The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-10-21

At the end of the year Mark cast up
the account in the little book, and was
nightly astonished at it, for with all his
ideas of the powers of numbers, he had
no ideas that the twos, and fives, and tens,
and ones, which no greater or smaller &C.
casions had found their way into his col
umns, would amount to sum so consider
able. Mark looked about him-the world
was going we'll, his business machinery
moving in exact touch and time-his
house, was there prettier one? where a
place more replete with home drawing
comforts had he lost anything in pleasure
the year past? Mark thought not, and
therefore as he walked homeward, he step
ped into booksellers and ordered some
books of superb engravings for Mrs.
Meriden, and spoke to the gardner to-
send some elegant Towering exotics for
which he had heard her express an ad-
miration some evenings before
That same evening came in Ben San
ford as he expressed it, Gin the very
depths ofindigo +" for young gentlemen
whose worldly affairs invariably go on
wrong end foremost will sometimes be
found in this condition, however exuber-
ant may be their stock of animal spirit.
"Pray, Ben, what is the matter ~
said Mark, kindly, as the latter stretched
himself at length in an old arm chair
grooming audiblv.
cob, bilious attack-Mark shoe
makers bills! tailors' blllsi boarding
bills! all sent in for new years presents
hang 'em all /"
Mark was silent for a few moments,
and Ben continued :" Confound it, Mark
what's the sense of living, il fellow is to
be so very poor Here yon, Mark, born
In the same town with me, and younger
than by some two years, you have a.
house as snug as man need ask, wife
like an angel, peace and plenty by the
bushel, and ali comes of having good
run of luck in the money line" and Ben.
kicked his papers against the andirons|
most energetically.
"What has become of Miss Emily
P---?" asked Mark, after a pause.
"Poor soul " said Ben, there she is
yet, with all sweetness and patience,
waiting till such luckless scrapegrace as
| can give her home and q husband. !
wish to my SOUL for her sake, / could af
ford to be married and have home of
my own besides, to tell the truth, am
tlred of this rambling, and scrambling,
out at the elbow, slip-shod life"
"Why don't you get married ?" said
Mark
why don't /? to be sure-use nv
tailors bills for fuel, and my board bills
for house rent, and shoe bills for bread
and butter hey? Would you recommend
a poor girl to try me, Max, all things
consdered?" said Ben bitterly.
Mark reflected while in silence, and
then drew out his book, his little book, to
which we have before alluded
"Just look at this account, Ben" said
he, Il know you hate figures, but just for
once.35i1o uo a} ga.tg Oil.
Ben glanced at it impatiently, laugh
ed when he read over the two or three
| first items but his face lengtheped as he
/ proceeded and Mark detected sort of
whistle of astonishment as he read the
sum total. g6.ga SIS 4ea
tWell, Mark he exclaimed, "what
a very old gentlemanly, considerable
trick of yours to sit behind your counter
and so coolly note down the cost and
come to of all our little froiics-really,
it is most editying. How much you have
enjoyed your superior discretion and
forethought," and Ben did laugh, but
not with his usual glee.
"Nav, you mistake" said Mark, 81
keep this account merely to see what |
had been in the habit Of spending my
self, and as you and have always been
hand in glove in everything, it answers
equally for you. 1t Was only yesterday
that summed up the account, and as
sure you the result surprised myself; and
now, Ben, the sum set down, and as much
more as you please, is freely at your dis
posal, to clear off old scores for the year,
provided you will accept with it this lit
tie book as new years gift, and use it
twelve months as | have done, and if at
the end that time you are not ready to
introduce me to Mrs. Sanford, | am
much mistaken" d 1tglr-5 hgsgerc.
, Ben grasped his friends hand, but Just
then the entrance of Mrs. Meriden pre-.
vented his reply. Mark, however, saw
with satisfaction that he put the book
carefully in his vest pocket, and buttoned
up his coat with the air of q man who is
buttonlng up new resolution.
When they parted for the night. Mark
said with a smile, In cases Of bilious
attacks, you know where to send for med.
, lcine ben answered only by fervenl
grasp OF the hand, for his throat felt toe
7 full for him to answer.
Mark Merlden's book answered the
purpo Sc admirably. In less than two
years Ben Sanford was the most popula,
! lawyer In --, and as steady house
holder as you might wish to see (; and, in
conclusion, we will ask our lady readers
!, heir opinion on one point, and it is this
If Mrs. Meriden had been woman who
understood what is called catching a
beau, better than securing husband
IT she had never curled her hair except
f for company, and tho't it degradation tc
know how to keep house comfortably