cheer him up, though
she had been unable to learn the cause of his
detection. c71ee aita st. 9 dsl
One evening just before dusk, Linnie saw
tive men pass her windo5s and enter her hus-
bands shop. One of them she knew to be
the Sheriff, and the7circunstance troubled her
not a little. She waited half an hour for her
husband to come to supper, but he did not
appear, and her srtfferings began to be acute.
A Thousand coniectures fitted through her
mind, but they broughtaher no consolation,
and at length she determined to 60 to the
shop door and see if she could not overhear
something of what was passing within, feel
ing that such course would at least be par
donable. 3sau fi Fet af y3 a
p Linnie stole out from her front door and
wen5atowards the shop She placed her ear
to the kev-hole and listened but she could
only hear an indistnct hum of voices, among
which was that of her husband. The latter
was evidently supplicating, for his tones were
earnest and impassionate. Soon there was a
movement of feet towards the door. Linpie
hastened back to the house. Ere long her
husband entered. He looked pale and troub-
led, and with a nervous movement of the
muscles of his face, as though he would have
concealed the grief that bore, him down, he
took his seat. at the table. .,r--.z7 ..i-l.
Poor Linnie watched her companion with
an anxiety almost agonssing, but she spoke
not a word until after Anson had set back
from the table. The food remained almost
untouched upon his plate rwhen he meved
away, and heiw would haze left the house had
not his wife stopped him., - i.e;,o t--s as,.,
Z Husband" she said, in soft, gentle tone,
at the same time laying her hand upon his
arm. and gazing imploringly into his face,
" what is it that troubles iyou?,' 70 ss5161l 2
{ I" Nothing, Lnnie,' half fretfully returned
he. and he made a motion as if to remove his
wife's hand from his arm.
E "There is something, Anson, know there
is. Come, do not keep it from me.'' 'yz--'-s-s
2 THERE'S nothing that youneed know
"lButi wife need know all that can affect
her husband thus. "What is it, Anson?i' +.
I tit is nothing but my own business, and
wife need not know all thatn. .s5a
+ This answer was harsh, and tears gushed
to Linnie:s eyes. z*sE-s5 lfA s~s saessE
@sMy dear husband" she said, in tender ae-
cents, " to whom, O, to whom should you tell
your sorrowa, if not to her who loves you
better than life itself ?'' tf,[.r-,. -
Forgive me, forgive me, Linnie-I meant
not to wound your feelings. / am very mis-
cradle, and / hardly know what l said.''
"adThep tell me ALL Come, sit down in my
easy chair for your brow is hot and feverish.
There-now tell me.'' a. .-.,.4..,s...-.a
After the young man had taken the proffer-
ed seat, he gazed moment into the face of
his wife, and a look of deep anguish rested
upon his features.
/ Linnie,' he said, " may as we'll tell you
all, but you must not chide me, nor must you
despond, for all is not darkgas might be. i
am deeply in debt, and ato-morrowsmy shop
and all it contains, will be advertised by the
Sheriff for sale.'' ,.zssrs s,s-s-.-se..
{ !" In debt" murmured the wife,
"sYes. During the last two years have
been purchasing stock on credit, and paying
for it as it has been convenient. At first it
seemed an easy way of doing business, but it
has proved fatal; for when received the pay
for my goods forgot or ataleast did not slf-
fcienHy heed, that all that money was not
mine. I forgot that more than half of ali
received belonged to the men of whom | had
Epurchased stock. Two, notes fell due day
before yesterday. The man to whom gave
them sold them in the way of business to a
western firm, and now they must be paid
Tomorrow an officer will be placed in my
shop, and nearly everything will have to.be
sold. 1t is not the loss of my stock and tools
/ care so much about, for j have health and
strength, and I can earn, more, but it is the
disgrace of the thing. To,think that should
be like this-me-a healthy, stout, good me-
chanie"
How much do you owe?n asked Linnie,
in a trembling voice. = ....--., -.
| Both notes amount to four hundred dol
| lars.'' ''1asstg ~ -5.e.l., .has
Sand haven't you any part of it?'
/ ."only about fifty dollars that L can collect
readily" 8 f-H''' .ss-.,
/ @And if those two notes were paid, you
/ "Yes.p no, .,s>-a.-- stg.g =
Then, thank God, you will not suffer p,
13exclaimed sLinnie. And deovercouie by her
feelings she sank upon her husbands neck,
and burst into tears. a,is7 40
i ALinnie, Linnie!n cried the young man,
"what do you mean?'