Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-01-19
A Half Loaf.
II. W. Chadwick.


Charlie"
Little Mabel Csstleton said this wisIfully,
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
rations you MENTION" said Charlie moodi-
Is. But his eyes followed his wife's to the
cosy nest of the win babies.
1t is bad time of year 10 be out of a sit
uation," said Mabel after u long silence;
"and how many OF whom we know are
idle II would not he easy to find employ
ment now."
"You think bad better remain with
Mr.. Mifilin2"
~ dol Tell me exactly what be said to
you"
"The substance of what he said WAS this:
business is So very dull that he is obliged
| to curtail bis expenses, and he must dis
| charge some Of his clerks. l have been
with him fer ten years, aud he was pleased
to say that l am very useful TO him, and he
| is very unwilling TO pant with me. But he
an give me but half my present salary,
though he promises to raise II when busi-
ness prospects brighten. 1 don't know
vvo s.O..s s~- -t-s- -
| present salary"
yet we have saved something each
month. Besides, dear, We have not tried
to be very econC mical. There are many
ways in which could save"
"And make perfect slave Of yourself"
"Not bit OF i'll l have plenty of leis-
ure time, now that May and Bella amuse
each other. Come, Charlie, accept Mr.. Milf
fiin's offer. You may hear of something
better, even il you remain there, but don't
brow yourself out of situation in the
dead of winter for my sake and the chill
drens."
The last argument conquered. Charlie
knew only too well that it would be almost
useless TO look for new situation, for the
whole town was echoing MIR. Mifiiins cry
OF hard times. The small nest-egg in the
bank would soon melt awsy when it be-
came the sole support of four; and SO,
kissing Mabel, he promised TO follow her
advice.
But ii caused his pride a 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, be had won his way TO
the desk of head clerk. Not until he had
secured this position and the handsome
salary accompanying 1t, would he ask Ma
bel 10 be his wife, furnishing pretty cot
tage home out of his savings, and giving
her thoroughly comfortable income for
housekeeping expenses. He was not ex-
travagant, but il pleased: him to see his
wife well-dressed, to give her an efficient
servant, 10 have his twin girls ever present
able, his table yell appointed. All this had
been easy enough upon his salary, and
there had been something added for three
years to the little bank fund.
But tO do all this upon ha;f the present
income would be simply impossible. House
rent must be met, and the sum remaining
each month would need to be carefully cal
culaled to meet all the expenses, leaving
but little margin for pleasures or extrava-
gance of dress.
"Then, what would VIII say ?"
Will Castieton was Charities cousin, who
had been his lifelong companion. Togeth'
er they had left the school room for a busi-
ness position viii entering the grain store
OF Harvey & Russell, at the same time
Charlie bad taken the place in Mr.. Miffin''
dry goods store. Shoulder to shoulder the
young men had worked their way up, til
this financial crisis brought all business
men into temporary difficulties If greater
=. or less magnitude.
Will had expressed the warmest indig
nation al The proposal made to his cousin
strongly advising him to throw up his sit
/ uation, aud ''see how old Miffiin would ge
+ along without him" and Charlie, beGor
seeing Mabel, was quite ready to follow hi
advice.
I He knew Will would think him mean
!, Ipirited to remain upon half salary, ant
vet Mabel was right; "half loaf was bet
: ter than no bread"
And while Charlie Castleton was thu
weighing the pros and cons of his decision
Mr.. Miffiin was listening to the counsel {
his old friend and chum, the senior partne
of the firm when II had been "Gardner
Miflin," and who, though he had retire
some years before, was still the friend an
frequent adviser of his former partner.
at is a mistake, Mifflin," he said. "Yo
had Letter send young CastletOn about b
I, business aud engage an entirely new bool
keeper. You will find half pay will mea
half service, mark my words"
"But might search c. from end
end and moi find clerk competent TO taE
Charlie Castlelon's place."
"Then pay him full salary"
81 cannot do 1t unless reduce the nun
n q ber of salesmen and am short-handed nov
ps There is but one way for me to keep m
u, IN head above waller. You see Clarke's fai
: re involves me very heavily, and"
"A And the worried man OF business 0nterI