Year: 1869

fading wife, but his heart failed him
he returned to his store thinking
of what his fashionable acquaint
anees might be, saying about the
marked change that had come over
him and his wife. T-8t-. .4


He had not yet been able to cast
out such perplexing reflections when
the Gsurer's collector with bow
and ratronizing smile entered the
store. ,aand presented the uneasy
merchant with a receipt for another
installment of interest. e-t


The merchant snatched the piece
of paper and tore it into small frag
,ments very deliberately, while the
astonished collector thrust his hands
very deep into his breeches pockets.


Get out. of my store!' cried the
merchant '.go anu tell your master
Ill meyer pay him another cent. He
can sell me out as soon as he
pleases. l have paid him now in
interest more than halt the original
sum. I'll pay him half the original
sum. Ill pay no more, l tell you.
Let him get 1t all. Leave my store,
sirn'
Out went the collector in ner-
vous trepidation and with him wei:t
a burden the merchant had borne
far too long.


He was entirely prepared to meet
the usurer, when an hour afterwards
he called to propose a compromise
he would be very sorry to levy on
any goods--he thought some ar
rangements might be made.


No, SIR" answered the merchant,
Get your money as best you can. l
made an assignment an hour ago
make your levy when you please,
and sell what is necessary to pay
you, and other creditors will take
the remainder. I've turned over a
new leaf. I am a happy man now,
compared to what 1 was on yester
day" .---...


The usurer went away thinking
the merchant demented = entirely
4 ,ut of his wits; but the merchant
hastened home with the light of 10y
in his eye-a light which flowed out
of d heart over whichindecision had
for long time exercised a sorrow
full influence.


There he met his wife; she look
ed sadder to him than she ever did
before. He had designed to meet
her with cheerful face and an af-
fectionate manner, but his loving
design was frustrated by her APP
pearance.


In very sad tone she invited
him into the parlor, there she threw
herself upou her knees and sobbed
20, it's frightful' - He would have
lifted her up but she begged him to
hear her, and then sobbed again.


Il was on the street this m orning,
and L accidentally heard two men
talk about you They said you was
a bankrupt, and it was because OF
your wife's extra :agance. Tell me,
is it true p


II am broken merchant, and
that's what makes me happier to


day than l was yesterday, but be as
sured INV dear, it was not because OF
your extravaganza. 1t was because


was weak. silly man; now dry


up your tears-look at me. l have


a more cheerful face than yon have


seen me wear for many day


"Oh, yes!" answered the wife.


..you have been a changed man


ever since last New Year; something


happened then; you didn't fail be


cause l had a new bonnet and dress
then that can't be. You dom,


know how / have grieved to see you
so changed. 1 feared something ]
might have done made you so, and


| have prayed to know what it was


have not been informed-I dare


not ask you, you looked SO forbid


ding


"Would that you could have said
this three months ago-it would


have saved me much trouble-we'vs
:, both been very foolish. No my


dear, l have not failed because you


had a New Year present; but before
F that time we had been trying to live
in as good style as richer and Older
people; we had too much fine com.
pany; carriages came to our house
they cost us great deal of money
and they didn't stop at my store


often enough; or if they did, the
fine ladies' didn't. buy enough to
make up what it cost us to live in
stvle corresponding to their idea


so my business affairs became EN-


barrassed. l was afraid to tell you


Il could not change my style o1
j. living without doing SO. and kept
on becoming more embarrassed, and
more miserable, till finally l was
driven to desperation, and now I'm
broken merchant. I've given ur
everything and we must take 6
cheaper house and let our rict
friends cut our acquaintance.
With burning kiss the wife as
sured her husband that his plan ms
her entirez-approbat and he ac
f knowledged how foolish he had
been in not giving her his conf
dence when his troubles began


wv ell turn over new Leaf saif
he. You'll never think that Tn
, lIicher than / am. Hereafter II
know what my income is, and Wei
live within it. Rich acquaintances
halls, and coneerts-costly suppers
! or none of them; just as we car
afford it I'm not the first mar
who's failed from the same causes.
have some friends yet and think
can rise a0ain. ANYHOW Ed rather