Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-12-19

up her own dresses to clotho the twin
girls, and sewing busily every leisure
moment to keep all the little enes
tidy. .5 -.s s@t-.I H
And yet there came a day in June,
when six months of the second year
were almost gone, when she spent the
last dollar of the weeks money, while
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 that not one
had yet been presented 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 small sum she
could stretch over the necessary ex-
penses. ..-.ff.
i hate to begin she said: half aloud !;
if once we break in upon that. money,
it will melt away like snow before the
sum- r.. .-......--.. ..l..-.. D..
There was no alternative but debt,
and Mabel knew that 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 in the ink to fill out the blank
check. Before it touched the paper,
however, she paused listening. There
was a step in the hall that was not thai
ofthe nurse or her charges, voice ring
ing out clear and full, calling:
Mabel! Where are you, May?'
Here, in my roem,' she answered.
oh Charlie, what is it ?"
For the face at the door was so radl-
ant that all care seemed to have slipped
from it forever. -..
Good news, May And yet-perhaps
1 should feel sorry, too, only l did not
know him.
What are you talking about p
Did you read this mornings paper?'
Yes
Did you notice the death of Amos
Gardner p
No. Is that the Mr.. Gardner who
used 20 be Mr.. Mullins partner, before
YOU went into the store ?;
Yes; he was backelor, and he has
left his whole estate to Mifflin, except a
few legacies. The store will be closed
till after the funeral so we have three
days holiday, May
L am glad you Will be able 10 rest
But that is not all. Do you guess
the rest p
You are to have your old salary
again.
More than that. Mr.. Mifflin took me
to his house this morning and told me
all his plans. He will enlarge the BUSH
ness, and take on again all his statesmen
who are willing to come. He has given
ME permission to offer positionto Will
Castleton, who has been nearlya year
out of employment, because he would
not accept your theory of half loaf
being better than no bread.''
L know. Poor Will! l am afraid
Maria had worse year than ours has
been. Charlie.
Nor is this all, May !.
More good news still =
More still! Mr.. Garener, Aifflin
SAYS, did me some injustice some time
by supposing that l would proportion
my work to the decrease in my salary.
To atone for this he has left me five
thousand dollars
"Oh, Charlie!'
Hold on, little woman he also
advised Mr.. Mitflin, in their very last
to reward my faithful. disia-
terested devotion to him in his late diff
culties, his own words, May, by taking
ME as a partner in the business"
Charlie Oh, my Charlie !! l must
either laugh or cry!' said Mabel. almost
Laugh then, by all means! The new
firm of Mifflin s. 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 ?"