Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-10
A Half Loaf.

"'lIalf loaf is better than no bread,
Charlie"
Little Mabel Castleton said this wistfully,
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,
moodily. But his eyes followed his wife's
to the cosy nest of the twin babies.
at is a bad time of 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..
Mihlin 2"
81 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 discharge
some of his clerks. | have been with him
for ten years, and he was pleased to say that
| am very useful to him, and he is very un-
willing to part with me. But he can give
me but half my present salary, though he
promises to raise it again when business
prospects brighten. don't know what to
we w ave I'HN wv llbb hb DltStHl
salary"
"Yet we have saved something each month.
Besides, dear, we have not tried To be verv
economical. There are many ways in which
| could save"
"And make perfect slave of YOURSELF"
Not bit of it have plenty of leis.
ure time, now that May and Bella amuse
each other. Come, Charlie, accept Mr.. Milf
fins offer. You may hear of something bet
ter, even if you remain there, but don't
throw yourself out of situation in the
dead of winter, for my sake and the chill
dren's."
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 Mr.. Miflin's 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 follow her advice.
But it caused his pride sore wrench
lie had entered the service of his present
employer at seventeen, and slowly, steadily
gaining favor by dint of faithfully fulfilling
every duty, he had won his way to the desk
of head clerk. Not until he had secured
this position and the handsome salary ac-
companying it, would he ask Mabel to be
his wife, furnishing pretty cottage home
out of his savings, and giving her a thor
oughly comfortable income for housekeep-
ing expenses. lie was not extravagant, but
it pleased him to see his wife well-dressed,
to give her an efficient servant, to have his
twin girls ever presentable, his table well
appointed All this 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 in
come would be simply impossible. House
rent must be met, and the sum remaining
each month would need to be carefully cal
culated to meet all the expenses, leaving but
little margin for pleasures or extravaganza
of dress.
"Then, what would win say ?"
viii Casteton was Charles cousin, who
had been his lifelong companion. Together
they had left the school-room for business
position; viii entering the grain store of
Harvey & Russell, at the same time Charlie
had taken the place in Mr.. Mifflin'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 warmest indigna.
tion at the proposal made to his cousin,
strongly advising him to throw up his situ-
alton, and "see how old Mlfflin would get
along without him." and Charlie, before
seeing Mabel, was quite ready to follow his
advice.
lie knew viii would think him mean.
spirited to remain upon half salary, and yet
Mabel was right half a loaf was better
than no bread"
/ nd vrhila fharlsa raot1atnp
weighing the pros and cons of his decision
Mr.. Miflin was listening to the counsel OF
his old friend and chum, the senior partner
of the firm when it had been Gardiner s
Mfilin," and who, though he had retired
some years before, was still the friend and
frequent advisor of his former partner.
at is a mistake, Miiiln,' he said. You
had better send young Castleton about his
business and engage an entirely new book
keeper. You will find half pay will mean
half service, mark my words"
But might search c. from end tc
end and not find clerk competent to take
Charlie Castleton's place"
"Then pay him full salary"
"l cannot do it unless | reduce the nun
Der of statesmen, and | am short-handed now
There is but one way for me to keep my heaC
above water. You see Carke's failure in
wolves me very heavily, and"
And the worried man of business entered
into long explanations of his difficulties, no
necessary to repeat here.
1t touched Charlie Castleton deeply, whel
entering the counting-house 10 announce hi
determination to remain in his old position
to see how the face of his employer bright
ened. lie had been sitting in desponden
attitude, looking over the mails, the lines o
care strongly marked upon his face. A
Charlie spoke the large eyes grew brighter
and he smiled pleasantly, as he said
"Thank you, Castleton. 1t would hav,
caused me serious embarrassment to los
you, and am heartily glad you will stay
trust you will not long be obliged to taxi
a smaller salary, but circumstances compe
me to economize"
Z" You have been a kind employer TO me
for ten years" answered Charlie, sand i
| am really of any value, more than anothe
would be in my place, will not desert you.
And looking into the careworn face tina
trouble was marking more deeply than age
Charlie resolved to serve Mr.. Miiflin NOR
faithfully in his perplexities than in hi
more prosperous days.
1t was not long before the old gentleman
felt the sympathy of his young clerk, ant
looked to him as he had never done before
for advice as well as service. lie admitted
him TO confidential relations, explaining th,
difficulties caused by the failures of othe
firms, some heavily indebted to the house o
John Miflin, others upon whom he had de
pended for goods obtained upon credit.
Day by day, as the hard, trying winte
wore away, the two grew friends faster, ano
so far from lessening his work, Charlie
| II.