The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-09-04
SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.
ny THE AUTHOR or ''TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR
ROOM.

must have It, Charles, said the
handsome little wife to Mr.. Whitman.
$50 don't put on that sober face.
"Did put on q sober face 7" asked
the husband, with IN attempt to smile
That was anything but success.
Yes, sober as man on trial for his
life Why, it's as long as the 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 r
"How much will it cost ?" inquired
Mr.. Whitman. There was another cf-
fort to look cheerful and acquiescent.
about forty dollars, was answered,
with just little faltering in the lady's
voice, for she knew the sum would
sound extravagant.
Forty dollars +! Why Ada, do you
think am made of money!" Mr..
Whitman's countenance underwent a
remarkable change of expression.
II declare, Charles, said his wife, a
little impatiently, you look at me as
if were IN object of fear instead OF
affection. I 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. and every one OF hers
cost more than mine. / know YOU
think me extrayagant. but l wish you
had wife like some women ] could
name. I rather think you'd find out
the difference before long"
There pet, don't talk to me after
this fashion I'll bring you the money
at dinner t.me that Is, if"
"No ifs or butts, il you please.
The sentence is complete without
them. Thank you, dear I'll go this
afternoon and buy the silk So don'i
fail to bring the money. / was in al
Silkskins Yesterday. and saw one Of the
sweetest patterns ever laid my eyes
on. Just suits my style and complex.
ion. / shall be inconsolable If it'sgone
You won't disappoint me p
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft
white hand on the arm Of her husband
and looked with sweet persuasion il
his face.
ooh, no. You shall have the money.
said Mr.. Whitman, turning from hii
wife, as she thought little abruptly
and hurrying from her presence. In
his precipitation he had forgotten tho
usual parting kiss.
"That's the way ii is always p said
Mrs. Whitman, her whole manner
changing, as the closing street doors
came jarring upon her ears. "Jus
say money to Charles. and at once
there is q cloud i'll the sky"
She sat down pouting and half angry.
"For v dollars for a new dress !
mentally calculated the husband o.
vain, pretty, tboughtless Mrs. Whit
man, as he shut the door after him
81 promised to settle Thompson's Goa
bill to-day-thirty-three dollars. .-but
don't know where the money II to come
from. The coal is burnt up, and more
must be ordered. Oh. dear I'm dis
couraged. Every year I fall behind
hand. This winter / did hope to get 0
little in advance, but If forty-dollai
silk dresses are in order, there's an
end to that deyoutly to be wished for
circumstance. Debt, debt, debt! how
II have always shrunk away from it
but steadily, now, it il moving its Brtc.
rian arms around me, and my restrict
ed chest labors In respiration. Oh, II
| I could but disentangle myself now,
while / have the strength OF early
manhood, and the bonds that hold me
are weak. If Ada could see as see
If I could only make her understand
my position rightly. Alas! that is
hopeless. / fear"
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps,
because T.. s:e L.:eart beat quicker, and his
thought was unduly excited.
Not long after Mr.. Whitman left his
house. the postman delivered a let
ter to his address. His wife examined
the writing on the enyelop. 1t was IN
a bold. masculine hand, and said to
herself, as she did so-"I wonder who
this can be from 2"
Something more than curiosity
moved her. There intruded on hel
mind vague feeling of disquiet, as il
the missive bore unpleasant news fol
her husband. The stamp showed it tc
be city letter. A few times, of late,
such letters had come to his address
and she noticed that he had read then
hurriedly, thrust them without remark
into his pocket, aud become silent and
sober-fnced..
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter
over and over again in her hand, in {
thoughtful way, and as she did SO the
image of her husband, sober-faced ant
silent as he had become for the mos
of the time, of late, presented himself
with unusual vividness. Sympath,
stolainto her heart.
Poor Charles r she said, as tn,
feeling increased /; I'm afraid some
thing is going wrong with him.
Placing the letter on the mantle
piece, where he could see it when b,
came in, Mrs. Whitman entered upoI
some household duties but strang'
impression, as of q weight, lay upoI
her heart-a sense of impending evil
d vague, troubled disturbance of he
usual inward self-satisfaction.
| If the thought of Mrs. Whitman re
curred, as was natural, to the elegan
silk dress of which she was to becom,
the owner on that day, she did not fee
the proud satisfaction her vain hear
experienced little while before
Something of its beauty had faded.
4 eff I only knew what that lette
: contained she said, half an hou
after it had come in, her mind still
feeling the pressure which had com
down upon it so strangely, as it seemed