Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-08-06
SELECTED STORY.
~7->>~7-1-'->'-> -
SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.
BY THE AUTHOR OF TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR
ROOM"

II must have it, Charles" said the hand
some little wife to Mr.. Whitman. "Se
don't put on that sober face"
Did [ put on sober face Z" asked the
husband, wi4h an attempt to smile that was
any thing but success.
Eyes, sober as man on trial for his life.
Why, it's as long as the moral law. There,
dear, clear it up, and lock as if you had al
least one friend in the world. What money
lovers you men are p
"How much will it cost 2" inquired Mr.
Whitman. There was another effort to look
cheerful and acquiescent.
"About forty dollars" was answered,
with Just little faltering in the ladys voice,
for she knew the sum would sound extrava-
giant.
'.Forty dollars! Why ADA do. you think
1 am made of money! Mr.. Whitman's
countenance underwenta remarkable change
Of expression.
= II declare, Charles" said his wife, little
impatiently, 'you look at me as if | were
an object of fear instead Of affection | dom
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 du-
ring the same period, and every one of hers
cost more than mine. I know you think
me extravagant, but | wish you had a wife
like some women l could name | rather
think you'd find out the difference before
long"
''Thcre pet, don't talk to me after this
fashion! IN bring you the money at dinner
time; that is, if" al
9" No ifs nor butts if you please. The
sentence is complete without them. Thank
you, dear! I'll 60 this afternoon and buy
the silk. So don't fail TO bring the money
I was in atSilkskins yesterday, and saw one
Of the sweetest patterns ever laid my eyes
on. Just suits my style and complexion.
shall be inconselable if it's gone. You won't
disappoint me % .sa7itaqsd f 81 r.9 s7eG..
And Mrs Whitman laid her soft, white
hand on the arm Of her husband, and look
ed with sweet persuasion in his face.
Il ''Oh, no.. s You shall have the money
said Mr.. Whitman, turning from his wife,
as she thought little abruptly, and hurry.
ing from her presence. In his precipita'
ton he had forgotten the usual parting kiss
'4hat's the way it is a!ways!" said Mrs
Whitman, her whole manner changing, al
the sound Of the closing street doors came
Earring upon her ears. 'Just say money te
Charles, and at once there is cloud in the
sky" -'-,.
She sat down pouting and half angry.
.'Forty dollars for new dress !" mentally
CALCULATED the husband of vain, pretty
thoughtless Mrs Whitman, as he shut thu
door after him. II promised to settl'
Thompson's coal bill to-day-thirty- three
dollars, but don't know where the none,
is to come from The coal is burnt up, ant
more must be ordered Oh, dear! Pm dis
couraged. Every year l fall behind.hand
This winter I did hope to get little in ad
vance, but if forty-dollar silk dresses are il
order, there's an end to that devoutly to b
wished for circumstance Debt, debt, debt
how have always shrunk from it: but stead
lily, now, it is moving its Brierian arm
around me, and my restricted chest iabors il
respiration. Oh, if [ could but disentangl
myself now, while | have the strength 0
early manhood, and the bonds that hold M
are weak. If Ada could see as sec=-lf
could only make her understand my position
rightly Alas! that is hopeless, fear"
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps, be
cause his heart beat quicker, and his though
was unduly excited.
j Not long time after Mr.. Whitman LET
his house, the postman delivered letter
his address His wife examined the writini
on the envelope, which was in a bold mas
culine hand, and said to herself, as she dl
SOL wonder who this can be from =
Something more than curiosity move
her. There intruded on her mind vagu
feeling Of disquiet, as if the missive Dor
unpleasant news for her husband. III
stamp showed it to be a city letter. A fey
times, of late, such letters had come to hi
address, and she had noticed that he had rea
them hurriedly, thrust them without remar
into his pocket, and become silent and sober
faced. ~ d.'-i .tta
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter. over an
over again in her hand, in thoughtful way
and as she did SO, tie image of her husband
sober-faccd and silent as he had become TO
the most Of the time, Of late, presented him
self with unusual yividness. sympath
stole into her heart. ;sii 7otrsa zs %
s.Poor Charlesp' she said, as the feelin
increased !; 'sPm afraid something is goln
wrong with him. " 9sFlI.fl
Placing the letter on the mantie-piece
where he could see it when he came in, Mrs
Whitman entered upon some household gu
ties; but strange impression, as OF
weight, lay upon her heart-a sense Of I'M
pending evil-a vague, troubled disturbing
of her usual inward dissatisfaction.
as If the thought of Mrs. Whitman recul
IL 81, ,rnr /, i, t,,,oj- ~ 4bn a1an ant silk Qres