The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-12-21
= Capital Story.
MY PUNISHMENT.


Nov, George" she said, Indignantly,
that is too bad. Do be generous for once.
Isn't it perfectly lOrely?"
"Welt. | suppose it is if you say so, my
DEAR" and | leaned back in my chair, and
with closed eyes placedly emitted dense
volume of smoke from my lips.
1t was six clock in the evening, dinner
was over, and | had subsidized into the com
Portable tranquility Of my dresslng-gown,
slippers, and cigar. Alice had been out
that afternoon, as several pietho-
ric looking bundles On the side table testified;
and now must witness and share IN the In
vcstigation of their contents.
So listened while my wife commented
on the texture of the linen intended Tor the
bosoms Of my new shirts. ...
She then produced a very mysterious
looking package, which when divested Of its
paper covering, proved to be n very hand
some black silk pattern. She looked so
pretty as she stood before me--the bright
fire-hght shining on her sweet tace-and 1t
was all in a glow; and she was enthusiastic
in the praise of her last purchase, which
she was holding up before my unlpprecia-
ting eyes. She was not at all satisfied with
the limited praise | bestowed upon it.
How provoking you are! George War
den, do you hear? Do take that cigar out
of your mouth and come out Of your smoke
clouds little while! l never can get word
out of you when you once get to smoking.
Now how much do you suppose gave for
this piece of silk?'
Mrs. Warden's husband opened his eyes
and declared he "hadn' the slightest idea!
how should he know" Mrs. W. was
well aware that he knew little and cared
less about the paraphernalia OF lady's
toilet. ...
''Only fifty dollars for the patern7-not a
cent more It's well worth ftty-six; I've
saved that much any how. And it's so
rich and thick it'll wear we'll, | am Sure. -
Now don't you think it cheap
"Well, rather, and knocked the ashes
from the tip of my cigar and prepared to
resume my train Of thoughts when her voice
aroused me again.
''But it isn't paid for yet, she was say
ing hesitatingly. II hadn't enough money
with me, and was afraid if | waited till to-
morrow | should lose the chance, and was
sure you wouldn' care Just this onece, " she
said timilly, as if she wasn't SO sure |
wouldn't care after all.
L
IF there is any thing | abhor it is the credit
system-I mean where women IRE concern
ed. Positively the idea that n,y ssJe was
going in debt for things, and getting into
the habit Of running UP long bills at the
dry goods stores, Was more than | could bear,
My prophetic eye saw in the future visions
of temptation, deception, anxiety, unhappi-
ness, and, perhaps, rujn-ail resulting from
those terrible blIA | had labored so hard
to press upon her mind this one lesson, Pay
as you go" And the thought that she had
disobeyed me on the first ten ptation made
me very wrathful The storm burst over
her unconscious head. =.
''Alice, is it possiblc?-when have told
you repeatedly never, under any circumstan-
ces, TO get any thing on credit, il you can
possibly avoid it. | must say"
''It must be the last! hope | am not
niggardly. am willing to let you have all
the money you need; but | will not consent
toyour running up long bills at the stores.
[ could tell you how many men Of my ac-
quantance have been ruined by their wives
doing so. tell YOU, Alice, you have no
idea how a bill will rttn up before you know
it. Those little debts seeth very insignlii-
cant until you put them together. Thcn
the aggregate is enormous. did not think
n,y acve would act in such direct opposition
to my known wishes.
But, George" And tears came into
the brown eyes raised to mine.
What wretch | was? Why couldn't
speak kindly to the poor darling. if ! must
tell her of her fault? But no, my heart was
full of bitterness because she had dlsobeyed
me, and thenit always put me out Of humol
to see woman cry.
II don t want to hear any more about it,
Take your dress away: don't wish to look
at it! hope you will enjoy it, and the re-
collection that in buying it you disregarded
my wishes will doubtless add much to you
pleasure in it"
+. [ think this last cruel speech hurt hcl
more than all the rest. 1t makes me turi.
Gus against myself now when | think of it.
But [ had opened my heart to a vcpcmous.
satiriical demon, and he sat there securely
thronea, defying all efforts to expel him.
grnning with malicious glee while he point
ed the barbed words which fell like pois.
on drops from my tongue. had never
spoken 50 to my wife before. l hated my
self for it! ..
/ watched her as she crossed the room and
sat down, away from me- in the recess Of a
window, with tears dropping fast over hel
pale cheeks. How | longed to go ard bring
her back, and kiss away the remembrance
Of my harshuessl But did not | don
know how long we sat thus, and | kon''
know what | was reading; | was only con
scious Of being very remorseful and very uu
happy, when timid, faltering voice startled
me out of my abstraction, and caused me t.
look up. She was standing before me, witt
the tears not yet dry on her pale face, anC
the grieved look palmer than ever in hel
soft eyes.
II don't care about having the dress
George. I'll take it back to morrow.
know they will allow nle to return it; onl,
please do notebook so. l can bear anything
but seeing you so displeased''
Did fling down that hateful paper, anc
seat the trembling pleader on my knee, anc
kiss the poor pale face till it bloomed again
Alas the demon whispered, Forgiveness
easily obtained is not much valued. Holt
out only little longer. And ] did; anc
lost the opportunity which the wealth o
worlds can not buy now
steeled my heart against those pleading
tones. | met the prayerful glance with on
SO cold that it froze down the upspringin,
tears, and then I said, coldly,
''No, you shall not do that. If there j
any thing I hate it is carrying thing bacl
after it has been taken Now you We got it
keep it. I'll pay the bill when Lgo down il
the morning" And that was ALL Then
turned to the other side of the paper an,
appeared engrossed in telegram from
Washington. Icould have cursed myself a
watched her move YEARLY bacl, to tn
window, and sit down with her forehea,
pressed against the pare SO despairingly
and when one or two convulsive sebs, bu
half stiAed, reached me fairly started, an,
rustled the paper nervousy.
Seven o clock. Alice arose and move,
across the room. She stopped q few mo
meuts beftrs tbs glass ssd ] watched he