The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-03-25
for the dire5ide Cltai.
WIDOWED AND POOR.
BY T. 5. ARrHUz.

BY T. 5. ARTHUG.
!" If you must have it, Jane" salty
"There's no must in the case, Harry
Why viii you talk so to me, as if were un7
reasonable and extravagant ?''
Mrs. Drayton looked hurt, and offended
+ "Ididn't say you were unreasonable and
extravagant, jane" .zs .a a-aEs 81 q
You might as well have said it. was re-
torted in a tone of voice far from amiable
II think not,'' Mr.. Drayton spoke in le-
pressed way, and rather to himself than to
his wife .--.---z--
why, then, did you say if 1 must have
it ?' asked Mrs. Drayton, in an imperative
manner. -...- .-... e. -. ..-,
I'1 Now. of all things in the world, Mr. Dlay-
ton most dreaded what are known as family
jars; and he was always ready to make con-
cessions for peace. He, could meet outside
trouble, and stand up, hravely, even with
odds a9aihS him, in the life-b battle ); but, at
home, he wanted rest and peace. And to Sc
cure these, he too often yielded things that
should have been held firmly Thence, it
came TO be understood with Mrs Drayton
aud her eldest daughters, that whateverphey
d r would be yielded, if the right de-
gree of pres ure were brought to bear on hus-
band and father The case now at partial Is
o'tS 't'h wv - q HC" ltc
lish Brussels, which had been on the floor.
for nearly five years, not being considered BY
many degrees elegant enough for exhibition
on the occasion of fashionable party to be
given in two weeks ".H-
Mr.. Drayton did not resi- ond to his wifc's
sharp interrogation. He never entered into
word encounters on the field of home
1t is as much for your credit as mine"
added the lady, seeing that her husband did
not answer &c Brussels went out of date
years ago, and, besides, ours is faded and
shabby. Mrs. Langdon, whose carpet looked
new alongside OF ours, has put down tapes
fry velvet: and have Mrs. George and
Mrs. Toner Nobody that pretends to any
sort of style has Brussels now.''
"What will you have to pay for new car
pets ?' asked Mr.. Drayton, consent in his
| voice. --sz-ss- ssss-s9- ~ -zr r. .l-sa -
A." Two dollars a yard''.-. -
" How many yards will be required ?''
q About fifty"
"One hundred dollars,'' said Mr.. Drayton.
That's all. Only hundred dollars"
Very well. You'd better see about it at
once. Go to Orne's" i
And there is another thing we should
have said Mrs. Drayton
"What ?"
A kind of patient acquiescence was in the
| speakers voice; as of one who suffere yet
veiled the signs: r.l. ,5
! q CnrtainS''
Mr.. Drayton evinced no surprise.
" Pve always set my heart On curtains, as
you know. It's one of my Weaknesses" II
/ Mr.. Drayton sighed faintly-so family
that it was not perceived -s.s
i guess the carpet will do now,', he
made answer, forcing lightness of manner
which he hid not feel. And, taking up his
hat hurried off to his store. asE
Well have the curtains" said Efie, the
Oldest daughter, in leeful tone, as her faith
er shut the street door,
"Of course we will" replied the vain ex-
! travagant mother. SILK, damask and Lace
Effie struck her hands together, exclair-
| ing, Splendid On, do so admire curtains !!
! They give to room such an elegant appear
ance. We must get them before the party"
Yes, | mean that
! "And, ma" said Effie, her manner chang
ing, don't you think we ought to have a
! new sofa, and a set of chairs. Hair cloth has
such poor look ?" a. slh ,.trf5.
/ Mr.. Drayton shook her head. Your
father viii say No, to that.'' "a. s......5 .e.
I % just look at them ma - And Ellie
/! caught hold of a chair and turned it to the
/ ligh;. al. the freshness has gone. They
are dull aud mean. After the new carpet is
down, and the curtains at the windows, We'll
! be ashamed of the sofa and chairs. For my
/ part, I'd rather not have elegant curtains, I'M
less other things are to accord. This would
Fif-you-could' way. of doing things l lespise.''
"Just. my. feeling answered the weak,
foolish mother. ''But Effie, you know how
! hard it isto do anything with your father
We must manage the best we can, and get
4 things by degrees. The curtains and carpet
! will do for this time. There will be crowd
in he room, and no one will observe the fur
niture" 80
But Effie was not satisfied. She argued Of
the new chairs and sofas, and urgued so con-
clusively that her mother came over TO hel
4 side. Snon after breakfast they started out
4 to select the carpet. Between one at two
dollars yard, and one at three dollars, the
contrast of quality and appearance was SC
great that the costliest was chosen. III.
i From Orne's they went to Carryl's, and
after an hours examination of curtains, Sc
i lected a set for three windows at one hundred
dollars set, to he put up on the morning ot
the day on which the party was to be given
4 s'ShaIl we call at Whites ?'' sad Effie, aS
mother and daughter emerged upon tho
street.
Ga " We can't 60 any further in this direction,
J! was the answer, IN a tone from which all lite
had departed. .sr a.a srr -;-re .sa-sr ..'Ee
why not ?" -..-..t, lah..9.
Mrs Drayton shook her head, and closcc
her lips tightly. 'T. 2.
; = Why not ?" repeated Efie. @
Because we have gone far enough. You
! father didn't say we might get the curtains
+ and 1 don't know what he'll think 1T. Pn
, almost sorry, now, that oidered them
He'll be angry when the bill comes in."
i It will soon be over,' returned Eff
; lightly. "Father's anger isn't very terrible a
, any time. Pm not afraid of it.''i
Z The curtains and the carpet m must suf1eo, ,
said Mrs. Drayton, firmly -
"Anyhow.'' persevered Efie, ave car
e drop in at Whites as we go up street, an'
look at his furniture, We needn't buy yoi
, know"
So they dropped in; and it turned aus a