Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-07-29
SOBER SECOND THOUGHT

NUS AANAh = ~ wv -Nt-e@ ~N~-
Whitman's handsome little wife.
$50 don't put on that sober face.
..Did put on a sober fsce" asked
the husband with an Atempt to smile,
that was any thing but a success.
..Yez. sober as a man on trial for
his life. " she replied. There, dear.
clear it up. and look as if you had at
least one friend in the world. What
money-loyers you men aren
How much will it COST" inquired
Mr. Whitman There was another
effort to look cheerful and acquies-
cent
about six pounds" was answered,
with just little faltering in the
lady's voice. for she knew the sum
would sound extrayagant.
six pounds! Why. Mary. do you
think | am made of money!" And
Mr. Whitman's countenance under
went a remarkable change of express
sion
Il declare. George" said his wife,
a little impatiently. ''you look at me
as i'll were an object of fear instead
of affection. l don't think this is
kind of you I've only had three
silk dresses since We were married,
while Amy Blight has had six or
seven during the same period, and
every one of hers cost more than
mine. ! know you think me extraTa-
giant. but wish you had wife like
some omen l could name. 1 rather
think you'd find out the difference
bsfore long
There, there. pet, don't talk to
me after this fashion I'll bring you
the money this evening; that is, if"
mo ifs or butts, if you please. The
sentence is complete without them.
Thank you, dearl I'll 90 this after
noon and buy the silk. So don't fail
to bring the money. was in Oxford
street yesterday, and saw one Of the
sweetest patterns ever beheld. just
suits my style and complexion.
shall be inconsolable if it's gone.
You won't disappoint me?" And Mrs.
Whitman laid her soft, white hand
on the arm of her husband. and smiled
with sweet persuasion in her face
''Oh, no. You shall have the mon
ey,n said Mr.. Whitman, turning off
from his wife, as she thought. lit.
tie abruptly. and hurrying from her
presence. In his precipitation he
had also forgotten the usual parting
kiss.
That's the way it is alwaysl" said
Mrs. Whitman, her whole manner
changing, as the sound of the closing
street door came iarring upon her
ears Just say money to George,
and at once there is a cloud in the
sky She sat down, pouting and
half angry
"Six pounds for a new dressr'
mentally calculated the husband of
the vain, pretty and thoughtless Mrs.
Whitman, as he shut the door after
him. Il promised to settle the
coal merchants bill to-day. but don't
know where the money is to come
from. The coal is nearly out, and
more must be ordered. o, dear! I'm
discouraged Every year l fall be-
hindhand. This winter, did hope
to get little advance; but if silk
dresses are to be the order of the
day, there's an end to that deyoutly-
to-be-wished-for circumstance. Debt
debit How | have always shrunk
from it! but steadily, now, is over
towering me. Oh, if | could but dis
entangle myself now. while have the
strength of early manhood; but the
bonds that hold me are weak. II
Mary could see as l see-if | could
only make her understand rightly
my position! Alas! that is hopeless,
fear.
And Mr. Whitman quickened hi:
steps, because his heart beat quicker
and his mind was unduly excited.
Not long after Mr. Whitman had
left home. the postman delivered {
letter to his address. His wife ex
amined the writing on the envelope
which was in bold hand, and said t.
herself as she did so, Il wonder who
this can be from?"
Something more than curiosity
moved her There intruded on hel
mind. vague feeling of disquIet, a!
if the missive bore unpleasant new.
for her husband. The stamp showed
it to be city letter. Several time:
of late such letters had come to hi.
address, and she had noticed that he
read them hurriedly, thrust then
without remark into his pocket, and
became suddenly silent and gloomy
Mrs. Whitman turned the letter
over and over again in her hand, in {
thoughtful way, and as she did so, this
image of her husband, sober-facet
and silent as he had become for mos
of the time of late, presented itsel
with unusual vividness. Sympathy
stole into her heart
''Poor George she said, as til,
feeling increased; "I'm afraid some
thing is going wrong with him.
Placing the letter on the mantel
piece. where her husband could SCI
it when he came in, Mrs. Whitman
entered upon some household duties
but strange impression as of
weight, lay upon her heart-a sens,
OF impending eyil-a vague. troubled
disturbance of her usual inward self