The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-01-05

dry goods store, there was no more
money in the young mans purse at
the end of six months than at the be-
ginning. The cash that would have
gone for clothing when necessity
called for additions to the family
wardrobe, had been spent for things
the purchase of which would have
been omitted but for the fact that the
dollars were in the purse instead of
in the storckeeper's hand and tempted
needless expenditure.
The end of the six months credit
approached, and the mind of Jacobs
began to rest upon the dry goods deal
er's bill, and to be disturbed by feel
ing of anxiety. AS to the amount of
this bill, he was in some uncertainty,
but he thought it could not be less
than forty dollars. This was large
sum for him to owe, particularly as he
had nothing ahead, and current ex-
! penses were fully up to his income.
1t was now, for the first time in his
life, that Jacobs felt the nightmare
pressure of debt, and it seemed at
times as if it would almost suffocate
kim.
One evening he came homo feeling
more sober than usual. He had
thought of little else all day except his
bill at the store. On meeting his wife
he saw something was wrong.
What ails you, Jane r. he said,
kindly. care you sick p
"No,' was the simple reply. But
her eyes dropped as she said it, and
her husband saw that her lip quiyered.
Something is wrong, Jane said
her husband
Tears stole to the wifes checks from
beneath the half-closed lids her bo-
som labored with the weight of some
pressure.
Tell me, Jane" urged Jacobs, if
anything is wrong. Your manner
alarms me. Are any of the children
sick ?"
ooh, no! oh, no. Nothing Of that, -
was the quick reply, "but-but Mr..
Edwards has sent in his bill
!, "That was to be expected, of course,
said Jacobs, with forced Guinness.
, The credit was only for six months.
But how much is the bill q
His voice was unsteady as he asked
the question.
"a hundred and twenty dollars =
and poor Mrs Jacobs burst into tears
Impossible there is some mistake,
\ hundred and twenty dollars New
+ err
"rhere is the bill" and Mrs. Jacobs
+ drew it from her bosom
Jacobs glanced eagerly at the foot
ing mp Of the long column of figures
= There were numerals to tho value o.
. one hundred and twenty.
Y at can't be, he said, in a troubled
voice; Edwards must have made {
/ mistake"
e $50 I thought when l first looked
at the BILL replied Mrs. Jacobs, re
{ covering herself yet speaking in a sac
9 voice. But I'm sorry that it's al
right ] have looked over it and oyel
: it again, and cannot find an error
t Oh, dear how foolish I have been
Il 1t was so easy to get goods when NJ
Il money was to be paid down. But
never thought of bill like this
4 Never !"
Jacobs sat for some moments Will
i his eyes upon the floor. He wa
Il thinking rapidly.
f $50 much for good credit" he sai'
e at length, taking a long breath
l. What a fool | have been. That fel
" low, Edward, has gone to windwar,
e, of me completely; he knew that if h
, got me on his book he would secur
r. three dollars to one of my money, be
= yond what he would get by cash dow
z, system. All, are we happier now 70
y the extra dry goods we have procured
Not u whit Our bodies have been
it little better clothed, and our love {
N display gratified to some extent. Blu
e, has all that wrought compensate
l. for the pain OF this days reckoning
A. Poor Mrs. Jacobs was silent. Sadl
n, was she repenting her part i'll the TO
l. ly they had committed.
er Tea time came, but neither husban
at or wife could do much more tina
I'd taste food That bill of hundre
IN and twenty dollars had taken ava
it, their appetites The night that 70
G. lowed brought neither of them vel
I'd refreshing slumber; and in the morn
e. ing they awoke sober minded and Ii