Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-10
VOL. 72.-3665. NO. 13.

was dismissed, and a half-grOwn girl en-
gagged to mind the babies while Mabel
cooked, washed, ironed and served, meeting
difficulties with q courageous heart. She
had never been drone in the worlds hive,
having been busy little dressmaker before
Charlie Castleton won her heart, and took
her TO preside over his pretty home. But
for the three years Of her married life she
had been much petted. and there were many
pleasures to put aside, many dollars well
weighed before they were spent.
1t was with a heart full of pardonable
triumph that the young couple, at the end
of the first year of reduced pay, found they
were still out of debt, and had not touched
the nest-egg in the bank
You see, Charlie we made the half loaf
go round" said Mabel, as they went care
fully over the years expense book.
" There are no crumbs" he said, with a
wry face.
"Never mind, it was better than idle.
ness !"
"You are right, aud there is more than
that, May. | have been able TO help Mr.
Miiilin more than | ever could have done in
our old relations to each other His per-
plexities made him long for some one to
whom he could speak confdentially, and
when the ice was once broken, he took me
fully into all the business condolences.
could often suggest way out Of difficulty
that had not occurred to him, and even when
| was of no actual use to him, it was relief
to pour out his troubles to some one who
was in full sympathy with him."
"But you have worked very hard, Charlie
| never saw you so tired as you often have
been this year, and your face is more care
worn than it has ever been"
10 fort 10 bat
business prospects are looking brighter. BY
closest economy, Mr.. AIiffiin has managed
to meet the obligations he was afraid would
ruin him, and there is good lookout for the
coming year."
"Will he give you whole loaf yet,
Charlie ?"
"Not yet, | think. Never mind. We
have held out so far. We will not des-
pond now"
"Despond guess not am hoping to
to have some of those crumbs you were
speaking of next year. | have learned many
valuable lessons in saving"
The second year was certainly not an easy
one for Mabel. A wee baby in addition to
the tbree-year-old twins kept the mothers
hands busy, while there was no decrease in
household work. Many little articles of cloth
ing and housekeeping, too that lasted well
through one year, were past service in the
second one, and it was not easy to replace
them.
Often Mabel feared the saving for rainy
day must be broken in upon, but she kept
all such fears shut up in her own heart, and
had always a bright word of cheer for tired
Charlie when he came home.
She never told him that the late break
fast that she had 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
lunch down town, to save the long walk
home, was really to save the price Of that
meal towards the dinner the dainty little
parcel he carried never costing the price OF
a regular meal for all of them.
She did not tell him she was cutting up
her own dresses to clothe the twin girls, and
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 the week was only
half gone Charlie had given her, long be-
fore, some signed checks to meet such all
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 lain so long, and spread it out before
her, calculating, with Fuckers on her pretty
face. how small she conld stratoh over the
necessary expenses.
:" il once we break in upon that money, it
will melt away like snow before the sun"
But there was no alternative but debt,
nd .ha Enatp hat 10
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 that of the little nurse or her
charges, a voice, ringing out clear and full,
calling
"Mabel Where are you, May?"
"Here in my room, she answered "Oh,
Charlie, what is it p
For the face at the door was one so radi-
ant that all care seemed to have slipped
from it forever.
Good news, May And yet-perhaps
should feel sorry, too, only did not know
him"
"What are you talking about ?"
did you read this mornings paper ?"
Eyes"
add you notice the death of Amos
Gardner 2"
"No. Is that the Mr.. Gardner who used
TO be Mr.. Mifiin's partner, before you went
into the store ?"
"Yes; he was a bachelor, and he has left
his whole estate to Mr.. Mifiln, except few
legacies. The store will be closed till after
the funeral; so we have three days holiday,
May"
II 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.. Mitflin took me to
his house this morning. and told me all his
plans. He will enlarge the business and
take OH again all his statesmen who are will
ing to come. lie has given me permission
TO offer position to viii Castleton, who has
been now nearly year out of employment,
because he would not accept your theory OF
half loaf being better than no bread +"
81 know. Poor Will am afraid Ma
ria had worse year than ours has been
| Charlie"
al am sure of it. But l have saved my
best news till the last, Mabel"
More good news stilll'
"Nore still Mr.. Gardner, Mr.. Mifiiin
says, did me some injustice some time by
supposing that would proportion my work
to the decrease in my salary. To atone for
this he has left me five thousand dollars"
"Oh, Charliew
" Hold on, little woman; and he also ad-
vsed Mr., Miilin, in their very last inter
view, to reward my faithful, disinterested
devotion to him in his late difficulties, his
own words, May, by taking Inc as partner
in the business"
"Charliel Oh, my Charlie I must
either laugh or cry " said Mabel, almost
Historically.
Laugh, then, by all means The new
firm of Mifllin 4 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 -
New York Ledger.
Con binds not up thy wounds, unless thou
lay them open by confession, and bewail
them. lie covers not unless thou first un-