The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-05
Select Storp.
HALF "A LOAF.

aHalf loaf is better than no bread
Charlie.
Little Mabel Castleton said this wist
fully, her eyes, as she spoke, wandering t
the cradle, where two curly heads werI
lying.
nBut when one has had the whole loaf
May, one does not exactly relish the hall
rati0ns you mention, said Charlie, mood
ily. But his eyes followed his wifes t,
the cosy nest Of the twin babies.
cit Is bad time of the year TO be ou
Of situation, said Mable, after long
silence, sand how many of whom We know
are idle It would not be easy to find
employment now"
You think had better remain with
Mr.. Mifiin p
II do. Tell me exactly what he said
to you"
"The substance of what he said wa,
simply this ~ Business is 30 very dull that
he Is obliged to curtail his expenses, and
be must discharge some Of his clerks.
have been with him ten years, and he was
pleased TO say am very useful to him
and be is very unwilling to part with me
But be can give me but half my present
salary, though be promises to raise it when
business prospects brighten. Idon't know
what to do. We are none too rich at my
present salary"
ssYesweye saved something each month.
Besides, dear, We have not tried to be eco.
n0mical. There are many ways in which
I could save
Aud make perfect slave Of yourself" +"
mot bit oft. have plenty Of leisure
time, now that May and Bella can amuse
each other; come, Charlie, accept Mr.. Milf.
fins offer. You may hear Of something
better, even if you remain there; but dom I
throw yourself out of situation in winter,
for my sake and the children's."
The last argument conquered Charlie
knew too well that II would be almost use
less to look for new situation, for the
whole town was echoing Mr. Mifiin's cry
of hard times The small nest-egg in the
bank would soon melt away, when it be-
came the sole support Of four; and so, kiss
ing Mable, he promised to follow her
advice. But it caused his pride a sore
wrench.
He had entered the service Of his pres
ent employer at seventeen, and slowly,
steadily gaining favor by dint Of faithfully
performing every duty, he had won his
way to the desk of head clerk. Not until
he had secured this position and the hand
some salary accompanying it, would he ask
Mable 10 become his wife, furnishing q
pretty cottage home from his savings, and
giving her a thoroughly comfortable in
come for housekeeping expenses. He was
not extravagant, but it pleased him to see
his wife well-dressed, to give her an eff
cient servant, to have his twin girls ever
presentable, bis table wen 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 half the present
income would be simply impossible House
rent must be paid, and the sum remaining
each month would have to be carefully
calculated to meet all the expenses, Ieav-
ing but little for pleasure or extravaganza
of dress.
"Then, what would VIII say2"
Will Castleton was Charlie cousin, who
had been bis lifelong companion. To.
gether they had left the school-room for a
business position, VIII entering the grain
store Of Harvey & Russell, at the same
time Charlie had taken the place in Mr..
Mifiin's dry good store. Shoulder to
shoulder the young men had worked their
way up, till this financial crisis had brought
all business men into temporary difficulties
Of greater or less magnitude.
Win had expressed the warmest indig.
nation at the proposal made his cousin,
strongly advising him to throw up his sit.
uation, and Hsee how old Mifiiin would get
along without him, and Charlie, before
seeing Mabel, was quite ready to follow
his advice.
He knew VIII would think him mean
spirited to remain upon half salary, and
yet Mabel was right, ssHaIf loaf was bet.
ter than no bread.
And while Charlie Castleton was thus
weighing the pros and cons Of his decision,
Mn Miffiin was listening to the counsel Of
his old friend and chum, the senior part
ner of the firm that had been Gardner &
Mifiin, and who, though he had retired
years before, was still the friend aud FIRE.
qnent adviser Of his former partner.
1t is a mistake, Mifflin, he said. "You
had better send young Castleton about his
business, and engage an entirely now book
keeper. You viii find that half-pay means
half-service, mark my words
But / might search c. from end
to end and not find clerk competent tc
take his place.
"Then pay him full salary"
81 cannot do il unless / reduce the
number Of statesmen, and l am short.
handed now There is but one way tc
keep my head above water. You see
Clark's failure involves me very heavily
and"
And the worried man Of business en-.
tered into long explanations Of his difficult
ties not necessary to repeat here.
Il touched Charlie Castleton deeply
when entering the counting-house to an
nounce his determination to remain ia hi:
old position, TO see the face of his employer
brighten. He had been sitting in des
pondent attitude, looking over the mails
the lines of care strongly marked upon hi
face. As Charlie spoke the large eyei
grew brighter, and he smiled pleasantly al
he said:
"Thank you, Charlie. Ii would hav,
caused me serious embarrassment to los,