The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-04-04

Scarcely day passed that Mr.. and Mrs.
Jacobs did not order something from the
store, not dreaming, simple souls, that an
alarmingly heavy debt was accommodating
against them.
As to the income of Mr.. Jacobs, it was
not large. He was, as has been iutimated
clerk in wholesale store, and received
a salary Of seven hundred dollars year.
His family consisted of wife and three
children, and he found it necessary to be
prudent in all his expenditures, in order
to make both ends meet" Somewhat
independent in his feelings, he had never
asked credit of any one with whom he
dealt, and no one offering it, previous to
the tempting inducement held out by Ed
wards, he had regulated his out-goes by
his actual income. BY this means he
had managed to keep even with the world
though not to gain any advantages ON the
side of fortune. Let us see how it was
with him at the end of six months, under
the new system. Let us see if his good
credit has been of any real benefit to
him.
1t was so very pleasant to have things
comfortable, Or for little display, with
out feeling that the indulgence drained
the purse too heavily. And weak vanity
on the part of the Jacobs, was gratifed
by the hatterng opinions of his honesty
entertained by Edwards, the storekeeper.
His credit was good" and he was proud
of the fact. But the day of reckoning
was approaching, and at last it came.
Notwithstanding the credit at the dry
goods store, there was no more money in
the young clerks purse at the end of the
six months than at the beginning. The
cash that would have gone for clothing
when necessity called for additions to the
family wardrobe, had been spent for the
things, the purchase of which would have
been omitted but for the fact that the
dollars were in the purse instead of in the
storekeeper's hands and tempted needless
expenditure.
As the end of the six months credit
period approached, the mind of Jacobs
began to rest upon the dry-goods dealers
bill, and to be disturbed by feeling of
anxiety. AS to the amount of this bill
he was in some uncertainty; but he
thought that it would not be less than
forty dollars. That was a large sum for
him to owe, particularly as he had nothing
ahead, and his current expenses were full
| iy up to his income. 1t was now for the
first time in his life, that Jacobs felt the
nightmare pressure of debt, and itseemed
at times as if it would almost suffocate
| him. F.r ....r..
One evening he came home, feeling
more sober than usual. He had thought
Of little all day besides his bill at the
store. On meeting his wife he saw that
something was wrong.
"What ails you, Jane?" said he, kind
ly. " Are you sick?"
No." was the simple reply. But her
eyes dropped as she said it, and her hus-
band saw that her lips slightly quiver-
ed. .. 81. @ s|4 la al. .0F h.HH
Something is wrong, Jane, said the
husband. .r E.Hl Iisr
Tears stole to the wife's cheeks from
beneath her halfclosed eyes-the bosom
labored with the weight Of some pressure.
"Tell me, jane" urged Jacobs, " if
anything is wrong? Y Iour manners alarm
me. Are any of the children sick 7"
ooh, no, no; nothing of that" was
quickly answered; but-but-Mr. Ed
wards has sent in his bill"
That was to be expected, of course"
said Jacobs, with forced calmness g the
credit was only for six months. But how
much is the bill?" n..
His voice was unsteady as he asked
the question. XXI. ..rr..l
"A hundred and twenty dollars" And
poor Mrs Jacobs burst into tears.
Impossiblew exclaimed the startled
husband impossible There is some
mistake A hundred and twenty dol
ars Never %
"There is the bill" And Mrs. Jacobs
drew it from her bosom.
Jacobs glanced eagerly at the footing-up
of figures. There were numerals to the
value of one hundred and twenty.
" 1t can't be" he said, in troubled
voice. Edwards has made mistake"
:" SO | thought when l first looked at
the bill" ," replied Mrs Jacobs, recovering
herself, yet speaking in sad voice.
But, ! am sorry to say, that it is right.
/ have been over it again, and cannot
find any error Oh, dear how foolish l
have been, 1t was so easy to get things
when no money had to be paid down.
But / never thought Of a bill like this /;
nevsrp
Jacobs sat for some moments with his
eyes upon the floor. He was thinking