The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-10
Monday Morning, April 10, 1865.
For the P0rtlGud Press.
MRS. WYMAN'S FURS:
or, Household Economy.

BY s. s. MASON. w
Mr.. and Mrs Wyman were taking breakfast
at the fashionable hour of eight. There was an
expires sion of discomfort ON the lady's face pain
full to behold, and her voice had taken its tone
in accordance "Here it is the fifth of Decem-
ber," she said fretfully, sand you promised
that should have the furs week ago. Every
body else that is any body, had their winter
outfit before the snow came. But it is always
the way when Iwant anything,-I have to wait
forever"
Mr.. Wyman sat quietly balancing his spoon
on q cup for a few moments, and then re-
piled
"Idid promise you the money, Maria, but we
have found it so difficult to collect our bills this
year, to say nothing of high prices and depre
ciated currency, that it is next to impossible for
me to spare SO much at present; especially while
there are many other things needed in the house
that we cannot well do without. And you do
not really need the furs, know, Maria"
''Oh, no ! of course not !" was the gracious
reply. Il should be very likely to ask for things
/ don't need. Butit's all the same to you, sup
pose, il do look like fright
"You are unjust, Maria, for you know allow
you all that can afford, to spend for yourself
and the children. But there. are SO many bills
that must be paid before the first of January,
that hoped you would be willing to do without
your furs this winter"
'But am not willing;" sheanswered sharply.
tsIt would be just the same next winter, and
might as well have them now as any other
time
Mr.. Wyman knew that he ought to be firm in
his refusal, but he dreaded scene, and SO, like
many other men, he yielded the point; and draw
;ug out his pocket book, he took from thence
fifty dollars which he handed to his wife with
the remark that she could do as she pleased with
it. Soon after he put on his hat, and with slow
steps, and heavy heart, went out to battle with
the cares aud trials of the day. Mrs. Wyman,
who-We regret to say-was rather inclined to be
wilful and selfish, had fully determined to get
the best set of furs that could be purchased for
fifty dollars; and although the oblging clerk
laid a variety of handsome articles before her
hoping to make as handsome profits, no doubt
she put them all aside to look at something more
costly, or more suitable to her style. very
good set was offered her at the>"low price of
twenty-five dollars; really nice article for the
prize, and the color was such that they would
grow brighter in time" sc. But, Mrs. Tyler's
cost fifty; could she, merchants wife pay less,
and give spiteful people chance to make COM
parsons between them. No, no, she knew too
much for that.
''We have one more set that we will let you
have for sixty-fve dollars, although we shall
positively lose more than we shall gain
by the bargain;'' said the veracious clerk with
an insinuating smile. ''Will you look at themf''
Mrs. Wyman stood irresolute for several min
utes She knew that she was not able to pay so
much, and that she would have to do without
many other things that were really needed in the
family, but then it would be so gratifying to go
ahead of her neighbors, Mrs Tyler, who had a
fifty dollar set, and Mrs. Henry Maynard, who
had no furs at all And thus the tempter =
Vanity, triumphed, and she became the happy
possessor of an expensive luxury that she did
not really need and certainly could i'll afford to
purchase.
On entering her own house she found young
woman neatly, but very poorly attired in deep
mourning; and whose pale sad face, told tale
of want and suffering that could not fail to in
cite pity in every feeling heart Mrs Wyman
merely glanced at her, and crossing the room
deposited her late purchase on the table upon
which she unfolded her treasures and spread
them out for the inspection of her husband who
sat near by writing. Mr.. Wyman looked up,
said something about texture and color; and
asked what she gave fer them ''Guess!" she
replied, trying to speak lightly. "Well, twenty,
or twenty-fi five dollars, perhaps
''Ssy sixiy-fve, and you'll come nearer tn,
truth"
"No! you're jesting, surely! You couldnt
have been 80 imprudent, so ex-"bu Warning
gesture from his wife reminded him they wer
not alone, and he resumed his writing with
shadow on his face that did not escape the eye:
of Mrs. Wyman, at least.
"Please maam will you settle this little bill
tonight My baby is quite i'll, and I am sorely
in need of food and medicine; but haven't on,
penny to buy with, in the world" She said th
in low, deprecating tone, as if in apology for
the liberty she had taken.
''How much is it, Mary2''
-sThree dollars and half, ma'am.''
Mrs. Wymsn made a show of opening he
purss, knowing very well that she had spen
every cent There was no help for it.
"Can you let me have the money, james p
she asked at length, turning to her husband.
"Why, gave you fifty dollars this morning
Maria. Is it possible that you have spent it al
on those miserable fox skins, or whatever the
ere2"
ssI told you once what paid for them, james
and of course | have no money left. If yo
can't let me have it, or spare it, Mary will hay
to come some other time for her pay. That's a
can says
"And shewith sick child, needing as sh
confesses, both food and medicine. How ca
you put her off at such time, Maria -
Mr.. Wyman counted out some money whic
he placed in the hands of the poor woman VIII
vainly tried to conceal her emotion. But th
blue eyes filed with tears, and her voice tremble
when rising from her seat she said gently:
81 thank you sir. 1t is more than have ha
ct once, for long, long time, and may help t
save my darling boy p
Mr.. WyDan did not resume his writing afte
tae young woman went out but he made tur1
Or two across the room, and then stopped at tb
FIRE place where, with one arm resting on th
mantle, and his head on his hand, he stood for
long while without speaking. Now Mrs. wy
man was by no means good reader of tina