The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-01-13


replace them.
Often Mabel feared the sayings for "rainy
day" must be broken upon, bur she kept all
such tears in her own heart, ana had always q
bright word of cheer for tired Charlie when
he came home.
She never told him that the late breakfast
that she planned to let the babies sleep while
he ate his early one, comprised none of the
little tempting dishes of his own meal, but
was literally bread and milk six mornings
out of seven She never let him know that
the reason she suggested his lunching down
town, was really 10 save the price of that
meal towards the dinner, the dainty parcel he
carried never costing the price of regular
meal for all of them.
! She did not tell him she was cutting up
her own dresses To clothes the twin girls, and
sewing busily in every leisure minute TO keep
all the little ones tidy.
! And vet there came day IN June, when
SIX month 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 presented at the bank.
She took one from the desk where they had
LAID so long and spread it out before her, cal
culatlng, with FUCKERS on her pretty face,
how small sum could stretch over the ne
lcessary expenses.
II hate to begin" she said, half aloud; "If
once we break IN upon that money, 1t will
melt away like snow before the sun"
But there was no alternative but debt, and
Mabel knew Charlie would never be willing
Ito owe any man cent while he had the cent
with which to pay him. So, with deep
sigh, she dipped her pen in the ink, to fill
1 nh, Of p1a,1 thn
paper, however, she paused, listening. There
little nurse or her charges, a voice ringing
out clear and full calling:
Mabel! Where are you, May?"
"Here IN my reomn she answered "Oh,
Charlie, what is It?
For the face at the door was one so radiant
that all care seemed 10 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 paper"
"Yes"
"Did you notice the death of Amos Gardi-
ner?"
NO. Is that the Mr.. Gardiner who used
to be Mr.. Mullins partner, before you went
into the store?"
"Yes; he was a bachelor, and has left his
whole estate to MT. Miffiln, except q few lega-
cies. The store will be closed till after the
funeral; so we have three days holiday,
May"
81 am glad you will be ablJ to rest"
"But that Is not all. Do you guess the
rest p"
You are 20 have your old salary again?"
more than that Mr.. Milling took me to
his house this morning, and told me all his
plans. He will enlarge the business and take
on all the old statesmen who are willing to
come. He has given me permission to offer
a position 10 viii Castleton, who has been
now nearly year out of employment, be-
cause he would not accept your theory of
half loaf being better than no bread"
III know. Poor Will l am afraid Maria
has had worse year than ours has been,
Charlie"
III am sure of it! But l have saved my
best news till the last, Mabel"
More good news ST III!
More still. Mr.. Gardiner Mr.. Mlfliin
says, did me some injustice some time ago, by
,upposing that would proportion my work
to the decrease of my salary. To atone Tor
this. he has left me hive thousand dollars"
son, Charlie!"
Hold on little woman: and he also advls
eu NIT. Mlllllu, III tiicir NcIy laSt inteINlcW, w
reward my faithful, disinterested devotion to
him in his late difficulties, his own words,
taking me as a partner in the bust
ness"
"Charlie! Oh Charlie, l must laugh or
cryl' said Mabel, almost Historically.
Laugh then, by all means! the new firm
Of Milllin Il Castleton must not be christened
with tears, even happy ones! Hurrah! Who
will say after this that half loaf is not better
than no bread"