The Two Wives; Or, Lost and Won

sources not already used to the utmost limit. At ten o'clock he went out to see what could be done in the way of effecting further temporary loans among business friends. His su

kinson, with not a very cheerful o

welve," retu

were past three. I

r's brow low

will you

replied Wilkin

id the man, with some appearance of anger. "

ndred dollars of the sum out of which I was swindled, and with that I should think both you and your principal mi

in this matter. It is I who hold your obligations; they have been endorsed to me, a

ed voice and with much deliberation, "if you will take my note of hand for th

eturned the man,

ances; and I am more than half inclined to the belief that I was a fool not to have left

get into court, you can be

nd pickpockets get to the end of their rope; and, perhaps, it may turn out so in this ins

ere he reached the door, stood musing

note at sixty

or not a day less will I give it; and I don't care three coppers whether you ta

a feint to retire,

ee month

ernly. "I have said what I will do, and I will do nothing e

ilkinson, and, after some hesitation and grumbling, finally consented to

the store. "I stagger already under the extra weight of fifteen hundred dollars. Five hu

his desk, his friend Ellis

an't you strain a point and help me a little? I've been running about all the morni

d Wilkinson, "I have

can you

y after t

ve it then, w

nded to Ellis, who, as he receiv

he finds nothing but up-hill work in this troublesome world. I declare! I'm

od," replied Wilkinson, repressing his own gloo

fair profit on the light capital invested, it has, instead of getting more prosperous, become, little and by little, embarrassed, until now-

You are only in a g

nd. But it is not so. All the while I am consciou

cause for this,

e is no effect w

know wha

es

disease is said to

proved so

the dif

ses are t

tore ex

family e

ought to r

t so easily done. I cannot make my wife c

y and clearly, I am certain you would not find her unr

't I tried, over

in prudent reforms, then it is your duty to mak

shamed

hundred

and, for the last three years, have reached the sum of t

n shook

ch! too

at sum. Why, five hundred dollars a year less in our expenses since we were

now on the sure

oubt

e be no reserve-no holding back-no concealment. Do it calmly, mildly, yet earnestly, and my word for it, she will join you, heart and hand, in

know that I am quick to get out of patience with her, if she oppose my wishes to

dollars a year. Two hundred dollars could easily be saved, he thought, by taking a smaller house, where, if they were only willing to think so, they might be just as comfortable as they now were. Beyond this reduct

t the desire for stimulating drink returning at certain hours, but passed through the whole of the afternoon without either thinking of or tasting his

the work of salutary reform. But how to begin? What first to say? How to disarm her opposition in the outset? These were the questions over wh

ea hour passed with little of favourable promise. The toast was badly made, and the chocolate not half boiled. Mrs. Ellis was annoyed, and scolded the cook, in the presence of her husband, sound

. She will throw back my words upon me, in th

So he took up a newspaper, and occupied himself therewith, until his wife had undressed and put their two oldest children to bed. As she returned from the adjoining room, where they slept, Ellis looked earnestly into her face, to see what hope there was for him in its expression. Her lips

newspaper before his face. After some ten minutes of silence, the latter made a remark, as a

about my affairs." He tried, in saying this, to seem not to be very serious; but his feelings, which had for some time been on th

rgued herself into the belief that her husband was perfectly able, not only to afford her new carpets, but also new parlour furniture; and that his unwillingness to do so arose from a penurious spirit. Such being her state of mind, she was not prepared to see in the words, voice, and look of her husband the real truth that it was so important for her to know. From the b

the verge of bankruptcy. A man who indulges his family to the e

even Cara. Rising quickly to his feet, and flinging upon his wife a look of reproach, Ellis

n he came home, and then