The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-10-20
.THE.YOUN6 MERCHANTS ORDEAL.


THE YOU'VE MERCHANTS ORDEAL
ARTHUR" said Mrs. Leeman,, ad
dressing her young husband, "it seems
to me that Mr.. sharplng is gettin,
ahead of you in business. "ii,o 'n4ifIlo
yl."Ah ~ muttered the, young man
looking up from his paper.
"Yes," continued his wife. ale ha.
Just moved into his big house, and
expect we shall be invited to the open
-ing,party." oaf
- And you are not contented here
Sarah? 7" asked Mr.. Leeman, with a
Slight tinge Of disappointment in his
sslSOh, 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 &C
,Quainted in the town and you are as
generally respected Your store is as
wen situated, and you seem topossess
all the advantages you could wish. j
wish you could keep up Y'ith Sharp.
ing" ~ 4 .aGi-stG - y Va
Arthur Leeman was a young mer-
chant located in "a large and hourishing
Village, 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 moralsprinciples. ...,s ..,s.
y ~1hortly before he entered business
for himself he married q beautiful girl,
whom he had long and ardently loved,
and who had ia turn reciprocated that
love. He had received from her
$1,000, which. sum had gone great
way toward purchasing his stock in
trade.
/. He rented q ANAL cottage "a neat re-
stired abode AID here he settled down,
with every prospect Of contipued hap
spifess; and this happiness he had "a
right TO expect, for his wife was mild
and gentle, loving and true, and ever
regardful Of his welfare.
His expenses he carefully kept be-.
hind his income, and, as might be ex-
pected, had made but little domestic
show. His comforts were all solid,
bsea6 upoa the singleidea of fcontent."
William Sharping also kept store in
the village. He had commenced about
the same tirneahat Arthur did, but he
seemed to have more money, for he
spent more money in his living, and as
already iintirnated, he was on the point
:0fmaking still greater show of accum-
arlAlin4 wealth. s2s ....sls 40 t.... IS LIZ
~ 6harpings wife was an intimate friend
| Ofa Sarah Leeman, and hence the latter
I'LL fit more sensibly the contract between
her own and her neighbours outward
circumstances. e 4 =s#s.s a 7
!. !. \, aiew evenings, William Sharping
so4ened his: house for the reception Of
.Asiste0ls, ana, Of course, Arthur and
Sarah vera invited I & 'S'a
srsA SthNx ls0oman WAS wonder struck
! bYstANaDpesranee,ef his friepd,s do
ID IN 49Mpmens. The furniture us
rich and costly, and the carpets we're
all Of the very finest material. Large
mirrors hung upon the walls, golden
lampA ad0Fned the marble mantle, and
sumptuous ottomans and sofas offered
their temptations to the weary.
what Z splendid house they've got,
haven't theyY remarked one Of. the
erFtp 6drah LeeMan.s ysy "A 3
Yes, replied Sarah.
And ~ she spoke she thought hel
interl0cuter 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
N6ndeyed Why her own shusbahdco6ld
npt 10 Ill this as well al Mn Sharping
She let the spirit Of envy into her
bosom bsfore she was aware of it, and
from that moment she became unhap
py. She took no more pleasure II
viewing the costly articles about her
and at an early hour she drew hel
husband away from the company and
begged him to 60 home. When sh.
reached her own snug, neat little room
she forgot all the happiness she ENJOYED
there. She only thought of the con
,trast between that and Sharpings sup
.'efb parlors.
esl,m sure don't see Why We ma,
not make as good an appearance a,
6harping," shs murmured, after sh,
...and her husband became seated.
- Il en- hardly afford it now, Sarah.
returned Arthur, 7 " 1s,' 'lsl3
sHnt Why not, As well q William
! ShArping q,
iaas sRscaslss Sharping has more money
Has makes moro than / do,
= can't see how he can do that. n,
lau11 have one secret In hade that 70,
= not @, wish that We couii,