The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-04-21

The SmallnesS of its siZe-and it was eX.
tremely small-was rather an advantage
than otherwise, as it would require sc
little furniture; and two maids would be
amply sufficient for our establishment
which, in such place, would be a mos
creditable mep0ge. .'.
We were delighted with the house, the
balcony to the drawing-room being, as We
enthusiastically agreed, almost worth the
rent itself; and we made no resistance
when the house agent, who must have
had some amusement over our innocence
and inexperience, fixed us for seven
years lease, representing to US that oul
advantages were almost unequaled, hay.
ing no premium to pay.
We consented-in consideration of all
he enumerated in favor of our bargain
to make any repairs that were necessary;
and in fact were in such delight with the
whole affair that the agreement, as might
have been expected, was very easily ar.
rived at.
We knew nothing about furnishing;
never dreamt of the dangers of green.
wood or the inevitable result of cheap
LII SotlliShOD OuIStlNGS very
acute to get hold of two furnishing lists
to compare prices, beside which VIC sat
down with paper and pencil to calculate
how much we must spend; and |, remem-
bering Uncle JDcelyn's advice, ventured
to say we should resolve not to go be-
You'd it. We came to the conclusion
that actual necessities might be bought,
taking the prices from the books, for
$50; so Henry decided on borrowing
goo, with which he felt sure the house
could be really nicely done; and the sum
he was to pay interest for until the prin-
cipal was itself paid off.
Nothing could have surpassed our
prudence--before we set out When we
got into the shop we had selected as the
one to patronize we found that the things
we had thought of were very inferior to
our imaginings; a trihe more here and a
trife there could make no great differ
ence in the sum total and be every thing
to US in the niceness and prettiness Of
our house; besides which our estimate
of necessaries proved very inadequate
one when innumerable ct cetera were
declared absolutely indispensable by the
attendant shopkeeper We made appar-
emily endless purchases, which we could
hardly remember until they were de-
posted in Amberly Villas, where, with
my newly-engaged domestics, l awaited
them with immense delight.
But vast as the Importance appeared,
l had yet to learn of the legion of wants
undreamt of by US. Scarcely a day
passed without some new demand being
made, which apparently it was impossi-
BILE to do without. But at last | was
thoroughly satisfied with our posses
sions, and the services seemed to have
come to the end of their requirements;
so the only thing we had to think of was
the bill, which had not yet been sent to
US. | was frightened to think about it.;
but Henry was quite prepared for it's be-
ing considerably over the e200 Judge
of our dismay when we did receive it to
find more than twice that sum-e456
odd!
But, the first shock over, the offending
document was thrust aside-it would be
paid all in good time; and for the present
We both resolved to dismiss it from our
minds. Friends were rapidly gathering
around US; we must receive and pay
visits; so it was not very difficult to ban
ish disagreeables and to enter with the
greatest enjoyment into the new life
which lay before us. l had fancied our
house was very complete and perfect
until saw some Of the elegant drawing
rooms belonging to my new acquaint-
ances; after that, many deficiencies were
plainly visible; and, in order to supply
them, we went to different shops, and
made various purchases, which, as
usual, were put down to our account.
Then came our first entertainment with
its attendant expenses, which it was alb
solutely impossible to avoid; for in Hen
rvs position it was, we thought, most
necessary for US to maintain good APP
pearance, and, as his wife, it was incum-
bent upon me to dress as well and fash
ionably as l could.
SO things went on, and before we
were two years married need hardly
say we were hopelessly and horribly in
debt. To retrench seemed utterly i'm
possible. / hardly knew where the ex-
Vio' a5ouNO lay, pub tHC ldCG lClldlucu,
we were living far beyond our income;
our bills were never ending, and every
day we were sinking deeper and deeper
into the mire. To add to our difficulties
a nursery had been established, and,
though one might imagine that so small
an addition was not serious one, it cost
US no trihing sum. | could not have en-
dured to see my baby badly dressed.
How could | have seen it 90 out except
in the sweetest and freshest of garments?
So it was duly adorned in the whitest
and prettiest things, which insured
most satisfactory amount of patronage
for our laundress and most appalling
bills for me.
However, we managed to keep afoat
in some wonderful manner; but Henry
was beginning to have strangely care
worn look, for which | could not blame
myself. He was worried and harassed.
His business was all right; but there
were bills to meet, difficulties to be dis
posed of which he could not quite see
the end of.
To outward appearance, however, we
seemed a very prosperous pair. Our
house was now as elegant as our neigh
bors'. i had thousand costly little
tritles lying about in the drawing-room,