The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-03-29
established ourselves In tho principal
hotel, and then sct about furnishing tho


hotel, and then sct about furnishing tho
house.
my dear child" said Mrs. van.
borough, the bankers wife, dropping in
for an early call, don't dream oi such
thing ~ ingram carpet. Get brussels
by NIL means; good English brussels.
You'll find IL much cheaper in tho end,
and besides its much more STYLISH"
We hcarkened to our friends advice,
md the cost ran up into hundreds.
Then furniture WAS got to match. Mrs.
Marlborough and several other friends
aiding ns in our selection, and all sorts
OF pretty costly bric-l- -brac. real lacO
curtains, and new piano My old in.
strumcnt was too plain and clumsy for
the new establishment.
In spending money, which seems to
drive the most sober and economizing
people desperate when they once get 1t
It. Jack had always been Of the most
careful Of mon, counting the cost Of
everything - he went and saving every
stray penny. Once in the vortex Of town
life his prudence was speedily changed
into sort oi recklessness. After tho
first few days. and by tho time our new
house was ready TO receive us, he actu-
ally seemed to delight in seeing his
money go.
"We've got snug quarters here, Nell.
by Gcorgc!" he said, looking through
the cxtravagantly- furnished rooms with
a,lmiring pride. NO ono in town can
outshine us, not oven Marlborough him.
self, I'll admit, but what does that sig.
Nifty? What good comes Of having
money unless one enjoyes itg"
"We must try aud save little now,
Jack, since we are fxed up so nicely"
said, feeling somewhat terrified at his
growing recklcssncss.
"Pshaw, cniid? Who ever heard Of !
bankers clerk saving anything? II we
make both ends meet, il will be more
than I look for"
MY DEAR" said Mrs. Marlborough.
when we werc pleasantly situated In
our handsome house and had hired :
couple Of servants. II suppose you will
want to give some kind of party now
It is customary, you know. Suppose
you let it he an informal reception, 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 10 order your
refreshments. and Cecilia will write
out you invitations for you. She is an
excellent Judge Of whom it is expeai-
ent to invite"
mentioned tho matter to Jack when
he came home, and he entered into the
spirit Of the affair with great excite
ment.
"To be sure, little wife; have party
by all means. When one is in Rome
one must do - the Romans DO. you
know. Don't spare expense, either, my
dear; we must make as good show rs
other people. And shall takeSupon
myself to order your costume. want
You to look as grand as little empress.
"Bat, Jack" l suggested timidlv, I'VE
are spending great deal Of money
"Oh, we'll, never mind. II will &C
somehow, one way or another, and We
might as we'll enjoy il. 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
for money. Let's make the most Of it
while we've got it."
My heart ached a little. and in the
midst Of all the flare and tlutter al
preparation Was conscious Of vague
feeling Of regret whenever ! recalled
the quiet moments Of my early wifehool
spent at Cherry Hill Jack had seem
ed to take as much pleasure in life,
friyolities rs / did. With a foolish in
consistency Of my sex, l sat down ant
cried over the contamination Of the yer,
hores which had cherished SO long.
But despite my fears, the reception
came on, and 1t turned out 10 be a great
success. The best people in town hon
ored us with their presence, and every
thing, thanks to Mrs. Vanhoroaghi
foresight, was carried on in the mos
lavish and elsgant manner.
"By George" said Jack. "this sort O
thing is jollier than the old farm. Sc,
now, little wife, that you are right"
would ten times rather he sho,.l.
have upbraided and blamed me for wha
was exceedingly gay. We arc invite,
l
stantly filled with guests, balls, soirees
kettledrums and the opera seemed 4
embrace every hour. Jack and sci
dom had quiet moment together. We
he seemed to enjoy it with his Who'll
heart. When spring came our last sur
plus dollar had been expended and ",
! dependent on Jacks monthly salary.
The warm weather soon came on An,
baby soon fell i'll. l hoped day by la
J that Jack would say something abou
going back to his fathers for the sum
mer. but he didn't even hint at such
thing. The days grew longer and warm
, or. The sun shone down with pitiles
! splendor and tho paved streets seeme
like heated brass, Our fashionahl
friends fluttered off like summer sMa
! lows and we were left almost alone,
Couldn't you manage 10 make a lii
tie trip to the seashore. ms dearg" Mis-
! Vaborough had suggested, and Jae
caught at the idea with eagerness.
Ave might, Nell: think We can. L
! try and borrow = few hundred som,
! where"
"Oh, Jack, no. mol" ! sohhed out
) my remorse and despair. Il won't I
to the seashore. You see how i'll hal
7 is. Oh. Jack. ask your father to L., ,
!, return home"
l Oh, you wouldn't be satisfied. Nell.
we went back. It's a dreadful s,uri
T down there these days with the ha
l making and reaping. and all that So
D OF thing, We would never he able t. Q
: dure il there now"
, / said no more, The long, hrisl
burning days wore ON. and our bills n
: up higher. and hahy's little hrea
. seemed to grow weaker aud weak.
l and poor Jack himself seemed to IL,
. dreadful i'll and worn, And one ait.
\ noon he was sent home in carrias.
quite unconscious. stricken down hy
+ sudden fever. put my pride asi,
. then. and wrote . letter to Jack
0 father.
= Jack and the baby are both ILL.,
sail sand wa Az. Ss.E anil trial ,,f III