The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-11-18
geleft STORY.
Sober Second Thought.

] Sober Second Thought.
"I must have it, Charles" said tn
handsome little wife of Mr., Whit
man. $50, don't put on that sobe
face"
"Did / put on sober face z" ask
ed the husband, with an attempt t,
smile that was anything but sue
cess.
eyes, sober as a man on trial fol
his life. Why, it's as long as tn,
moral law. There, dear, clear it up,
and look as if you had at least one
friend in the world. What money.
lovers you men are !"
"How much will it cost p inquired
Mr.. Whitman. There was another
effort to look cheerful and acquies.
cent. a.
"About forty dollars" was an,
swered, with just little faltering in
the lady's voice, for she knew the sum
would sound eXtravagant.
HForty dollars Why, Ada, do you
think 1 am made of money!" Mr..
Whitman's coun tenance underwent q
remarkable change of expression.
81 declare, Charles" said his wife,
a little impatiently, "you look at me
as if / were an object of fear instead
of affection. 1 don't think this is
kind of you. I've only had three silk
dresses since we were married, while
Amy Blight has had six or seven
during the same period. know you
think me extravagant, but l wish you
had n wife like some women l could
name. I rather think you'd find out
the difference before long"
There, there, pet, don't talk to
me after this sashion! !! I'll bring you
the money at dinner time; that is,
if"
mo ifs nor butts if you please.
The sentence is complete without
them. Thank you, dearl I'll go
this afternoon and buy the silk. So
don't fail to bring the money. Twas
in silkskin'i yesterday, and saw one
of the sweetest patterns ever laid
my eyes on. Just suits my style and
complexion. / shall be inconsolable
if it's gone. You won't disappoint
me?"
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft,
white hand Gil the arm of her hus-
band, and smiled with sweet persua-
sion in her face.
"Oh, no. You shall have the mon
ey," said Mr. Whitman, turning 6g
from his wife, as she thought, little
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 ct once there is a cloud in the
sky"
She sat down, pouting and half an
CRY:
"Forty dollars for new dress~
mentally calculated the husband of
vain, pretty, thoughtless Mrs. Whit
man, as he shut the door after him |
81 promised to settle Thompson's
coal bill to-day-thirty-three dollars
but don't know where the money is
to come from. The coal is burnt up,
and more must be ordered. Oh,
dearl Pm discouraged. Every year
1 fall behindhand. This winter, did
hope to get little in advance, but if |
forty dollar silk dresses are the order |
of the day, there's an end to that de-
voutly to be wished for circumstance |
Debt! debt! How 7 haze always
shrunk from it; but steadily, now, it
is closing its Briarian arms around |
me, and my constructing chest labors
in respiration. Oh, fl could but
myself now, while have
the strength of early manhood, and
the bonds that hold me are weak
If Ada could see as see-if could
only make her understand rightly my
position. Alas! that is hopeless, /
fear"
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his
steps, because his heart beat quicker,
and his thought was unduly excited.
Not long time after Mr.. Whit
uan left home, the city postmaster
delivered a letter to his address,
His wife examined the writing on
the envelope, which was in a bold,
masculine hand. and said to herself,
Is she did so-'I wonder who this can
be from ?"
Something more than curiosity
moved her. There intruder on her
mind vauge feeling of disquiet, as
f the missive bore unpleasant news
or her husband. The stamp showed 1
t to be city letter. A few times, II
If late, such letters had come to his ,
address,, and she had noticed that he
lad read them hurriedly, thrust them ,
Without remark into his pocket, and ]
became silent and sober-faced. {
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter
,ver and over again in her hand, in I
thoughtful way, and as she did SO the !.
mage of her husband, sober-faced I
nd silent as he had become for most j
f the time, of late, presented itself s
With unusual vividness. Sympathy
tole into her heart.
HPoor Charlesp she said, as the t
ceiling increased; ''T'm afraid some 6