Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-05-05


She drew a long, deep sigh. Then
with an almost startling vividness, came
before her mind, in contrast, her tender
loving, cheerful husband of three years
before, and her quiet, sOber-faced hus'
band of to-day.
something has gone wrong with
him." she said aloud, as feeling grew
stronger. "What can it be-"
The letter was in her hand.
"Tbis may give me light" And with
careful fjngersf she opened the envelope,
not breaking the paper, so that she
could seal it again if she desired so to do.
There was a bill for sixty dollars, and a
communication from the person send
ing the bill. He was jeweler.
"If this is not settled at once" he
wrote, II shall put the account in suit:
1t has been standing for over year, and
am tired of getting excuses instead OF
my money"
The bill was for lady's watch, which
Mrs. Whitman had almost compelled
her husband to purchase.
Not paid foII Is it possible?" ex-
claimed the little women, in blank as
tonishment, while the blood mounted
to her forehead.
Then she sat down to think. Light
began to come into her mind. AS she
sat thus thinking, second letter came
in for her husband from the penny-post-
man. She opened it without hesitation.
Another bill another dunning letter!
mot paid! Is it possible?' She re-
peated the ejaculation. 1t was bill of
TWENTY-FIVE dollars for CATERS and slip
pers, which had been standing for three
or four months.
LII n -, nlyn
ing wife-''never-no, neveri" And
she thrust the two letter into her pock-
ct i'm a resolute way. From that hour
until the return of her husband at din
uer time, Mrs. Whitman did an unusual
amount of thinking for her little brain.
She saw, the moment he entered, that
the morning cloud had not passed from
his brow.
"Here is the money fer that new
dress" he said, taking a small roll of
bills from his vest pocket, and handing
them to Ada, as he came in. He did
not kiss her, nor smile in the old bright
way. But bis voice was calm, if not
cheerful. A kiss and a smile would
have been more precious to the young
wife than a hundred silk dresses. She
took the M meney, saying:
'Thank you, dear! 1t is kind of you
to regard my wishes"
Something in Ada's voice and man.
ner caused Mr.. Whitman to lift his eyes,
with look of inquiry to her face. But
she turned it aside, so that he could not
read its expression.
He was graver and more silent than
usual, and ate with scarcely an appear
ance of appetite.
"Come home early. dear" said Mrs.
as she walked to the door
with her husband, after dinner.
"Are you impatient to have me ad-
mire your new silk dress?" he replied,
with faint effort to smile.
"Yes. 1t will be something Splendid"
she answered.
He turned off from her quickly. and
left the house. A few moments she
stood, with thoughtful face, her mind
ndrawn, and her whole manner COM
Dletely changed. Then she went to her
room, and commenced dressing to gol
)ut.
Two hours later, and we find her in
4 jewelry store on Broadway.
"Can l say word to you?" She
herself to the owner of the |
store, who knew her very well.
Certainly" he replied, and they
moved to the lower end of the long
Mrs. Whitman drew from her pocket
a lady's watch and chain, and laying
hem on the showcase, said, at the |
same time holding out the bill she had
.aken from the envelope addressed to
ler husband:
II cannot affort to wear this watch;
ny husbands circumstances are too |
limited. tell you so frankly. 1t should
never have been purchased; but too
ndulgent husband yielded to the i'm
of a foolish young wife.
iay this to take blame from him. Now,
ir, meet the case, if you can do so in
to yourself. Take back the watch
md say how much 1 shall pay you
,esides."
The jeweler dropped his eyes to think.
The case took him little by surprise.
He stood for nearly a minute; then
aking the bill and watch, he said
wait moment" and went to desk
near by.
Twill that do?p He had come for
ward again, and now presented her
With the receipted bill. His face wore
pleased expression.
How much shall L pay you?" asked
Mrs. Whitman, drawing out her pock-
.t-book.
Nothing. The watch is not de-
aced."
"You have done kind act, SIR" said
Mrs. Whitman, with feeling, trembling
lnfavoral ly of my husband. It's no
ault of his that the bill has not been
,aid Good morning, SIR"
Mrs. Whitman drew her veil over her
ace, and went, with light steps and
light heart, fsom the store. The pleas
Ire she had experienced on receiving
Ter watch was not to be compared with I
hat now felt in parting with it. From
hejeweler's she went to the boot-maker'
nd paid the bill of twenty-five dollars;
rom hence to her milliner's, and settled
or her last bonnet.
II know you're dying to see my new
lress," said Mrs. Whitman, gaily, as
he drew her arm within that of her
husband, on his appearance that even
ng. Come over to our bedroom, and
ct me show it. Come alongI-Don't
lang back, Charles, as if you were
fraid.n
Charles Whitman went with his wife
'assively looking more like man OIL
lis way TO receive sentence, than in ex
'ecta.ion of a pleasant sight. His
houghts were bitter.
"Shall my Ada become lost to me?'
lie said in his heart-"lost to me in a
world of folly, fashion and eXtrava-
ance?"
"Sit down, Charles" She led him
o large, cushioned chair. Her man
er hs d undergone a chage. The bright
ess of her countenance had departed.
he took something, in hurried way,
rom drawer, and catching up foot
tool, placed it on the floor near him,
nd sitting down, leaned upon him, and
ooked tenderly and lovingly into his
ace. Then she handed him the Jew
ler's bill.
at is receipted, you see." Her voice
inf IN liftI.,