The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-03-31
MORTGAGED.

Mrs. Graham smiled fond,y on her hus-
band as she handed him his carefully pre-
pared cup of tea.
ri am so glad you feel like that, Harry, I
will do my best to make it a happy home
for you
"You darling! You shall have kiss for
that sweet speech the moment tea is over p
cried the young husband, committing rava-
ges among the ''rolled" bread and butter,
the homemade preserves, the dainty shay
ings of dried beef and cold ham, and the
delicate cake, with which his Margaret had
furnished for her tea-table on this first
evening in their every own home" "Where
did you get these delicious ounce pre-.
serves, my dear7"
Il made them, Harry"
Possible ?''
eyes, made them in the last days at the
farm. Mother showed me how"
'Then you shall ask her to come and see
us in our little cottage before the preserves
are all eaten"
"She will be very glad to come" said
Margaret, with delighted look. "She
never liked our plan of boarding, Harry
"What else could we do my dear ?" asked
the young husband, in slightly altered
tone. II was too poor to buy house when
We were first married. As we could not
well roost upon the trees like the birds
when they begin life together, to board was
the only way possible. But never liked
it myself" he added, his face clearing
again. cit was nuisance to be confined
to two rooms as we we're; and how John
Grey's children did scream at night, on the
opposite side Of the hall. Besides, that
untidy chambermaid never half cleaned
our rooms. Now this is what I likep he
concluded, rising from the supper table
and glancing proudly round the neat
bright parlor, with its open fire and easy.
chair drawn up beside the CRATE; it's Grim.
son curtains and table-covers and carpets
its tea-table, sparkling with china and
silver, and its tall glass-doored bookcase
slowed with volumes which he was to read
aloud, while his wife sewed, on chilly, rainy
evenings such as this.
Mrs. Graham rang the bell. A tidy
young servant-maid came in and took away
the tea things. When the room was made
orderly for the evening, handsome dress
| ing gown and pair Of embroidered slip
pers appeared, conjurcd from some mysteri
Gus closet by the happy wife
"My first present to you in our home
Harry" she said, with moistened eyes.
And he drew her fondly toward him and
gave her the promised kiss, with many
another after it. Then, putting on the
comfortable evening attire, he selected q
book from the crowded shelves, and SAT
down in the easy-chair, while Margaret
drew her little sewing stand nearer the
fire, and prepared to enjoy, with heart and
soul, the first quiet evening beneath their
own roof But before the book was opened
O. shadow had fallen over the brightness Of
her joy.
"Your mother would like to look in at us
now, my darling" said Harry, glancins
round the pleasant room again. ri know
she will think this house bargain when
she sees it. Six rooms and a garden-a
good-sized garden, too-and for two thous
and dollars!"
"And the pretty furniture, Harry. AL
Maid for. too. That is the best Of all
and very good, substantial furniture it is
replied his wife.
eyes. I was determined that should be
paid for, on the nail. What sticks I have
about me must be my own
"Oh, Harry! How can you call our nice
new things sticks !"
"Chairs and tables, then, child! got q
good discount by the way, because paid
cash down. I wish could have done the
same by the house. might have had il
two hundred dollars cheaper. However
if we are careful of our expenses, chicka-
biddy, we shall soon clear off the mortgage
1t is only nine hundred dollars"
The fancy work dropped from Margaret.
hands.
''Ninc hundred dollars'' she said, turn
ing little pale. ga mortgage! On thi:
: house, Harry?"
"On whose house should it bep" saiG
he laughing. "Wby, you look as scared
as if had stolen the house, child"
; ri thought it was paid for"'
"How on earth did you suppose I couli
pay such sum down, and buy the furn
ture as well?" he answered, sharply. 81
/. can tell you it took every cent 1 had in tn,
bank, as it is"
"But the house-expenscs What shul
we do about them?" asked she looking
bewildered.
He laughed again,
"Is there no such thing us credit, Maj
garrett"
: She WAS silent.
, "Gct whatever you want at the shops
. child. OF course you will be rs econom
> cal as possible; but still we must live, 30
know. Once in three months, or once i
Rix months, I'll settle the bills. The
whatever we can have shall go towar
clearing off this mortgage that seems to b
such bugbear in your eyes"
"1 will save in every possible way, Ha,
y," she said, earnestly. "It is foolish,
o suppose, but mortgage is bugbear
me. Father had heavy one on his farm
Harry, and the firSt thing remember as
little child is seeing him sitting on th