Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-10-12

desperate diseases require desperate
remedies" replied the brave little woman,
in resolute way. s'I'm not afraid of the
red flag"
"What do you mean by the red flag"
"Let us sell off our furniture at auction,
and put the money in your business. 1t
won't bring less than five hundred pounds !;
and it may bring more. My piano alone
is worth nearly hundred. We can
board for year or two, and when you
get all right again return to housekcep-
ing"
1--WE won't try that yet, Betsy" said
Mr. Little.
"But something must be be done. The
disease is threatening, and my first pre-
scription will arrest it's violence. l have
something more to propose. 1t comes in
to my mind this instant; after breaking
up we will go to mothers. You know
she never wanted US to leave there. 1t
wont cost us much over half what it does
now, taking rent into the account. We
will pay sister Anne something to take
the care of little Eddie and Lizzie through
the day, and Twill go into your ware
house as a chief clerk"
Betsy you're crazy"
Not bit oft, Aaron; but sensible
woman as you will find before you're a
year older, if you'll let me have my way.
don't like that Hobson, and never did =,
as you know don't believe he's fair
man. Let me take his place, and you will
make clear three hundred pounds a year !;
and, maybe, as much more"
Il can't think of it, Betsy. Let Us wait
awhile"
You must think of it, and we won't
wait awhile" replied the resolute wife
"What is right to be done is best done
quickly. Is there not safety in my plan -
"Yes, l think there is; but"
Then let us adopt it at once, and
throw all butts overheard, or" and she
looked at him little mischievously, 'per-
haps you would rather have some talk
with Mr Lawrence first?'
Hang Nj Lawrence calculated
Aaron Little.
Very we'll there being no help in Mr..
Lawrence, we will go to work to help
ourselves Self-help, I've heard it said,
is always the best help and most to be de-
pended on. We may know ourselves,
and trust ourselves; and that is great
deal more than we can say about other
people. When shall we have the sale"
Not so fast, Betsy, not so fast. /
haven agreed to the saleyet. That would
be sure to make a certain loss Furni-
ture sold at auction never realizes above
half its cost"
at would be certain gain, Aaron, if it
saved you from bankruptcy, with which,
as understand it, you are threatened"
Il think" said Aaron, we may get on
without that. l like the idea of your
coming into my warehouse ana taking
Hobson's plance. All the money from re-
tail sales passes through his hands, and
he has it in his power, if not honest, TO
rob me seriously. I've not felt altogethe!
easy in regard to him of late Why, can
hardly tell. I've seen nothing wrong.
Bat, if you take his place, three hundred
pounds will be saved entirely
But if have my house to keep" Mrs.
Little answered to this, 'how can l help
you at the warehouse? The first thing
in order is to get the house off my
hands,
Don't you think that Annie could be
induced to come and live with us for Il
few months until we Try this new expert
ments''
But the money, Aaron; the money
this furniture would bring. That's what
I'm looking after. You want money
now"
Every true"
Then let us hang out the red flag.
Halfway measures may only ruin every
thing l know that mother will not let
Annie leave home, so it's no use to think
of it. The flag, Aaron-the red flag
Depend upon it, that's the first right thing
to be done. Five or six hundred pounds
in hand will make you feel like another
person-give you courage, confidence and
energy"
you may be right, Betsy; but can't
bear the thought of running out that red
flag, of which you talk so lightly"
Shall say coward? Are you afraid
to do what common prudence tells you is
right" ?"
Il eeas afraid, Betsy; but am no longer
faint hearted With such brave little
wife as you to stand by my side, l need
not fear the world"
In week from that day the red flag
was hung out When the auctioneer made
up his accounts, he had in hand little
over eight hundred pounds, for which {
check was filled out to the order of Aaron
Little. 1t came into his hands just at the
right moment, and made HIM feel, TO use
his own words, ''as easy as an old shoe ,
One week later, Mrs. Betsy Little took
the place of Mr.. Hobson, as chief man
ager and cash receiver in her husband
warehouse There were some few signs
of rebellion among the clerks and shop
girls at the beginning; but Mrs. Betsy
had a quick, steady eye, and se1f-relian
manner, that caused her presence to be
felt, and soon made everything subser
Went to her will. 1t was remarkable
fact that at the close of the first week oil
her administration of affairs, the cash re
ceipts were over thirty pounds in excess
ofthe receipts ofany week within the pre-
vious three months.
Have we done more business thai
usual this week?" she asked of one clerl
and another; and the uniform answe
was, NO"
Then" said the lady to herself, there
been foul play here. Nowonder my hus
band was in trouble"
:. At the end of the next week, the sale
came up to the same average, and at th'
end of the third week, were forty pound