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

Ihere Is nothing that you need know.
But a wife need know all that can
affect her husband thus. What is 1t,
Anson ~
II is nothing but my own business,
and wife need not know all that"
The answer was harsh, aud tears gushed
to Linnie's eyes.
"My dear husband" she said, in tender
accents, ito whom, o, to whom should
you tell your sorrows If not her who loves
you better than life itself?'
Forgive me, forgive me, Liunie--l
meant not to wound your feelings. am
very miserable, aud hardly know what l
said"
"Then tell me all. Come, sit down in
my easy chair, for your brow is hot and
feyerish. There-now tell me-"
After the young man bad taken the
proffered seat, he gazed for moment into
the face of his wife, and look Of deep
anguish rested upon his features.
Linnie," he said, 81 may as well tell
you all, but you must not chide me, nor
must you despond, for ell is not dark as
might be. | am deeply in debt, and to.
morrow my shop and all that it contains
will be advertised by the sheriff for sale. "
In debt murmured his wife.
Yes. During the last two years !
have been purchasing stock on credit, and
paying for it as has been convenient. AT
first it seemed an easy way of doing bust
ness, but it has proved fatal; for when !
received the pay for my goods, forgot,
or at least did not sufficiently heed, that
all that money was not mine. l forgot
that more than half Of all the money re-
ceived belonged to the men of whom ]
had purchased my stock. Two notes fell
due. day before yesterday. The man tC
whom gave them sold them in the way
Of business to western firm, and now they
must be paid. Tomorrow an officer will
be placed in my shop, and nearly every
thing will have to be sold. 1t is not the
loss Of my stock and tools that | care SO
much about, for have health and strength
and can earn more, but it is the disgrace
of the thing To think that | should fall
like this-me-a healthy, stout, good me.
chanic."
How much do you owe ?" asked Lin.
ME, in trembling voice.
Both notes amount to four hundred
dollars"
And haven't you any part of it?"
"Only about fifty dollars that | can col.
lect readily
"And if these notes were paid, you
would be safe"
"Yes."
Then, thank God, you will not suffer-
exclaimed Linnie. And overcome by her
feelings, she sank upon her husbands neck
and burst into tears.
Linnie, Liunie," cried the young man,
"what do you mean?"
wait moment, my husband
The wife brushed the tears from her
checks as she spoke, and left the room,
and in few moments she returned, bear.
ing in her hand small book. There was
bright smile on her face, and her hus-
band looked upon her in astonishment.
Here, my husband" she said, stepping
to his side and placing the book in his
hand, at the same time winding her arm
about his neck, ''if you carry that to the
bank they win give you three hundred
and seventy-fve dollars for it,"
"Three hundred aud seventy-five dol
lars y repeated the astounded man, hardly
crediting the evidence of his own senses.
"Yes, Anson," returned the wife, sink
ing into her husbands lap. That is the
money that I have been laying up during
the last three years"
Hou laid it up, Linnie2 But where
could you have got it?"
You gave it to me yourself to spend
for trites. You know have claimed my
share Of such money. Do not blame me,
Anson; but l feared that you did not at
tach sufficient importance to the aggregate
Of the small sums you were almost daily
spending. Once or twice l would have
demonstrated, but you could not be made
easily to see it. | was but a young girl,
and feared to set up a will against my
husband, so l resorted to this mean of
proving my position. 0, my dear hus-
band, you cannot know what sweet pleas
ure l experience now in finding that my
experiment has been the means of much
good"
Ii your pleasure is equal to mine, then
you must be happy indeed exclaimed
Anson, as he drew his fond wife to his
bosom. "God bless you, Linnie, and make
me able To repay you for this. Now / see
to whom you have o,ced the little debts
you have sometimes contracted, and which
l have helped you pay"
Yes" returned Linnie with smile.
at was to you owed them. And yet, ("
she added, with meaning look, and in a
lower tone of voice, 81 have not drawn
quite SO much from the amusement fund
as
Hush, Linnie. l know have spent
more than | was aware Of, but my eyes
are open now, and | see Il all
And do you blame me for what l have
done.'
Blame you?" exclaimed Anson, i'm.
printing warm kiss upon his wife brow.
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