Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-01
the cost of everything as he went, and saving

every Strdy pouIy.
Once in the vortex Of city life, his prudenc
was speedily changed into sort of reckless
ness. After the first few days, and by the tim
our new home was ready to receive US, he &C
tually seemed to take delight in seeing hi
money 60.
"We've got snug quarters here, Nell, b.
George ~ he said, looking through the extrav
agantly furnished rooms with admiring pride
''No one in town can outshine us, not evel
Marlborough himself 1t has lightened ou
purse great deal, I'll admit, but what doe
that signify? What good comes of having
money unless one enjoys it %
'We must try and save up little now
Jack, since we are fixed so nicely" said
feeling somewhat terrified at hisgrowing reck
lessness.
"Pshaw, child Who ever heard of bank
er's clerk saving anything ? If we make botl
ends meet, it will be more than look for"
my dear" said Mrs. Marlborough, when w
were pleasantly settled in our handsome house
and hired couple of servants, II suppose yol
want to give some sort of a party now ? 1t il
customary, you know. Suppose you let it b'
an informal reception, with cards and coffee
for the old people, and ices and fruits ant
dancing for the young ones. That would dc
nicely. You can throw your parlorS into one
and your carpets will not get much injured
III help you to order your refreshments ant
Cecilia will write out the invitations for you
She's an excellent judge as to whom it is expe
dient to invite.'
I mentioned the matter to Jack when hi
came home, and he entered into the spirit Of
the affair with great excitement.
''To be sure. little wife, have a party by al
means. When ones in Rome one must do as
Romans do, you know. Don't spare expenses
either, my dear, we must make as good show
as other people. And shall take it upon my
self to order your costume; l want you to look
as grand as little empress"
'But jack" I suggested timidly, 1--WE are
spending great deal of money!
"Oh, we'll, never mind. 1t will all 90 any
how, one day OF the other, and we might as
we'll enjoy it. You've always wanted to get
into good society, Nell, and you are fairly
in it now, and it won't do to let people see
that you are cramped for 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 futter of preparation, l was
conscious of vague feeling of regret when
ever recalled the quiet months of my early
wifehood, spent at Cherry Hill. Jack had
seemed such different person in those days--sc
strong and steady, and self-reliant, and now
he seemed to take as much pleasure in life's
frivolities as did. With the foolish incon'
sistency of my sex, sat down and cried ovel
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 a great success. The
best people in town honored us with theil
presence, and everything, thanksto Mrs. Van:
borough's foresight, 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 are right, always right"
would ten times rather he should have up
braided me and blamed me for what 1 had done.
The winter that followed was exceedingly
gay. We were invited everywhere, and our
house was constantly filled with guests. Balls,
soirees, kettle drums and the opera seemed to
engross every hour. Jack and l seldom had a
quiet moment together, yet he seemed to enjoy
it all with his own heart
When spring came our last surplus dollar
had been expended, and we were solely depend
ent on jack Is monthly salary.
The warm weather came on, and the baby
soon fell i'll. 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. The
sun shown down with a pitileSs splendor and
the paved streets seemed like heated brass.
Our fashionable friends futtered off like
summer swallows, and we were left alone.
"COuldn't you manage to take little trip
to the seashore, my dear 20 Mrs. Marlborough
had suggested, and Jack had caught at the
idea with eagernesS.
'We might, Nell. I think we can. I'll try
to borrow a few hundred somewhere"
ooh, Jack, no, no. sObbed out, in my re-
morse and despair. ''Iwon't tgoto the seashore.
You see how ill baby is Oh Jack, ask your
father to let us return home"
"Oh, you wouldn't be satisfied, Nell if we
went back. It is dreadfully stupid down there
these summer days, with the hay-making and
reaping and all that sort of thing. We should
never he able to endure it nOW."
said no more. The long, bright, burning
days wore on, and our bills ran up higher and
higher, and baby's little breath seemed to grow
weaker and weaker, and poor Jack himself be-
gan to look dreadfully i'll and worn. And one
afternoon he Was sent home in carriage,
unconscious, stricken down by sudden fever.
1 put my pride aside then, and wrote let
ter to Jacks father.
Jack and baby are both ill.," said, land
we are sick and tired of this life. Pray for
give us, and let us come home"
The very next day the old gentleman ar
rived, but the bailitfs and officers of the law
were before him. The rumor that he intend
ed to leave town got out, and our creditors
rushed in, anxious to secure the lions share
of our effects. The Brussels carpet, the hand
under the hammer at adisastrously low figure
''Never mind" said my father-in-law, not q
shadow of reproach Oh his kind old face; "let
them squabble over it if they will. We must
get our sick ones home"
So we got Jack into the carriage, and with
his poor hot head upon my knee, and in my
arms, turned my back upon the scene of my
short-lived triumph.
1--WE are going back to Cherry HILL" SAID
the old gentleman, us in the dusk Of the gold
en- day we drove through the dewy stiffness
of the mountain ravine.
s'The old home has been waiting for you al
these months. I was pretty sure you'd want
to come back"
I could not utter one word in answer. A
great full moon was rising above the mountain
peaks as we reached the house. Not the
smallest thing was changed. The great red
roses bloomed on the terrace, the bees droned
in their hives, and the cattle bells tinkled II
the barn yard.
The doors stood wide open: We carried
JACK Ill anu ldlu Hill uUWu III Go UlOdI, pACSLJ
room that had been our bridal chamber.
He opened his eyes and drew deep, quiv
ering breath, as the mountain breeze touched
his thrObbing head.
"Nell, where are you ?" he said. "Surely
this must be home 20
Il am here, jack" answered, through m!
tears land this is home, dear old Cherry
Hill.'
'Thank God !" he murmured, and fell bacl
on the pillows, and l saw great tears trick
ling slowly from beneath his closed eyelids
Beyond the open window, in the silver gor!
of the rising mOOu the old grandfather sal