The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-29
The Two Merchants.


- Yes" continued his wife, The has
just moved into his big house, and
expect we shall be invited to the open
ing"
"And are you not contented here,
Sarah ?' asked MIR. Leeman with a
slight tinge of disappointment In his
tone.
"Oh, yes, am contented but then
should like to have you look as we'll
that is, to appear as well-as William
Sharping does. You are as well ac-
duainted in our town, and as generally
respected. Your store is as well situated
and you seem to possess all the advanta-
yes you could wish. wish you could
keep up with that Sharping."
Arthur Leeman was a young mer-
chant located in a large flourishing viii
lage, where he had been in business
nearly two years. He had been brought
up by virtuous parents, and his ideas of
Justice and honesty were founded upon
deep moral principles.
Shortly before he entered business for
himself he married beautiful girl
whom he had long and apparently loved,
and who had in return reciprocated that
love. He had received from her two
thousand dollars, which sum had gone
great way toward purchasing his
stock in trade.
He had.rented small cottage, q neat,
retired abode-and here he settled down
with every prospect of continued happi-
ness; and this happiness he had right
to expect, for his wife was mild and
gentle, loving and true, and ever regard
ful of his welfare.
His expenses he carefully kept behind
his income, and, as might be expected,
had made but little domestic show. His
comforts were all solid, based upon the
single idea of "content."
William Sharping also kept a store
in the village. He had commenced
about the same time that Arthur did,
but he seemed to have made more money,
for he spent more money in his living,
and as has already been intimated, he
was on the point of making still great
er show of accumulating wealth.
Sharping's wife was an intimate friend
of Sarah Leeman, and hence the latter
felt moresssensibly the contrast between
her own and her neighbor's outward
circumstances.
In few evenings William Sharping
opened his house for the reception of
visitors, and of course Arthur and
Sarah were invited.
Arthur Leeman was wonder-struck by
the appearance of his friends domestic
equipment. The furniture was rich and
costly, and the carpets were all of the
very finest material. Large mirrors
hung upon the walls, golden lamps
adorned the marble mantle, and the
sumptuous ottomans and sofas offered
their temptations to the weary.
"What splendid house they've got,
haven't they?" remarked one of the
guests to Sarah Leeman.
''Yes,'' replied Sarah.
And as she spoke she thought her
interlocutor was drawing comparison
between her own and Mrs. Sharping's
domestic establishment.
Sarah heard on all hands praises of
the things on all sides of her, and she
wondered why her own husband could
not do all this as well as Mr.. Sharping.
She let the spirit of envy drop into her
bosom before she was aware of it, and
from that moment she became unhappy.
She took no more pleasure in viewing
the costly articles about her, and at an
early hour she drew her husband away
from the company, and begged him to
go home. When she reached her own
snug, neat little sitting room she forgot
all the happiness she had enjoyed there.
She only thought of the contrast be-
tween that and Mrs. Sharping's suberb
parlor.
"I'm sure don't see Why we may
not make as good an appearance as the
Sharpings," she murmured, after she
and her husband had become seated.
II can hardly afford it now, Sarah, y
returned Arthur.
''But why not as we'll as William
SharpingY"
''Because Sharping has more money
He makes more money than / do.
81 don't see how he can do that. He
must have some secret in trade that you
do not possess. o, 1 wish we coulC
keep up with them People will Sc,
that Sharping is more prosperous, anC
they will think him more of a business
man than you are and if he once take
hha land 1 m frada he will not only n,