The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-17

D"o uiu uoO lci nun silc was cutting VI
her own dresses to clothe the twin girls
aud sewing busily every leisure moment
to keep all the little ones tidy.
And yet there came day in June
when six months OF the second year were
almost gone, when she had spent the last
dollar Of the weeks money, while yet the
week was only half gone. Charlie had
given her long before some signed checks
to meet such an emergency, but It was her
pride to think not one had yet been pre-
sented at the bank. She took one from
the desk where they had lain so long, and
spread it out before her, calculating with
FUCKERS on her pretty face, how well she
could stretch over the necessary expenses.
| hate IN begin, she said, half.aloud; il
once we break in upon that money, it will
melt away like snow before the sun.
But there was no alternative but debt.
and Mabel knew Charlie would never be
willing to owe any man cent, while he
had the cent with which to pay him. So
with great sigh, she dipped her pen 10
the ink, to fill out the blank check. Be-
fore It touched the paper, however, she
paused, listening There was step in
the hall, that was not that of the little
nurse or her charges, voice, ringing out
clear and full, calling.
Mabel Where are you, May?
Here in my room, she answered Oh,
Charlie, what is it?
For the face at the door was one so ra-
diant that all care seemed to have slipped
from it forever.
Good news, May! And yet-perhaps
l should feel sorry, too, only did not
know him.
What are you talking about?
Did you read this mornings paper2
Yes
Did you notice the death of Amos Gar
diner
No. Is that the Mr.. Gardiner who used
to be Mr.. Mifflin's partner, before you
went into the store
Yes; he was bachelor, and he has left
his whole estate to Mr.. Mifflin, except II
few legacies. The store will bc closed till
after the funeral; 50 we have ,nree days
holiday, May.
| am glad you will be able to rest.
But that is not ALL Do you guess the
rest.
You are to have your old salary again.
More than that. Mr.. Mifilin took me
to his house this morning, and told me all
his plans He will enlarge the business,
and take on again all his old salesmen
who are willing to come. He has given
me permission to offer position to viii
Castleton, who has been now nearly a
year out of employment, because he would
not accept your theory of "half loaf
being "bettcr than no bread"
| know. Poor VIII | am afraid Ma
ria had worse year than ours has been,
Charlie.
| am sure Of it. But have saved my
best news till the last, Mabel.
More good news still
More still Mr.. Gardiner, Mr. Mifflin
says, did me some injustice some time
ago, by supposing that would proportion
my work to the decrease in my salary.
To atone for this, he has left ME five thou
sand dollars.
Oh, Charlie
Hold on, little woman; and he also ad-
vised Mr. Mifflin, in their very last inter-
view, to reward my faithful, disinterest-
ed devotion to him in his late difficulties"
his own words, May, by taking me as
partner in the business.
Charlie Oh, Charlie, l must laugh or
cry said Mabel, almost Historically.
Laugh, then by all means The new
firm of Mifiiin Il Castleton must not be
christened by tears, even happy ones !
Hurrah Who will say after this that a
half loaf is not better than no bread