The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-01-10

to the sidewalk, "Strange-ous ner mo"''
or was 6ne woman, and very good man.
ager. certainly viii 60 round to tea this
evening"
So he did. And, as Sarah had explained
to her husband that he was an old friend,
and that she met and invited him and As
she was woman enough to keep him In the
furnished part Of tho house, the "venins
went of very pleasantly indeed. We need
not follow the couple through the next two
months day by day. The landlord was
frequent visitor, and was delighted with the
daughter Of his old friend, and with her
husband. And, though he wondered what
the game she was playing meant, he cared
the less. since, whatever happened, by'her
monthly payments he was secure, and held
the stakes.
As the first Of April. approached, there
came something like cloud OF anxiety on
iienry's face. The rent was to DO provid-
ed for and the thing was further compli-
Gated by the landlords being n personal
friend. And Sarah, with all her "musty
proverbs," had no, proved, IN tho three
months housekeeping, SO very good man
ager. Sho had made frequent demands for
money. And she had insisted Upon max.
ing all the house purchases, and obstinately
refused in the most uncompliant manner to
come into his propositions to order goods
where people would have been proud Of
their patronage. The style. Of living had
been plain and satisfactory; but he could
not see where all the money had gone, es-
pecially as his difficult little wife had never
been able to find servants to suit her.
And on the first Of April that very day
when he fancied that he had tho rent to
look up his wife suggested that "now she
would like to complete the house furnish.
ing. Sho had heard Of an excellent cook
for sixteen dollars month, and could fnl
u waiting-maid for twelve"
ayes, my dear"
"And there are some lovely things in the
furniture line for our parlor; and such nm
excellent range can he had for the kitchen,
and the landlord will give us permission to
put il in l know. 1t viii not cost moro
than hundred and fifty dollars all coin.
plcte."
"Prices have very much increased, you
know, Sarah"
"Oh, yes, | know but the house must
bo furnished, as you have always said. We
can do !, elegantly for five hundred dollars,
and quite respectfully Tor two."
"Well, we'll, Ill ee!"
And Sarah laughed her quiet laugh as
her bewidered husband took his way to
the stnre, hot bali % anxious as be once
had been to invest in movables.
All the day long he worried in expectation
of the lanlord's collector. Hs had quite
drawn his proportion Of money from the
firm for the quarter; and now, from an
empty exchequer were rent to pay, and a
large house to furnish. Ofcourse the COL
lector did not call; we, who are in secret
know why, but Mr.. Henry Prince had not
an idea. Certainly the dream Of married
life had quite lost its hues Of glory. As TO
the rent no thought he could get that, some
how, his famous mode in difficulties. And,
for the furniture, If his wife were only a
reasonable woman, that could be had too,
on reasonable credit; but he knew that she
would rather the house would remain un-
fiisnished than incur any debt. So, on the
whole. he returned home in the evening,
feeling that he was very ill.used man.
The wife had news for him. The dc.
mand for houses had 30 increased that she
had learned, and through the landlord, too,
that hs could receive five hundred dollars
bonus for his lease. "Confound him."
thought Harry to himself, 'he's alarmed
for his rent He might have sent for il, he
fore taking il for granted that he should not
get it I'll call round and pay him to!mor.
row. if I have to pawn my watch !" but hc
said nothing out, and Sarah proceeded.
"Fivo hundred dollars would be SO conven.
lent, you know. It would pay our rent for
the rest Of the year ; and longer IL we took
a smaller house"
Henry winched; for he wondered where
the money was to come from for the first
quarter. Waving that part OF the question
however, no suggested that finding new
house might be attended with some Diff
Guilty; and that it nigh, be quite as well to
secure another home, before turning them.
selves out Of doors.
Henry was evidently not in very good
humor; bu, his wife was wickedly cheer
fhl. Suppose" she said, 'that should
tell you that we can move tomorrow into
another house, and, at halfthe rent Of this ?"
ain which narrow court, or what blind
alleyT'
"In neither court nor alley, but over the
|Schuylkill, where we can find, just in time,
the advantages Of q summer residence, and
return next fall, you insist upon it."
"Do you wish Il, Sarah 2"
"Unques,ionably!"
"And where will you put the new funi.
,ure There will be scarce room in small.
er house for that we have"
But VIC need not give, word for word, the
residue of'ho conversation especially asa
good psr Off. was done 10 psntOmlss-|
very expressive pautomiuc, though not va.
rious. The posture which Columbine took
was to lean her head on her loving hus-
bands breast; and no never quite know,
,,r,;t ,h;s vexv houy what n trl,lv loviu1