The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-04-11
RIDGWAY, PA. THURSDAY, APRIL H. 1872.

-. - -
the eyelids was long conquered; but the
ennobling expression of maternity had
replaced these, and the dignity of the
young matron well became the young
figure.
1t had long been conceded that if
Mrs. Morford was not especially well
versed in small-talk, scandal and flirt-
ing, that she was more than usually well
read, and could converse easily and
gracefully with men whose society was
esteemed an honor from their intellec-
tual requirements or scientific standing.
She was no pedant, and made no pre-
tensions to literary attainments beyond
the usual requirements of her sex; but
she read and studied intelligently, and
where she found the conversation soar
ing beyond her comprehension, could
listen modestly, and gain information.
She was entirely happy. How many
can say so truly?
But a blow was to come to her that
was sudden and unexpected. 1t was at
a large evening party that she heard
the first intimation OF approaching dan
ger.
She was seated in deep window-seat,
hidden by the heavy curtains, when two
gentlemen, standing near her, COM
menced conversation that made her
heart seem to stand still.
"They say" said one, "that Morford
& Giles will have to suspend payment"
81 have heard such rumor. They
suffered severely by the failure of Willets
e Co."
"And l suspect they suffer some from
the extravaganza of Arnolds wife. That
woman's dress must cost small fortune,
and the children are always q mass Of
embroidery and finery."
"Her jewelry would support fam
ily."
The voices died away, but Ettie had
heard enough. Was this really true
Her conscience was clear, for she knew
that Arnold alone was to blame for her
own and her children's expensive ward
robes. Her jewelry was always Christ
mas or birthday gift from her husband,
and he knew, if no others did, that it
was to please him she wore expensive
toilets, when she would have willingly
returned to the simple muslins and cali
Goes of her girlhood.
There was glad smile on her lips as
she parted the curtains, and stepped in
to the room.
An hour later, she was in her own
room with her husband, and throw
ing aside her wrappiags, she made him
sit beside her, by pleading" am
not tired, AMI want to talk to you"
Not looking in his face, she repeated
the conversation she had heard, and
asked:
"Is it true, Arnold I"
"That your extravaganza has embar-
rassed us! No. We are in difficulties,
great difficulties, but we hope to wealth
er the storm. Willets & Company's
failure was great blow to us, and we
unfortunately made some losing invest
ments in the fall. If could now have
ten thousand dollars to meet present
emergencies, we could see our way clear.
1 hope to borrow that"
But if you borrow it, you must pay
it back"
Certainly. But we gain time"
"Still, if you could have it without
borrowing"
THAT would, indeed, relieve us. But
that is impossible"
ARNOLD, will you listen to u story,
and not ask any questions till it is fin
ished z"
"Is it not too late for stories to-
night!"
"Please, let me tell you"
"Wellw
"Once upon time, there was little
country girl who married rich city
merchant. She had been poor girl all
her life, and industry had become
necessity to her. After her marriage
she found herself condemned to life of
almost entire idleness. Her husband
was fond of her and proud of her, and
one of his prides was to see her always
beautifully dressed. In order to ensure
this, he gave her liberal allowance for
material and dressmaker's bills. Now,
this wicked little woman having knack
for sewing, took it into her head that
dressmakers and milliners were not
necessary to aid her in making fash
ionable appearance, and secretly, while
her husband was away during the day,
she learned to make her own dresses and
hats. CAildren came to bless her, and
the generous allowance for dress was in
creased, while still time was found for
embroideries and dainty stitching for
the little ones. In all this time the lit
tie woman kept memorandum of the
cost saved upon each dress, and by way
of preparing an umbrella for a rainy
day, commenced little hoard of money,
that grew year by year, till Arnold,
do you not guess how my story is to
endY have more than enough saved
to help you now. You have been SO
generous, that have saved over thou
sand dollars every year, and now you
will not have to borrow money to meet
your embarrassments, for it is here, in
the house, all your own"
And nobody knew or guessed that
Morford & Giles owned their continued
and credit to the economy and
industry of Arnold's wife.