Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-04-04

pending evil--a vague feeling that all was
not going well with her husband.
"IIe has been little mysterious of late"
she said TO herself The idea affected her
very unpleasantly. "IIe grows more silent
and reserved she added, as though her
mind under kind Of feverish excitement
became active in a new direction. more
indrawn as 1t were, and less interested in
what goes on around him. His GOODNESS
chills me at times, and his irritation hurts
me-"
She drew long deep sigh. Then, with
an almost startled vividness, came before
her mind in contrast her tender, loving cheer
ful husband of three years before, and her
quiet, silent sober faced husband of to-day.
"Something is going wrong with him l'
she said aloud, as the feeling grew stronger
.-"What can it be-?
The letter was in her hand.
This may give me light" And, with
careful fingers, she opened the envelope,
not breaking the paper, so that she could
seal it again if she desired to do so. There
was bill of sixty dollars, aid communi-
cation from the person sending the bill. He
was a jeweler.
"lf this is not settled at once" he wrote,
II shall put the account in suit. 1t has been
standing for over a year and l am tired of
SCttiuS SACusCS iuStcdu VI my uloucJ.
The bill was for a lady's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled her
husband to purchase "Not paid for Is
it possible 2 exclaimed the little woman, in
blank astonishment, while the blood mount
ed to her forehead.
Then she set down to think. A light
began to come into her mind. AS she sat
thus thinking second letter for her hus-
band came in from the penny post-man. She
opened it without hesitation. Another bill,
and another dunning letter
Not paid Is it possible e. She repeated
the ejaculation. 1t was bill of twenty five
dollars for CATERS and slippers which had
been standing for three months.
This will never do ?" said the awaken
ing wife-"never-no never" and she
thrust the two letters into her pocket in
resolute way. From that hour until the re,
turn Of her husband st dinner-time, Mrs.
| Whitman did an unusual amount of think
/ ing for her little brain. She saw, the mo-
ment he entered that the cloud had not pas
sed from his brow.
! "Here is the money for that new dress"
he said, taking small roll of bills from his
vest pocket, and handing them to Ada as
he came in. He did not kiss her, nor smile
in the old, bright way. But his voice was
calm if not cheerful. A kiss and smile
just then would have been more precious to
the young wife than hundred silk dresses.
| She took the money, saying
! "Thank you, dear. 1t is kind of you to
regard my wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and manner
caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes with
look of inquiry, to her face. But she turn
ed aside, SO that he could not read its ex-
preston.
He was graver and more silent than usual,
and eat with scarcely an appearance OF ap-
petite. "Come home early, DEAR" said Mrs.
! Whitman, as she walked to the door with
her husband, after dinner.
"Are you impatient to have me admire
your silk dress p he replied, with vain cf.
| fort TO smile.
"Yes, it will be something splendid" she
answered.
He turned off from her, quickly, and left
the house. A few moments she stood, with
thoughtful face, her mind indrawn, and her
whole manner completely changed. Then
she went to her room, and commenced dres-
sing to go out.
Two hours later and we find her in a jew
elry store on Broadway.
"Can say word to you 2" she addressed
the owner of the store, who knew her very
we'll.
Certainly" he replied, and they moved
toward the lower end Of the long show
cases.
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket a
lady's watch and chain, and laying them on
the show case, said, at the same time hold
ing out the bill she had taken from the en-
velope addressed to her husband.
81 cannot afford to wear this watch" my
husbands circumstances are too limited. l
! Ali ehoull hav n
been purchased, but too indulgent hus-
band yielded to the opportunities of fool
ish wife. l say this to take blame from
him. Now, sir, meet the case, if you can do
so in fairness to yourself. Take back the
watch, and say how much / shall pay you
besides"
The jeweller dropped his eyes TO think.
The case took him a little by surprise.
He stood for nearly minute then TAX
ing the bill aud watch, said:
"Wat moment" and then went to a
desk near by.
"Will that do 2" he had come forward
again, and now presented her with the re-
ceipted bill. His face wore placid express
sion.
"How much shall pay you 2" asked Mrs.
Whitman, drawing out her pocket book.
"Nothing. The watch is not defaced."
"You have done kind act, sir" said Mrs.
Whitman, with feeling, and trembling along
her voice. II hope you will not think un,
favorably of my husband. 1t is no fault OF
his that the bin has not been paid. GOOD,
morning sir.n Mrs. Whitman drew her veil
over her face, and went with light steps and
light heart from the store. The pleasure she
bed experienced on receiving her watch was
not to be compared to what she felt on part
ING with it. From the jewellers shewent to
|, the boot maker's-and paid the bill of twen-
ty.five dollars from thence to the milliner's
and settled for her last bonnet.
~ know you are dying to see my new
dress,n said Mrs. Whitman, gaily, as she
drew her arm within that of her husband
on his appearance that evening. "Come
; over to our bedroom and let me show it
Come along Don't hang back, Charles, as
if you are afraid"
, Charles Whitman went with his wife, pas
siyely, looking more like man on his way
to receive sentence, than in expectation o.
a pleasant sight. His thoughts were bitter
"Sball my Ada became lost to moi" hs
l said In his heart--"lost to me in a world o.
i folly, fashion and extrayagancep
T "Sit down, Charlesn She led him to
llaroa oushioned chair Her manner had un