Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-16

the old bright way But his voice was calm
/ If not cheerful 4 kiss and o smile Just
then would have been more precious 10 the
young wife than a hundred silk dresses. She
took the money saying, " Thank you dear
Ii is kind Of you TO regard my W ics'
Something in Adas voice and manner caus-
ed Mr. Whitman to III his eyes with look
of inquiry 10 her face But she turned aside.
30 that he could not read ts expression.
He was graver and more silent than usual,
aud ate with scarcely an appearance of ap-
petite
" Come home early, dear, said Mrs. Whit
man as she walked TO the door with her hus-
band after dinner.
Are you impatient to have me admire
your new silk dress 2n he replied with faint
effort at smile
Yes, it win be something splendid" she
answered
lie turned OH from her quickly, and left
the house 4 moment she stood with
thoughtful ihce, her mind indrawn, and her
whole manner completely changed. Then She
went TO her room and commenced dressing to
90 out
Two hours later and we find her in % Jewell
ry store ON Broadway
Can say word 10 you p She ad-
dressed the owner Of the store, who knew her
a4ry well
' Certainly" he replied and they remoy-
ed to the lower end of one Of the long show
cases.
Mr. Whitman drew from her pocket a
lady's watch and chain, and laying them ON
the showcase said at the same time holding
out the bin she had taken from the envelope
addressed to her husband" cannot afford
to wear this watch my husbands eircum.
stances arc too limited. | tell You so frank.
ly. IL should not have been purchased but
too indulgent husband yielded to the impor-
tunitics Of O foolish wife. | say this TO take
blame from him Now, sir, meet the case if
you can do 80 in fairness TO yourself Take
back the watch, and say how much shall
pay You besides"
The iowcler dropped his eyes to think. The
case took him little by surprise. He stood
for nearly minute, and taking the bill and
watch, said
Wait a minute, and went to a desk near
by
VIII that do?" lie had come forward
again. aud now presented her with a receipt
cd bill His face wore pleasant expression
How much shall pay you ?" asked Mrs
Whitman drawing out her purse.
Nothing. The watch IS not deiaced"
" Ton have done a kind act, sir" said Mrs
Whitman, with trembling voice. hope
you will not think uniayorable Of my hus-
band it is no fault Of his that the bill has
not been paid. Good afternoon, sir
Mrs Whitman drew her veil over her face
and went with light heart from the store
The pleasure she had experienced on reeeiv-
ing her watch was not to lie compared,with
that now felt in parting with it, From the
jewelers. she went to the bootmakers, and
paid the bill Of twenty-five dollars, and from
thence to the milliner>- and settled for her
last bonnet.
81 know you are dying to see my new
dress" said Mrs. Whitman gaiy, as she drew
her arm within that of her husband on his
appearance that evening. Come into the
parlor, and let me show it, Come along
don't hang back, Charles as if you were
afraid
Charles Whitman went with his wife pas
siyely, looking more like man on his way to
receive sentence than in expectation of plea
SAINT sight. His thoughts were bitter.
Shall my Ada become lost to me p he
said in his heart" lost to me in a world of
fashion, folly and extravaganza p
." Sit down. Charles
She led him to large cushioned chair
Her manner had undergone a change; the
brightness of her oountenance had departed.
She took something in hurried way from
drawer, and taking up a iootstool placed it ON
the floor near him, and looked tenderly and
lovingly in his face then handed him the
jewelers. bill
1t is rcceipted, you see Her voice dut-
tered a little
Ada how is this, what does il mean ?i
He flushed and grew eager.
returned the watch, aud h. reccipted
the bill | would have paid the damage, but
he said it was uninjured, and asked nothing
"Oh Ada"
/ And this is receipted also, and this :"
handing him the other bills which she had
/ paid.
And now, dear" she added quickly, show
do you like mynew dress-isn't it beautiful 2"
We leave the explanations and scenes that
follow TO the readers Imagination. If any
fair lady, however, who ike Ada, has been
drawiag too heavily on her husbands slender
income, for silks and jewels, is at loss to
realize the sceuo, let her try Ada's expert
ment Our word for it, she will find new
and happy experience in life.
Costly silks and jewels may be very plea
SAINT things but they are too dear when they
come at the price Of a husbands embarrass-
mcnt mental disquietude, and alienation.
/ Too often the gay young wife wears them as
the sign of'these unhappy conditions. Tran
quill hearts and sunny homes are precious
things - too precious to be burdened aud
clouded by weak vanity and love of show.
Keep this in mind, ye fair ones who have hus-
bands in moderate circumstances, Do not
let your pride and pleasure oppress them.
Rich clothing, costly lace, aud gems are
poor substitutes for smiling peace and hearts
unshadowed by care. Take the lesson, and
live by it, rather than offer another ilustra-
tion in your experience of the folly we have
been trying to expose and rebuke.