The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-17

'''"N "'"S'gNJh'ehN "SAV hSeAi ~ oh ephOm-
eral-that he was laying up little or
nothing for time to come.
A year passed away, and the annual
fishing excursion came in course along.
Well, Linnie," said the young man,
tomorrow the boys go down the harbor,
and am going with them. OF course
you have no objection"
No., returned the wife, in her usual
pleasant tone. "If you can afford it."
90, there's no trouble about that
Don't you remember the conversation
we had year ago on this subject?" asked
Linnie.
Yes-l remember then you talked
about saving money, but we amt any
poorer now than we should have been If l
had staid at home
But tell me, Arson, have you laid up
as much during the past year as you had
expected to?"
Why, as for that matter haven't laid
up much Of anything. The fact is, Lin
ME, you have drawn rather harder on me
than expected"
But haven't spent any more money
for trivial affairs and amusements than
you have, Anson, and | don't think |
have so much"
didn't mean to blame you, my dear.
| only mentioned the circumstance TO ex-
plain why had not laid up anything.
But never mind, there's time enough yet,
and besides we've enjoyed ourselves. |
think after this fishing excursion is over,
however, shall begin to dock my expen-
ses little, for must lay up little some
thing the next year"
We certainly have every chance to
save money" returned Linnie, 'for both
the house and shop are ours without rent,
and we are free from debt"
Anson Kimball started at that last re.
mark, and turned his face toward the
window, but his wife did not appear to
notice his emotion.
You know, Ansou," continued Mrs.
Kimball, shat you promised me | should
have Eve dollars when you went on anoth-
er excursion, and | shall certainly hold
you to that promise"
"Of course-that's fair" returned the
young man "but do you need it now p
eyes"
What are you going to do with it?"
You won't be offended?"
"No.n
"Then, to tell you the truth, l owe a
little sum-"
The young man looked earnestly at his
wife, and though he evidently wishel to
say something about her running in debt,
yet for reasons best known to himself, he
kept quiet and handed over the five dol
lars.
Anson Joined his old shopmates on their
excursion, and when he returned he
thought some about beginning TO cut of
some of his unnecessary expenses, but he
introduced no new system of operations.
Two or three times he did refrain from
indulging some petty appetite, but he soon
settled back into the old track, and the
small bits Of money slipped away as fast as
ever.
Three years had passed away since the
young couple were married, and few could
have wished for more social comfort than
they had enjoyed during the greater part
Of that time. For month or two, how
ever, the young man had been gradually
growing more sober and thoughtful, until
at length he had become really sad and
down-hearted. His wife had endeayored
to cheer him up, though she was unable
to learn the cause Of his detection.
One evening, just before dusk, Linnie
saw two men pass her window and enter
her husbands shop One of them she
knew to be the sheriff, and the circum-
stance troubled her not a little She
waited half an hour for her husband TO
come to supper, but he did not appear,
and her sufferings began to be acute. A
thousand conjectures fitted through her
mind, but they brought her no consolation,
and at length she determined to go to the
shop door and see if she could not over
hear something Of what was passing within,
feeling that such course would at least
be pardouable.
Linnie stole out from her front door
aud went towards the shop. She placed
her ear to the keyhole and listened, but
could only hear an indistinct hum of
voices, among which was that Of her hus-
band. The latter was evidently supplica-
ting, for his tones were earnest and i'm
passioned. Soon there was movement
of feet towards the door, and Linnie hast
ened back to the house, Ere long her
husband entered. He looked pale and
troubled, and with nervous movement Of
the muscles Of his face, as though he would
have concealed the grief that bore him
down, he took his seat at the table.
Poor Linnie watched her companion
with an anxiety almost agonizing, but she
spoke not a word until after Anson had
sat back from the table. The food re-
mained almost untouched upon his plato
when he moved away, and he would have
ieit the house had not his wife stopped
him,
Husband, she said, in soft, gentle
tone, at the same time lavinp her hand