Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-12
e'AsWIFEs MISTAKE !
rom ,bo s. louis Home journal, !

From the st. Louis Home Journal
,Bertram Chester entered his cosy par
lar one day, a winning smile lingering
around the corners of his mustached
mouth glorious love-light beaming
from his "deeply, darkly, beautifully
blue eyes; but when his gaze rested
upon the troubled, if not angry, face of
his wife, he paused, and his smile van
ished, while a shade of uneaslness fitted
over his manly face. He was one OF
those grand, noble and generous men we
so often read about, but seldom see. He
approached her, printed d loving kiss
upon her lips, seated himself on the divan
beside her, and said:
"Stella, why is your unusually cheer
full face wearing shadow to-day?"
She did not reply Immediately, but
tapped the carpet with her foot, NJ
WWhy do ycu not tell me why you are
sad? You know that ! live only in the
light of your smile, and it grieves me
deeply to see you unhappy. If aught has
occurred to annoy you, tell me at once.
| have a right to know" =,
"Well, since you are so anxious, will
tell you. / was down to call on Mrs.
Mosby this morning, and she has had
her house all refsrnished with the most
costly furniture in the city; and she has
a new silver tea-set, too. We are just as
able to have new furniture as they are,
and am going to haveit j cant make
party until we do, and | believe in en-
| loving life while we do live. You are
spoken of as a prosperous man, and
where's the use of prospering if we must
be always practicing economy? Our
| carpets really begin to look soiled,. and
that horrid old piano is a year behind
| the times"
The shade deepened on his face as he
listened, and his voice was low and trem-
ulous as he replied:
"Stella, you are beginning to look
upon the wrong side Of Life's picture
What are you living for2 to win the adu-
lation of the gay world, or to contribute
to my happiness? Had you visited q
home where in sorrow and rags, want
was eating up the life blood of the in
mates. you would have come home thank
ing God that your home was as pleasant
as it is. The carpets would then have
| looked bright and beautiful, and you
would have been contented and happy
! | am prosperous man, and if continue
TO prosper, will one day be rich; but how
long would ] prosper if you did not as
sist me TO husband the means we have.
In other words, IL ] save two thousand
dollars year, and you throw away three
thousand by useless extravaganza, how
long would j meet the demands OF my
cfeditors2 We have lived as our means
would allow, and haven't tried to initiate
those who are wealthier than ourselves,
and we have been very happy. If you
permit the giant discomfort 70 gain pos
session of you, you can bid farewell TO
happiness. Times are hard now, END
cannot afford to refurnish our house; but
if we live economically year or two, |
can then afford new furniture don t
like to see misfortune visit our friends,
hut if Louis Mosby does not retrench in
his style of living he will be bankrupt
in less than six months His residence
is mortgaged for half its value, and If
his debts were all paid, he would not be
worth two thousand dollars.
"Well | don't care; our property is
not mortpaged, and | am going TO have
things like other folks. You are very
clever to read me a homily on discon-
tent, but / would like to know how much
You throw away at champagne parties
and card playing? You have your en-
joyment, and am going 10 have minel
she replied haughtily. He.
"Stella, desist will you not listen to
reason? You know | do not attend
champagne and euchre parties. lon
never spoke so to me before in your life.
Surely. you will not. destroy our domes-
tic bliss in this vain and foolish manner
simply to make parade in the fashion
able world. If you carry your plans
into execution, may God help usl for
positively swear can't spare the money
out of my business. Can you not fore
90 this desire to live beyond our means
he pleaded. >.
II know we can afford it, and | won't
be happy until get things fixed up as
want them. If you don't attend cham
payne parties, you spend just as much
on wines, cigars, etc., she replied
spiritedly.
al have never tasted wine since we
were married. | love the taste of it,
therefore / have the moral courage 70
resist the temptation. Did allow my
self to indulge in dram-drinking, would
soon become a confirmed drunkard.
Therefore beware. dear wife, lest you
cause me to. seek forgetfnlness in the
poisoned bowl, he replied sorrowfuily.
"You are always trying to sFighten me
into obedience. / am not afraid OF your
drunkard, and now, Berta, do
be sensible. l have set my heart on hay
ing new furniture, and can't be Happy
until get it" she replied firmly.
eSteila, can't you believe me when
say can't aitesa i
40. hush I'm tired to death OF ages
ing your doleful complaints; Your face
is as long as my arm. / tell yon we can
md viii have I'll she said, as she. rose /
ana leit tbs Tfagn in anything buta lady |
Ike manneg a.liH
Bertram bowed his bead, and q moan |
escaped his lips. '."S She is blrdt Can |
she never realize what this vain deter /
mination will bring upon usf If she
carries her plans into execution, happi-