The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-10-09
THE SECOND THOUGHT.

$50 don't put on that sober face"
Did L put on sober face 2. asked
the husband, with an attempt to smile
that was anything but success.
Yes, sober as man on trial for his
life. Why, it's as long as the moral
law. There, dear, clear it up, and
look as If you had at least one friend
in the world. What money-lovers
you men are?" ..,-..,-,...
How much will it cost?" inquired
Mr.. Whitman. There was another
effort to look cheerful and acquiescent.
About forty dollars. was answer
ed, with just little faltering in the
lady's voice, for she knew the sum
would sound extravagant. g2Aw ar
Forty dollars! Why Ada, do you
think L am made Of money!" Mr..
Whitman's countenance underwent
remarkable change of expression.
Il declare Charles, said his wife,
little impatiently, you look at me as
if were an object of fear instead of
affection. Idon't' think this is kind
ofyou. I've only had three silk dress
es since we were married, while Amy
Blight has had six or seven during
the ame.period, and every one of hers
cost more than mine. / know you
think me extravagant, but / wish you
had wife like some women | could
name. [ rather think you'd find out
the difference before long. ~
There, there, pet, don't talk to me
after this fashion, I'll bring the
money at dinner time, that is, if =.
's'No Ifs nor butts, if you please. The
sentence, is complete without them.
Thank you dear. IN 60 this after
noon and buy the silk. So don't fail
to bring the money. l was in at
Silkskind's yesterday, and saw one of
the sweetest pattern | ever laid my
eyes on. Just suits my style and
complexion. You won't disappoint
me?" tia- -
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft,
white hand on the arm of her hus-.
band and smiled with sweet persua-
sion in her face. ;404r ~ --i.oz
oh, no. You shall have the
money" said Mr.. Whitman, turning
off from his wife, as she thought lit.
tie abruptly, and hurrying from her
presence. In this precipitation, he
had forgotten the usual parting kiss.
That's the way it is always!" said
Mrs. Whitman, her whole manner
changing, as the sound of the closing
street door came Earring upon her ears.
Just say money to Charles, and at
once there is a cloud in the sky
She sat down, pouting and half
angry. t.d 5.r..
Forty dollars for a new dressr'
calculated the husband of the vain.
pretty, thoughtless Mrs. Whitman, as
he shut the door after him. Il prom
Used to settle Thompson's coat bill to-
day-thirty- dollars-but don't
know where the money is to come
from. The coal is burnt up, and more
must be ordered. Oh, dear, I'm dis
couraged. Every year fall behind.
This winter I did hope to get little
in advance, but if forty dollar silk
dresses are the order of the day,
there's an end to that devoutly to be
wished for consummation. Debt!
debt! How | have shrunk from it;
but steadily, now it is closing it's
Briarran arms around me, and my
constructing chest labors in respira-
ton. Oh, if | could but disentangle
myself now, while have the strength
of early manhood, and the bonds that
hold me are weak If Ada could see
as [ see--if could only mske her un-
derstand rightly my position, Alas!
that is hopeless | fear"
And Mr. Whitman hurried his steps
because his heart beat quicker, and
his thoughts were unduly excited.
Not long time after Mr. Whitman
left home, the city postmaster deliv-
a~aI 1artar 20 l. =
examined the writing on the envelope
which was in bold, masculine hand,
and she said to herself, as she did so
II wonder who this can be from?"
Something more than curiosity
moved her. There introduced on her
mind vague feeling of disquiet, as if
the missive bore unpleasant news for
her husband. The stamp showed it
to be a city letter A few times, of
late, such letters had come to his ad-
dress, and she had noticed that he
had read the m hurridly, thrust them
without remark into his pocket, and
became silent.
IF the thought of Mrs. Whitman re-
Cured. as was natural, to the elegant
silk dress Of which she was TO become
the owner on that day, she did not
feel the proud satisfaction her vain
heart experienced little while be-
fore. Something of this beauty had
faded.I2Db
@'ff z!Iaou'y knew what that letter
contained she said. half an hour af
ter it came in, her mind still feeling
the pressure which had come down
upon it so strangely. as It seemed to
her. She went to the mantle piece.
took UP the letter and examined the
superscriptiou. 1t CAVES her no light