Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-12-01
SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.

81 must have it, Charles" said the
handsome little wife of Mr.. Whitman.
" So don'tpu on that sober face"
Did put on sober face?" asked
the husband, with an attempt to smile
that was anything but a success.
Eyes, sober as man on trial for his
Life. Why, it's as long as the moral law
There, dear, clear it up, and look as
if you had at least one friend in the
world. What money lovers you men
are.p
How much will it cost ?" inquired
Mr.. Whitman. There was another effort
to look cheerful and acquiescent.
=" About forty dollars" was answered,
with just little faltering in the lady's
voice, for she knew the sum would
sound extravagant.
Forty dollars Why, Ada, do you
think | am made of money!" Mr..
Whitman's countenance underwent re-
markable change of expression.
" declare, Charles" said his wife, a
little impatiently, "you look at me as if
were an object of fear instead of affec-
ton. l don't think this is kind of you.
I've only had three silk dresses since we
were married, while Amy Blight has had
six OF seven during the same period
and every one of hers cost more than
mine. know you think me extrava-
giant, but l wish you had wife like
some women | could name. I rather
think you'd find out the difference be-
fore long"
"There, there, pet, don't talk to me
after this fashion I'll bring YOU the
money at dinner time that is, if -
"No ifs nor butts, if you please.
The sentence is complete without them.
Thank you, dear I'll go this after
noon and buy the silk. So don't fail to
bring the money. [ was in at Silkskins
yesterday, and saw one OF the sweetest
patterns ever laid my eyes on. Just
suits my style and complexion. I shall
be inconsolable if it's gone. You won't
disappoint me?''
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft,
white hand on the arm of her husband,
and smiled with.sweet persuasion in his
face.
ooh, no. You shall have the money"
said Mr.. Whitman, turning from his
wife, as she thought, little abrubtly,
and hurrying from her presence. Tn his
precipitation, he had forgotten the psnal
parting kiss.
"That's the way it is alwaysl'' said
Mrs. Whitman, her whole manner chang
ing, as the sound of the closing street
doors came jarring upon her ears. ''Just
say money to Charles, and at once there
is a cloud in the sky"
She sat down pouting and half angry.
Forty dollars for q new dress p
mentally calculated the husband of vain,
pretty, thoughtless Mrs. Whitman, as he
shut the door after him. 81 promised
to settle Thompsons coal bill to-day
thirty three dollars but don't know
where the money is to come from. The
coal is burnt up, and more must be or
dered. Oh, dear Tn discouraged.
Every year 1 fall behindhand. This
winter 1 did hope to get little in ad.
vance, but if forty-dollar silk dresses
are in order, there's an end to that de.
voutly to be wished-for circumstance.
Debt, debt How I have always shrunb
from it: but steadily, now, it is closing
its I}ri@rian arms around me, and my
restricted chest labors in respiration.
Oh, if could but disentangle myself
now, while / have the strength OF early
manhood, and the bonds that hold me
are weak. If Ada could see as I see--ii
could only make her understand my
position rightly. Alas that is hopeless,
fear" -
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps,
because his heart beat quicker and his
thought was unduly excited. fH
Not long time after Mr.. Whitman
left his house, the postman delivered &
letter to his address. His wife examined
the writing on the envelope, which was
in a bold, masculine hand, and said tc
herself, as she did so: "I wonder who
this can be from ?"
Something more than curiosity
moved her. There intruded on hel
mind vague feeling of disquiet, as il
the missive bore unpleasant news foi
her husband. The stamp showed it tc
qe city letter. A few times, OF late
such letters bad come to his address