Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-04-26
THE YOUNG MERCHANTS
ORDEAL.

Arthur, said Mrs. Leeman, ad-
dressing her young husband, "it seems to
me that Mr.. Sharping is getting ahead o
YOU in business.
"Ah!" uttered the young man, look
ing up from his paper.
Yes, continued his wife. "He has
just moved into his large house, and ex
pect we shall be invited to the opening
party"
And you are not conten,ed here,
SARAH" asked Mr. Leeman, with a
slight ,inge of disappointment in his tone.
"Oh, yes, am contented; bu, then |
should like to have you look as we'll
that is, appear as well as William Sharp
ing does. You are as well acquainted in
the town, and you are as generally re-
spected. Your store is as we'll situated
and YOU seem to possess all the advan.
,ages YOU could wish. wish YOU could
keep up with Sharping.'
Arthur Leeman was a young mer-
chant, located in large and fiourishing
village, where he had been in business
for nearly two years. He had been
brought up by vir;uous parents, and his
ideas of Justice and honesty were founded
upon deep moral principles.
Shortly before he entered business fol
himself, be married a beautiful girl,
whom he had long and ardently loved,
and who had, in return, reciprocated tha,
love. He had received from her two
thousand dollars, which sum had gone q
great way towards purchasing his stock
in trade.
He had rented a small cottage-a neat,
retired abode-and here he settled down,
with every prospect Of continued happi
ness; and this happiness he had a right
to expect, for his young wife was mild
nd gentle, loving and true, and ever re-
gardiul Of his welfare.
His expenses he carefully kept behind
his income, and, as might be expected
he made but little domestic show. Hi:
comforts were all solid, based upon the
single idea of content.
William Sharping also kept 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 a:
has already been intimated, he was Or
the point of making a still grealer show
of accumulating wealth.
Sharping's wife was an intimate FRIEND
of Sarah Leemap, and hence the lattel
felt more sensibly the contrast between
her own and her neighbors outward cir
cumstances.
In few evenings William sharpine
opened his house for the reception of Wis
itors, and of course Arthur and Sarat
were invited.
| Arthur Leeman was wonder-struck b,
the appearance of his friends domestic
equipment. The furniture was rich ant
costly, and the carpets were all of th'
finest material. Large mirrors hung up
on the walls, golden lamps adorned tn
marble mantle. and sumptuous ottoman
and sofas offered their temptations to tn
weary.
What splendid house they've got
haven't they" remarked one Of tn
guests to Sarah Leeman.
"Yes," replied Sarah.
And as she spoke she thought her in
terlocutor was drawing a comparison be
tween her own and Mrs. Sharping's do
nestle establishment.
Sarah heard, on all hands, praises Q
the things about her, and she wondere'
why her own husband could not do al
this as well as Mr.. Sharping. She lie
the spirit of envy into her bosom befor
she was aware of it, and from that mo
ment she became unhappy. She took n
more pleasure in viewing the costly arti
cles about her, and at an early hour sh
drew her husband away from the compa
ny, and begged him to go home. Whe
,he reached her own snug, neat little sis