The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-11-18

came IN, Mrs. whitman entered VI
s on some household duties, but
strange impression, as of weigh
pending evil-a vauge, troubled dii
turbance of her usual inward self sa
, isfaction.
If the thought, of Mrs. Whitma
REQUIRED, as was natural, to the elt
CANT silk dress of which she was t
become the owner on that day, sh
did not feel the proud satisfaction he
, vain heart experienced little Will
before. Something of its beauty ha
faded.
eff / knew what that letter cor
tained," she said, half an hour afte
it had come in, her mind still feelin.
the pressure which had come dow
upon it so strangely as it seemed t
her. !
She went to the mantle piece, tool
up the letter, and examined the su
prescription. 1t gave her no light
Steadily it kept growing upon he
that its contents were of nature {,
trouble her husband.
Hes been little mysterious O!
late" she said to herself This ide.
effected her very unpleasantly. ''H,
grows more silent and reserved,n she
added, as thought, under a kind o.
feyerish excitement, became active in
new direction. "More indrawn, al
it were, and less interested in what
goes on around him. His GOODNESS
chills me at times, and his irritation
hurts me-"
She drew q long, deep sigh. Then,
with an almost startling vividness,
came before her mind, in contrast,
her tender, loving, cheerful husband
of three years before. and her quiet,
silent, sober-faced husband of to-day.
Something has gone wrong with
him !" she said aloud, as 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 de-
sired to do so. There was a bill for
sixty dollars, and a communication
from the person sending the bill. He
was ieweler.
at this is not settled ut once" he
wrote, II shall put the account in
suit. 1t has been standing for over
a year; and 1 am tired of getting ex-
cuses instead of my money"
The bill was far q lady's watch
which Mrs. Whitman ih.sad almost
compelled her husband to purchase.
mot paid for! Is it possible ?"
exclaimed the little woman, in blank
astonishment, while the blood mount
ed to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began to como into her mind. AS
she sat thus thinking, second letter
for her husband came in from the
pennypostman. She opened it with
out hesitation Another bill, and
another dunning letter.
"Not paid Is it possible +" She
the ejaculation. 1t was q
bill of twenty-five dollars for CATERS
and slippers, which had been stand |
ing for three or four months.
"This will never dom said the |
awakening wife-''never-no, neverm
And she thrust the two letters into
her pocket in a resolute way. From
that hour until tie return of her hus-
band at dinner time, Mrs Whitman
did an unusual amount of thinking |
for her little brain. She saw, the mo-
ment he entered, that the morning
cloud had not passed from his brow.
Here is the money for that new
DRESS he said taking a small roll of
bills from his vest-bocket, and hand
ing them to Ada, as he came in. He
did not kiss her, nor smile in the old
bright way. But his voice was calm,
# not cheerful. A kiss and a smile
lust then would have been more pre-
;ious to the young wife than humid
red silk dresses. She took the money,
'aying--
"Thank you. dear! 1t is kind of
Taa to s,egard my wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and man
Ter caused Mr. Whitman to lift his
ayes, with look of inquiry, to her
ace. But she turned aside. so that
lie could not read its expression.
He was graver and more silent than
Usual, and eat with scarcely an ap-
,earance of appetite.
"Come home carly, DEAR" said Mrs.
Whitman, as she walked to the door
With her husband, after dinner.
care you impatient to have me adj
nire your new silk dress I" he replied,
With a faint effort to smile,
"Yes. 1t will be something splea-
lid" she answered.
He turned Off troza aleE quickly,
nd left the house. A few moments
he stood, with a thoughtful face. her
mind indrawn, and her whole manner
ompletely changed. Then she went
o her room, and commenced dressing
o go out. b
Two hours later, and we find her
n jewelry store ON Broadway. I
"Can / say a word to you? She
ddresssd the owner of the store, who S
new her very well, 6
Certainly" he replied, and they t
moved to the lower end Of one of the t
ong showcases,
Mrs. Whitman drew from sser ,
ocket lody's watch and chain, and
ying them on the show case, said at
ne same time holding out the bill she
ad taken from the envelope address '
d to her husband +
81 cannot afford to wear this watch; '
~ husbands circumstances are too
mited. I tell you so frankly. 1t v
hould never have been purchased, a
Ilt q foo indulcront bpcbond x,;aldaJ |