The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-10-04
NELtT's LOVER
CONCLUDED.

"True, and 1 don't mean to have
anything 70 DC With them. But the
case would huve another bearing
were / brother-in-law. L would have
their bad influences operating on my
wife. She must have as costly out
fitting as they. She must have as
fine house to live in, and as fine
furniture to display to her friends;
and my nose must come down to the
gripd-stone, like the noses of their
unfortunate husbands. I've gone
over the matter twenty times, or
more, and can see it no differently.
1t won't do, and there is no use in
trying to harmonize things that are
utterly incongruous. Take another
view. Suppose Nelly came into my
view of things, end turned herself
away from ali these allurements.
Suppose we, like sensible people,
lived below our income, and set our
selves to make provision for time
when expenses would be greater. I
would gradually accumulate; set up
business, perhaps, and rise into q
position of some influence in the way
of money matters. Would have Gre
dit if not gold at command. Then
1 must consent to be ruined, or
written down as miser and churl
by the whole family. Papa lives on
the extension principle, just making
both ends meet, as I infer. Well,
tight times come every now and then.
He has failed once in his life, and
may fail again. When the strain
equals resistance, slight increase
OF force snaps the shaft of timber.
If papa gets in trouble and son-in-
law is all right, son-in- law must 20
to the rescue-sink or swim It won't
answer, you see. I've counted the
cost, and think it too great; have
looked over the hedge before leaping,
and am afraid Of the ditch on the other
side"
'I see how it is," answered the
friend, "you have large caution"
cam not right?"
perhaps so. But lovers, whose
hearts are so much interested as
yours seems to be, are not apt to
throw prudential reasons of this
character in the way of their happi-
ness. They are usually inclined to
take counsel of love alone"
"I have seen pictures of love
blind-folded; but I think love false
god"
GAS you WILL" said the friend.
''But this 1 know: If my heart were
interested in Nelly, 1 would never
abandon her on the plea you have
advanced; at least, not before 7 was
well assured that the false life, which,
by kind of domestic necessity she
has thus far led, had so fostered
pride and vanity as to deprave her
understanding. Be well assured,
George, that in this you sin, not
against your own heart, but the
maiden's!'
II spent an evening with her last
week." was replied. "I went with
my mind more than half made up to
let my lips betray my feelings. It
so happened that she was not alone.
A young lady was her guest; very
sprightly, out-spoken, critical, rather
sharp-tongued girl of eighteen or
1Wenty-smart enough for twenty,
and thoughtless enough for sixteen.
AeoPie ana tnfngs were talked about
with a tiippancy and freedom neither
charitable nor delicate. Among other
subjects, the marriage of q friend
was discussed, and the we'll or i'll of
the case settled in n manner chat
made my cheeks burn.
II never thought Amy the simple
ton to get married in that mean kind
Of way remarked the young lady.
.She must have wanted q husband!
II o man can't do better by me than
that, I'd advise him to give nv door
a wide BERTH"
"Nelly laughed at her friend, and
returned few asserting words, that
stung me to the quick. The present
OF a ring by the young husband was
remarked upon. Nelly said it was
an emerald, but her friend pro-
nounced it green glass, adding, that
nothing but a diamond would have