Year: 1866

Will not be at the expense of maintain
ing her; SO, in the long run, it viii
be no loss to u.s."


gave in to her plan, and applied al
the loan office for more money, and tc
my great annoyance | experienced
this time considerable difficulty. How
ever, | got the money at last, and my
wife. bought Charlotte some new
things; and we got intimate with the
clerks family, who appeared to be
very genteel people, and took to us
Immensely. We visited each others
houses occasionally, and at last the
young man proposed for Charlotte.


Everything, with the exception Of
my increasing debts, went on flourish
lngiy. On one occasion we went to
dinner party at the house of the
clerk grandfather, an old solicitor
for the purpose of introducing Char.
lotte to him. My wife, as we were
preparing to leave home, appeared
very nervous, and after fidgeting about
for some time, said:


"The old gentleman is a sharp old
fellow, my dear. Take care you dc
not let anything fall that will show
that we were at one time only weavers
because he imagines we are higher
folks than you suppose"


II do not wish to speak of family
matters at all" | said; "at any rate
you need not be afraid of me. But
what makes you think they believe we
are better off than we are ?'


"Well, my DEAR" said my wife, col
oring slightly. II don't know how il
occurred, but they all believe you are
to be taken into the house as a part
ner."


was exceedingly angry when
heard this, and inquired of my wife
from what source such an infamous
falsehood proceeded.


She replied that she did not know
bnt imploring me so strenuously. and
at the same time with so guilty a look
on her countenance, that in case il
should be mentioned | would not con
tradict it, that | fully perceive it was
a piece of boasting Of her own. ]
scolded her severely on the matter
and told her if it were spoken of ]
should certainly contradict it. For
tunately, nothing on the subject was
mentioned during tile evening, and al
though it was a source of quarrel be
tween me and my wife for seme days
afterward, the affair at last died
away.


We had now to invite the old solic
itor and the family to dine with US
but before the day arrived, | found
my wife had got considerably into
debt in the neighborhood, and | was
again obliged to apply at the loan
office for assistance The secretary


r 4I-~. ~~.-..II -,-..r.ieler- my apt
plication, and let me know the result
and in a few days their decision came
1t was not only that they refused tc
advance me any more money, but that
when my outstanding bills were due
they would certainly press for the
full amount.


This news came like clap of thun
der on me. What to do | knew not
or where to find the money. To ado
to my sorrow, six months rent wa;
owing on the house, and the landlord
was pressing for it. However, | shur
my eyes to the circumstances for the
moment, resolving that as soon as the
dinner party was over | would turI
over new leaf, and insist on fal
greater economy being practiced il
the house.


The day arrived for the dinner par
ty, for which my wife had made grea
preparations. Before leaving tn {
house, | took the opportunity of re
questing her to be as moderate in al
this as she could, and was on the poin
of leaving her, when a knock wa
heard at the door, and broker
man entered with distress warran
for the six months rent. was per
fectly aghast when he told me his Ell
rand; but l was powerless. hat
not twenty shilings in the house, ant
it wanted a month before my mex
quarters salary would be due. 1ha'
no alternative bat to leave him il
possession; and with heavy heart


proceeded to business.


| 1 got on as best l could till tn


time arrived when | was accustome'
to take my dinner. Being to dine
home that day, went to neighbol


ing public house to get my lunch


As | was seated at the table, tn


gloomy aspect of my affairs came bt


fore me, and my eyes filled with tears


Ashamed of my low spirits, and SET


ing the necessity of rousing myself


called for glass of spirits and water
although ordinarily a most sober maj
As drank it my courage revived, an
l began to think in what way coul
retrieve myself. But one way pre-
sented itself to my mind, and tha
was most rigid retrenchment. Thi
firmly resolved on practicing, eve
against any opposition on the part {
, my wife; but still the disagreeabl
fact presented itself to my mind, ths
a brokers' man was in possession an
that the same day we were goingto civ
/ an extravagant dinner party. Som
thing must be done, but what? l
} brighten up my thoughts | called ft
: another glass of spirits and water
. As l drank it the idea came into m
}, mind that considerable sum of mo-
} ey was at that moment in my posse
3 sion, but it was my employers. WI
q could I not borrow some without the


knowing it? If I could pay out tt
t brokers' man I should redeem to
/ certain extent my credit. To-morro'
: IT argued, I will sell everything, an
replace the amount. The sale OF u
ID n II Al