Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-05-19
THE SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.

THE SOBER SECOND THOUGHT.
IT must have it, Charles" said the
handsome little wife of Mr.. Whitman.
$50 don't put on that sober face"
Did put on sober face ?" asked the
husband. with an effort to smile that was
anything but success.
YES. sober as a man on trial for his
life. Why, it's long as the moral law.
There, dear, clear it up and look as if you
had ut least one friend in the world.
What money-lovers you men are u
'How much will it cOst?" inqun | MIR.
Whitman. There was another effort to
look cheerful and acqulescent. tf
About forty dollars" was answered
with just little falterlng in that lady's
voice, for she we'll knew that the sum
would sound cXtravagant.
think am made of money!" Mr.. Whit
nuns cOuntenance underwent remark
BILE change of eXple sion.
Il declare" said his wife, little i'm
patiently, "you look as if you imagined
me an object of fear instead of affection.
don't think this very kind Of you. have
ONLY had three silk dresses since We were
married. Amy Blight has certainly had
rs many us six or seven during that
period. and every one of hers cost more
than mine. [ know you think me eX-
,ravagant, but wish you had Il wife like
some women | could name. [ rather
think YOU would find out the difference
before l)pg."
There, there. pei, don't talk to me af-
Ter this fashion. Ill bring you the money
at dinner, that is, if"
No lis. 10 butts, if you please. The
sentence is complete without them.
'rnank YOU, dear, III go this afternoon
and buy the silk. SO do not fail to bring
the money. l was in at Silkskins yester-
cav. and saw one of the sweetest patterns
that | ever laid my eyes on. Just suits
nv style and complexion. You won't
dIsappOint me?"
And Mrs. Whitman laid her soft hand
OH the arm of her husband. and smiled
with sweet persuasion in her face.
"Oh. no. YOU shall have the money"
said Mr.. Whitman. turning from his
wife. as she thought, a little abruptly.
and hurrying from her presence. lin his
precipit ,tion he had forgotten the usual
parting Kiss.
.srhat is the way it is always" said
Mrs. Whitman, her whole manner chang
ing as the sound of the closing street
saw money to Charles. and at once there
is a cloud i'm the sky"
She sat down, pouting and half an
CRY.
Forty dollars for a new dress" men
tally calculated the husband of vain,
thouohtless Mrs. Whitman, as he shut
the door after him. al promised to set
tie Thompson's coat bill to day-thirty-
three dollars, but don't know where the
money Is to come from. The coal is burnt
ND and more must be ordered. Oh, dear.
am discouraged Every year / fall be-
hind. This winter did hope to get a
little i'm advance, but if forty dollar dress
es are to De the order of the day. there's
an end to that devoutly to be wished for
circumstance. Debt! debt! how [ have
ever shrunk from it; but steadily. now,
it is closing its Briarean arms around me,
and nv constructing chest labOrs in per.
spiration. Oh, if could disentangle my
self now, while have the strength OF
early MANHOOD and the bonds that hold
me are weak. If Ada could see as see
if I could only make her understand
rightly my position. Alas! that is hope
less, l fear"
And Mr.. Whitman hurried his steps
because his heart beat quicker and his
thoughts were unduly excited.
Not long time after Mr.. Whitman LEFT
home, the city postmaster delivered 6
letter 20 his address. His wife examined
the writing on the envelope, which was
in a bold. masculine hand, and said tx
herself, as she did so:
81 wonder who this can be FROM"
Something more than curiosity moved
her. There Obtruded on her mind |
vague feeling disquiet, as if the missivt
bore unpleasant news for her husband
A few times of late such letters had come
to his address. and she had noticed tina
he had read them hurriedly, thrust then
without remark into his pocket, and be
come silent.
Mrs Whitman turned the letter owe
and over again in a thoughtful way, an.
as she did so picture OF her HUSBAND
sober-faced and silent as he had Decom
for the most of the time of late, presente'
itself with unusual vlvidness. Sympath,
stole into her heart.
''Poor Charles ~ she said, as the feeling
increased. Pm afraid something is 60
ing wrong with him.
Placing the letter on the mantlepiece
where he could see it when he came In
Mrs. whitman entered upon her house
hold duties, under strange impression
for weight lay upon her heart-a sens
of impending evil-a vague feeling tina
all was not going well with her husband
HE has been little mysterious G
Jrte," she said to herself. The idea Ell
e,ted her very unpleasantly.
HE grows more silent and reserved,
she added, as though, under feveris
excitement, became active in new dires
ton More indrawn as it were, and les
interested in what goes on around hin
His GOODNESS chills me at times, and hi
irritation hurts me-"
She drew q long, deep sigh. Then wit
an almost startling vividness, came befOI