The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-17
Select Storp.
HALF A LOAF.

LLA1I II -AA- LIZA II
Half a loaf is better than no bread,
Charlie.
Little Mabel Castleton sIid this wist-
fully, her eyes, as she spoke, wandering to
the cradle, where two curly heads were
lying.
But when one has had the whole loaf,
May, one does not exactly relish the half
ratons you mention, said Charlie, moodi-
ly. But his eyes followed his wife's to the
cosy nest Of the twin babies.
1t is bad time of the year to be out
of a situation, said Mabel, after long
silence; and how many of whom we know
are idle 1t would not be easy to find
employment now.
You think | had better remain with Mr.
Mifiliu?
do Tell me exactly what he said to
you.
The substance of what he said was this
Business is so very dull that he is obliged
to curtail his expenses, and he must dis
charge some of his clerks. have been
with him for ten years, and he was pleas
ed to say that | am very useful to him,
and he is unwilling to part with me- Bat
he can give me but half my present sal
ary, though he promises to raise il again
when business prospects brighten. don't
know what to do. We are none too rich
at my present salary
Yet We have saved something each
month. Besides, dear, We have not tried
to be very economical. There are many
ways in which | could save
And make perfect slave Of yoursclfl
Not bit of it have plenty OF leis-
ure time, now that May and Bella amuse
each other Come, Charlie, accept Mr..
Miillin's offer. You may hear of some
thing better, even if you remain there,
but don't throw yourself out Of a situation
in the dead of winter, for my sake, and
the childrens.
The last argument conquered. Charlie
knew only too well that it would be al
most useless to look for new situation,
for the whole town was echoing Mr.. Milf
fins cry of hard times The small nest
egg in the bank would soon melt away
when it became the sole support of four
and so kissing Mabel, he promised to fol-
low her advice.
But it caused his pride sore wrench.
He had entered the service Of his present
employer at seventeen, and slowly, steadi-
ly gaining favor by dint Of faithfully full
filling every duty, he had won his way to
the desk of head clerk Not until he had
secured this position, and the handsome
salary accompanying it, would he ask Mabel
to be his wife, furnishing pretty cottage
home out Of his savings, and giving her
thoroughly comfortable income for house
keeping expenses. He was not extrava-
CANT, but it pleased him to see his wife
well dressed, to give her an efficient SER
vice, to have his twin girls ever presenta-
Die, his table welluppointed Allthis had
been easy upon his salary, and there had
been something added for three years to
the little bank fund.
But to do all this upon half the present
income would be simply impossible. House
rent must be met, and the sum remaining
each month would need to be carefully
calculated to meet all the expenses, leav-
ing but little margin for pleasure or ex-
iravagance of dress.
Then what would Will say?
will Castleton was Charities cousin,
who had been his life long companion.
Together they had left the school-room
for business position. VIII entering the
grain store of Harvey 4 Russell, at the
same time Charlie had taken the place in
Mr.. Miffiin's dry goods store. Shoulder
to shoulder the young men had worked
their way up, till this financial crisis
brought all business men into Temporary
difficulties of greater or less magnitude.
VIII had expressed the warmcst indig-
nation at the proposal made TO his cousin,
strongly advising him to throw up his sit
uation, aud see how old Mifiln would get
along without him, and Charlie, before
seeing Mabel, was quite ready TO follow
his advice.
He knew viii would think him mean
spirited to remain upon half salary, and
yet Mabel was right, half loaf was bet
ter than no bread.
And while Charlie Castlcton was thus
weighing the pros and cons Of his deeis-
ion, Mr.. Mifiiin was listening to the coun-
sci Of his old friend aud chum, senior
partner of the firm when il had been
Gardiner & Mifllin, aud who, though he
had retired some years before, was still
the strong friend and frequent adviser Of
his former partner
II is q mistake, Mifilin, he said You
had better send young castle,ou about his
business and engage an entirely new book
keeper You will find half pay viii mean
half service, mark my words
But | might search C--from end to end