The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-05
SeItft Storp.
HALF a LOAF.
a STORY BOZ WEE rIMEs.


"Half loaf is better than no bread
Charlie"
Little Mabel CastletOn said this visit
fully, 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 halt
rations you mention, said Charlie, mood
lily. But his eyes followed his wife's tc
the cosy nest Of the twin babies.
'sIt Is bad time of the year to be out
Of a situation, said Mable, after long
silence, sand how many Of whom we know
are idleI 1t would not be easy to find
employment now"
"You think / had better remain with
Mr.. Mifiin2' '
II do. Tell me exactly what he said
to you"
"The substance of what he said was
simply this business is so 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 l am very useful to him,
and he is very unwilling to part with me.
But he can give me but half my present
salary, though he promises to raise it when
business prospects brighten. Idon't know
what to do. We are none too rich at my
present salary"
Yet we've saved something each month
Besides, dear, we have not tried to be eco
nomical. There are many ways in which
/ could save
aAnd make perfect slave Of yourself"
Not 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 don't
throw yourself out of situation in winter,
for my sake aud the childrens."
The last argument conquered Charlie
knew too well that it would be almost use
less to look for a new situation, for the
whole town was echoing Mr. Miffiin'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 to become his wife, furnishing a
pretty cottage home from his savings, and
giving her a thoroughly comfortable in
come for housekeeping expenses. He was
not extravagant, but ir pleased him to see
his wife well-dressed, TO give her an eff
cient servant, to have his twin girls ever
presentable, his table well appointed. All
this had been easy enough upon his salary,
aud 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 10 be carefully
calculated to meet all the expenses, leav-
ing but little for pleasure or extravaganza
of dress.
'sThen, what would VIII say?"
Will Castleton was Charles cousin, who
had been his lifelong companion. To-
gcther they had left the school-room for a
business position, Will entering the grain
store of Harvey d 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 o. less magnitude.
viii had expressed the warmest indig-
nation at the proposal made his cousin,
strongly advising him to throw up his sit
uation, and "see how old Miffiin would get
along without him." aud Charlie, before
seeing Mabel, was quite ready 10 follow
his advice.
He knew Will would think him mean
spirited to remain upon half salary, and
yet Mabel was right, "Half loaf was bet
ter than no bread"
And while Charlie Castleton was thus
weighing the pros and cons of his decision,
Mr. Mifiiiu was listening to the counsel of
his old friend and chum, the senior part
ner Of the firm that had been Gardner &
Miffiin, and who, though he had retired
years before, was still the friend and fire.
quent adviser of his former partner.
at lisa mistake, Mifflin, he said "You
had better send young Castleton about his
business, and engage an entirely now book
keeper. You will fnd that half-pay means
half-service, mark my words"
"But | might search c. from end
to end and not find clerk competent to
take his place. y
"Then pay him full salary"
Il cannot do it unless l reduce the
number of statesmen, and / am short
handed now. There is but one way to
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.
Ii touched Charlie Castleton deeply,
when entering the copating- house to an
nounce his determination to remain 10 his
old position, to see Che face ef MS employer
brighten. He had been sitting in des-
pendent attitude, cooking over the mails,
the lines Of care strongly marked upon his
face. As Charlie spoke the large eyes
grew brighter, and he smiled pleasantly as
he said
"Thank you, Charlie. 1t would have
caused me serious embarrassment to lose