The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-12-16

desperate diseases require desper.
ate remedies" replied the brave little
woman in resolute way. "l'm not
afraid Of the red flag"
what do you mean by the red aag."
"let us sell of our furniture at auc,
ton, aud put the money 10 your bust
uess. Il won't bring less than five
hundred pounds aud it may bring
more. My piano is worth nearly a
hundred. We can board for year or
two, and when you get all right again,
return to housekeeping"
I'VE won't try that yet, Betsy said
Mr.. Little.
"But something must bc d1ne. The
disease is threatening, aud my first pre-
scrlptlon will arrest its violence.
have something more to propose. II
comes into my mind this instant after
breaking up We will go to mothers.
You know she never wanted us to leave
there. 1t won't cost US much over
halt what it does now, taking rent into
the account. We will pay sister Annie
something to take care Of little Eddie
and Lizzie through the day, and will
so into your warehouse as chief clerk"
Betsy, you're crazy"
mot bit Of it, Aaron, but sensi.
BILE woman, as you viii 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 mau. Let me take his place,
and you will make clear three hun.
dred podnas a year; aud maybe, us
much more"
II cant think of it, Betsy. Let us
wait awhile"
You must think Of it, and we won't
wait awhile" replied his resoute wife.
"What is right to be done is best done
quickly. Is there not safety in my
plan2'
Yes, think there is; but
"Then let US adopt it at once, and
throw all butts overheard, Or" and she
looked ut him little mischievously,
perhaps you would rather have some
talk With Mr.. Lawrence first !"
"Hang Mr.. Lawrence !" calculated
Aaron Little.
"Very well there being no help in
Mr.. Lawrence, we will 20 to work to
help ourselves. Selfhelp, I've heard
it said, is always the best help, and
most to be depended on. We may
know ourselves and trust ourselves aud
that is great deal more than we eau
say about other people. When shall
We have the sale 7"
mot SO fast, Betsy, not so fast. l
haven't agreed to the sale yet. That
would be to make certain loss. Fur
nlture sold ut auction never realizes
above half its cost"
sit would be certain gain, Aaron,
If it saved you from bankruptcy, with
which, as | understand it, you are
threatened" q
:" think, said Aaron, we may get
on without that. like the idea of your
coming into my warehouse and taking
liobson's place. All the money from
retail sales passes through his hands
and he has it in his power, il not hon.
est, to rob me seriously. I've not felt
altogether easy iu regard to him of late.
Why, l can hardly tell. I've seen
nothing wrong. But if you take his
place three hundred pounds will be
saved certainly"
But it | have my house to keep"
Mrs. Little answered to this, "how can
help you ut the warehouse The
first thing in order is to get the house
off of my hands,
Can't you think that Annie could
be induced to come and live with us for
a few months until we try this new OK
perimenty"
:" But the money earned and the
money this furniture would bring
That's what | am looking after. You
want money now"
Very true"
Then let US hang out the red flag.
Half way measures may only ruin every.
thing know that mother will not let
Annie leave home, SO its no use to think
OF IT, The red 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--givc you cour.
age, confidence aud energy"
"You may be right Betsy; but cant
bear the thought of running out that
red flag, of which you talk SO lightly"
Shall | say coward2 Are you
afraid to do what common prudence
tells you is right z"
was afraid, Betsy but am no lon
ger faint.hearted. With such brave
little wife as you to stand by my side,
| need not fear the world.
Iu week from that day the red flag
was hung out. When the aactioneer
made up his accounts, he had 10 hand
a little over eight hundred pounds, for
which check was filed out to the order
OF Aaron Little. II cam, 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 manager and
cash receiver 10 her husbands ware.
house. There were some few signs Of
rebellion among the clerks aud shop
girls at the beginning, but Mrs. Betsy
had quick, steady eye, aud self re-
liant manner, that caused her presence
to be felt, and soon made everything
subservient to her will It was 4 re-
markable fact, that a, the close of the
first week Of her administration Of af.
fairs the cash receipts were over thirty
pounds 10 excess Of the receipts Of any