Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-11-18

every stray penny. ' N''i'''
Once in the vortex Of city life his
prudence was speedily changed into q
sort of recklessness. After the first
few days, and by the time our new
home was ready to receive us, he ac-
tually seemed to take delight in seeing
his money go. y, -.
"We've got snug quarters here, Nell,
by George!' he said, looking through
the extravagantly furnished rooms
with admiring pride. "No one in town
can outshine us, not even Marlborough
himself. 1t has lightened our purse
good deal, I'll admit, but what does
thatsignify? What good comes of hay
ing money unless one enjoys t?''
{" We must try and save up little
now, Jack, since we are fixed so nicely"
/ said, feeling somewhat terrified at
his growing recklessness.
"Pshaw. child! Whoever heard of
a'banker's clerk saving anything. If
we make both ends meet it will be
more than 1 look for" ~rs.ee
my DEAR" said Mrs. Marlborough,
when we were pleasantly settled in our
handsome house and had hired couple
of servants +" suppose you will want
to give some sort of party now.
Suppose you let it be an informal re-
ception, with cards and coffee for the
old people, and ices and fruits and
dancing for the young ones? That
would do nicely. You can throw your
parlors into one, and the new carpets
will not get much injured. I'll help
you to order your refreshments, and
Cecilia will write out your inv itations
for you. She's an excellent Judge as
to whom it is expedient. to invite"
1 mentioned the matter to Jack
when he came home, and he entered
into the spirit of the affair with great
excitement.
"To be sure, my little wife, have a
party by all means. When ones in
Rome, one must do as Romans do, you
know. Don't spare expense either,
my dear we must make as good
show as other people. And l shall
take it upon myself to order your
costume. l want you to look as grand
as little empress"
"But Jack" l suggested, timidly.
"we are spending great deal OF
money"
"Oh, well, never mind. 1t will all
go, anyhow, one way or the other, and
we might as well enjoy it. You've
always wanted to get into good society,
Nell, and you're fairly in now, and it
won't do to let people see that you are
cramped Tor money. Let's make the
most of it while we've got it"
My heart ached little; and in the
midst of all the flare and tlutter of
preparation, was conscious Of avague
feeling of regret whenever recalled
the quiet months of my early wifehood
spent at Cherry HILL Jack had seemed
such different person in those days
so strong and steady and self-re-
liant and now he seemed to take as
much pleasure in life's frivolities as !
did. With the foolish inconsistency
of my sex, sat down and cried over
the consummation of the very hopes
which | had cherished so long.
But, despite my tears, our reception
went ON and it turned out to be great
success. The best people in town
honored us with their presence, and
everything, thanks to Mrs. Vanbor-
ough's foresight, was carried out in
the most lavish and elegant manner
"By George" said Jack, this sort of
thing is jollier than the old farm. l
see now, little wife, that you were
right, always right"
j would ten times rather ne should
have upbraided me for what had
DONE
The winter that followed was ex-
ceedingly gay. We were invited every
where, and our house was constantly
filled with guests. Balls, soirees, ket-
tledrums and the opera, seemed to en-
gross every hour. Jack and | seldom
had quiet moment together, yet he
seemed to enjoy it with his whole
heart.
When spring came our last surplus
dollar had been expended, and we were
solely dependent on Jacks monthly
salary.
The warm weather came on, and
baby soon fell i'll. l hoped day by
day that Jack would say something
about going back to his fathers for
the summer, but he did not even hint
at such thing.
The days grew longer and warmer.
I The sun shone down with pitiless
splendor, and the paved streets seemed
like heated brass.
Our fashionable friends futtered off