Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-04-04
TALES AND SKETCHES
THE SECOND THOUGHT.

~ must have it, Charles" said the hand
some little wife of Mr.. Whitman. $50
don't put on that sober face"
"Did put on sober face Z" asked the
husband, with an attempt to smile that was
anything but success.
"Yes, sober as a 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
one friend in the world. What money
lovers you men are"
"How much will it cost3" inquired Mr..
Whitman. There was another effort to look
cheerful and acquiescent.
about forty dollars was answered, with
just little faltering i'll the lady's voice,
for she knew the sum would sound extra
VACANT.
"Forty dollars! Why, Ada, do you think
/ am made of money ~ Mr.. Whitman's
countenance underwent remarkable change
of expression.
81 declare, Charles" said his wife little
impaticntly, "you look at mo as if / were an
object of fear instead of affection, don't
think this is kind of you. I've only had
three silk dresses since we married while
Amy Blight has had six or seven during the
same period, and every one of hers cost
more than mine. l know you think me
extravagant, but wish you had wife like
some women could name. 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 din
ner time, that is, if
"No ifs nor butts, if you please. The sen
, tence is complete without them. Thank
you, dear. III go this afternoon and buy
the silk. So dou't fail to bring the money.
was at Silkskind's yesterday, and l saw
one of the sweetest patterns ever laid my
eyes on. Just suits my style and complex
ion. You won't disappointment me-"
! And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft white
! hand on the arm of her husband and smiled
| with sweet persuasion in his face.
| "Oh, no, you shall have the money, said
Mr.. Whitman, turning of from his wife, as
she thought littls abruptly, and hurrying
! from her presence. In his 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
jarring upon her ears. "Just say money to
Charles, and at once there is cloud in the
! sky"
She sat down, pouting and half angry.
Forty dollars for new dress" ejacula'
| ted the husband of the vain, pretty, thought
! less Mrs Whitman, as she shut the door
after him. Ipromised to settle Thompson's
coal bill oday-thirty-fve 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 discouraged
| Every year fall behind. This winter
did hope to get little in advance, but il
forty dollar silk dresses are the order OF
of the day, there's an end to that devoutly
to be wished for consumation. Debt debt
How have shrunk from it; but steadily,
now, it is closing it's Briarean arms around
me, and my constructing chest labors in
respiration. Oh, if could bu. disentangle
myself now while I have the strength OF
early manhood, and the bonds that hold me
are weak. If Ada could see as could see
If i could only make her understand right
fear"
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps and
his thoughts were duly excited.
Not long time after Mr.. Whitman al
home, the city postmaster delivered letteI
to his address. The wife examined the
writing on the envelope, which was in bold
masculine hand, and she said to herself, al
she did So
81 wonder who this can be from"
Something more than curiosity moved
her. There intruded on her mind q vague
feeling of disquie., as if the missive Dor,
unpleasant news for her husband. Th,
stamp showed it to be city letter. A few
times, of late, such letters had come to hi
address and she had noticed that he ha(
read them hurriedly, thrust them withou
remark into his pocket, and became silent
If the thoughts of Mrs. Whitman required
as was natural, to the elegant silk dress o
which she was to become the owner on tha
day, she did not feel the proud satisfaction
her vain heart experienced little Will
before. Something of its beauty had faded
"If only knew what that letter contain
ed" she said, half an honr after it came in
her mind still feeling the pressure whicl
had come down upon IL SO strangely as i
seemed to her. She went to the mantel
piece, took up the letter, and examined tn
superscription. 1t gave her no light. Stead
lily it kept growing upon her that its con
tents were of nature to trouble her hus
band.
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter over an,
over again in her hand, in q thoughtfu
way, and es she did SO, the image of he
husband sober faced and silent as be ha
become for most of the time, presented II
self with unusual vividness. Sympath
stole into her heart
"Poor Charles" she said, as the feelin
increased SIN afraid something is wron
with him.n
Placing the letter on the mantelpieC
where he could see il when he came II
Mrs whitman entered upon some househol