Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-07
f a sudden Hight broke upon her mind, she

exclaimed:
"In debt we must not remain, Henry
Tell me, will two hundred dollars pay all
we owe, even the advance on your salary ?''
81 believe it will but this sum it is i'm
possible for me to raise excepting by Dor
rowing of some friend. suppose l must
do this and repay it in small instalments."
THAT might answer" was the thought
ful reply. but promise me you will not
do anything about it tomorrow, | have
particular reasons for the request"
Il will promise certainly, if you desire
it, Annie, but cannot think what plan
you have in your little head"
Mrs. Walton smiled, but there were
tears in her eyes, and it was with difficult
ty that she forced them back.
Her husband felt relieved now that she
knew all, and with something of his for
mer cheerfulness he took up favorite vol
ume and read aloud until their usual hour
forlretiring to rest.
Long after he slept quietly his wife
counted the weary hours, and wished that
her busy mind would rest, that she could
forget all for a brief space and slumber by
his side.
Morning came at length, and as soon as
breakfast was over. babies attended to-.
and husband gone to his business, Mrs.
Walton proceeded to carry out the plan
which had occurred to her on the preced-
ing evening, as a possible means of get
ting out of difficulty.
In a snug little casket of her own there
were sundry valuables-relics eff olden
times, bequeathed to her by her grand
mothers and great grandmothers which
she had always preserved with the great
est care She did not know their exact
value, but she was sure that it must be
considerable. for the heavy, old-fashioned
gold watch alone would outweigh several
of the modern me-pieces: and then the
little diamond brooch and the earrings.
They must be worth something.
1t was quite an effort to resolve to part
with them, for each article brought many
tender associations to her mind; but then
it would be SO delightful to surprise Henry
with the money, and there really seemed
no other way OF getting their affairs in
right train again.
before half an hour had elapsed. she stood
in the shop Of one of the principal jewell
ers of the city.
tents of the casket examined and COM
mented upon.
1T certainly was unpleasant to hear the
remarks which were made upon what she
had regarded as almost sacred relies. But
she steeled herself to listen unmoyed.
Little use to us, as they are, ma am:
altogether out of date The watch we
will take at weight As to the diamonds,
they are somewhat valuable, certainly
but rather small, and by no means OF the
rtn hat Il
! Tor the wholep"
81 should prefer to have You make an
Offer" was the reply, and Mrs. Walton
actually trembled as she awaited an an
swer A few hours previous, and money
could not have purchased the little casket
And now she only feared that Il sum ade-
quate to their wants would not be offered
There was careful weighing of some
of the articles, and whisp ered consulta-
lion concerning others, and then the prin-
cipal advances to the counter and said in
an Indifferent tone;
1--WE are not very anxious TO purchase
articles of this description. If it will be
any accommodation. we are willing to give
two hundred for the lot
The very sum. How wonderful it
seemed Mrs. Walton cared not. at that
moment, if they were worth five hundred.
She had got all she desired and hastily
concluding the bargain, she left the shop
with light heart.
An observed spectator watched her mo-
tons, and scarcely had she turned the cor
ner OF the street which led to her own
home, ere Uncle John had become the
3 possessor of the little casket.
at was lucky that stepped in for my
spectacles this morning. he said to him
self, as he walked towards his own lodg-
ings. ''POor Annie! She must be hard
pushed, to part with her treasures. /
feared that it would come to this. She
looked happy enough when she left the
shop, however, so perhaps the difficulty
10 a trifling one after all. | wonder she
did not apply to me-"
Mrs. Walton was indeed happy when
she slipped that little bundle of bank notes
into her husbands hand, and enjoyed his
look OF pleasure and surprise; and she
was still happier when with her head lean
ing upon his bosom, she told of her little
sacrifice, and received his sympathy and
his praise.
and now all will 90 well again Hen.
ry. .will keep my account-Dook once
more. and we will make believe, as chill
dren say, that your salary is what it was
formerly, and then we shall be safe. What
would Uncle John say. if he knew of our
experience?'
THAT reminds me that he gave me a
parcel to deliver to you," replied Mr.. Wal
ton. ''He called at The Office lust as |
was leaving and asked me to take charge
OF it.. He did not mention what it con
tanned"
"Somethng for the children. proba-
bly,, and as Mrs. Walton spoke, she care
lessly opened the package
1t was her turn TO be surprised now
The identical casket which she had sold
that morning with every article in its
proper place, and on the topa small blank
book and slip Of paper with these words
IN Uncle John 5 handwriting:
PLEASE accept the enclosed, dear An
ME, and in future keep your weekly ac-
! count, and never forget that there are but
four tiities in two hundred; and that in
crease of income does not always make
people any richer.--Our wants must not
increase with our means. MANY little
makes a micklc