What have other people to do with matters which concerns us alone ?" "You talk very strangely of late, Mr.Ludlow," said his wife.
"Perhaps I have reason for so doing," he responded, a shadow flitting across his face.
An embarrassing silence ensued, which was broken, at last, by Mr.
Ludlow.
"Perhaps," he began, "there may occur no better time than the present, to apprise you all of a matter that must, sooner or later, become known to you.

We will have to make an effort to reduce our expenses--and it seems to me that this matter of going to the Springs, which will cost some three or four hundred dollars, might as well be dispensed with.

Business is in a worse condition than I have ever known it; and I am sustaining, almost daily, losses that are becoming alarming.

Within the last six weeks I have lost, beyond hope, at least twenty thousand dollars.

How much more will go I am unable to say.