Year: 1865

most complex of all things = q human heart.
She saw that her husband was vexed, If not in
dignant Conscious that she had acted in direct
opposition to his interest as well as her own, she
was yet unwilling to own that she had been in
the wrong, and the more she thought of it.
the more she was disposed to find fault with
him.


''It is little thing to make such time about:n
she said peevishly. "One would suppose had
spent thousand dollars to-day, instead of six
ty-tive. Iguess you'll stand it though; and the
firm won't break down, either - s


el but told you Maria, that was not able to
let you have even fifty dollars for such a pur-
pose, and knowing as you did, that have made
every endeavor to meet my expenses, and keep
the firm from bankruptcy for the last Six months;
can md no excuse for your extravaganza
Indeed it is inexcusable.''


But you gave me the money, and knew what
it was for, James,"


"True, but thought you really had too much
good sense to spend such a sum on set of furs,
when so many things essential to our comfort
were positively needed, to say nothing of the
two girls wages, which must be paid within
week. 1t is not my place or business to say
ought concerning your department, I know,
Maria, but Icannot help seeing how it is with us
all, and seeing, forewarning you of the conse-
quences of living beyond our means. A bill was
sent to my Office this morning from Miss
Harris, with request for immediate payment;
and before the boy who brought it was out of
sight, another came with bill and a note from
Mrs. Hall, who said in apology, that she had ap-
piled twice to my wife, but it was notconyenient
for her to settle it. and she hoped would excuse
her for troubling me about it. &c., &C." .....


Mrs. Wyman listened to all this with feelings
of vexation and dismay They might have
waited little longer and been none the worse
of for it, she thought for she fully intended to
pay them when convenient to do so; and as she
did not choose to tell her husband he of course,
knew nothing about them till they were presen-
ted for settlement.


AS didn't have money enough with me, l
promised to call and settle the bills this week,
and hoped that you could pay one of these at
least, but | might as well have asked Charley to
do so." sb


MIR. Wyman spoke in such tone of bitter
ness, that his wife looked up in surprise, for of
all men he had ever been gentle and forbearing;
and it was something new to hear him talk thus.
But there are limits to human endurance, and
this was not the first time that Mr.. Wyman's
good nature had been as severely taxed as his
purse. More than this, it panied him exceed
ingly to find that his wife, in her desire to excel
her neighbors, had not only sacrificed many home
comforts, but involved him in debt to an extent
that to say the least, was embarrassing, espe-
caly at this time, while he and his partner
were making every effort to save themselves
from impending ruin.


81 suppose they charged enough to pay for
waiting twice as long. Have you got the bills
with you 2"


eyes; put them in my pocket book. Now
tell me what you have spent to-day, and we'll
see what it all amounts to. First, here is the
dressmaker's bill.''


"And he is thinking of time when cut and
made my own dresses" thought Mrs. w., with
heightened color. 81 know heis