The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-09-10
A WoMAN'S PROPOSAL.


u the Office of Lord & Co. Close ap-
pllcation to the duties of his position
through long series of years had driven
the color from his face, until II resembled
in hue the leaves of the open ledger be-
fore him. From bending over his desk
his once broad shoulders had become
rounded, and what was once splendid
physique had become emaciated, until
scarcely sufficient flesh remained to hold
his bony frame together.
One by one had the clerks who had
been his assistants and companions been
discharged, and their duties added to
his, until, overtaxed, overweighted, and
overworked, his brain threatened to
succumb to the unceasing strain which
was slowly but surely sapping away
his very life. Yet no word of complaint
or expostulation did he utter, but strug-
gled on with an unwaverlng will to
complete the new tasks which, together,
made up the sum of his everyday life.
"We must economize," said Lord &
Co. Labor is a drug in the market,
everybody is reducing expenses, and we
must cut down-cut down, down." and
as he threw himself composedly into
his luxurious office-chair, the trade dol
lars in his capacious pocket seemed to
jingle out an echo" Cut down-cut
down-cut down ?"
Wages had been cut down until the
employees received scarcely enough
compensation for their services to pur-
chase bare existence, and the working
force of Lord q Co., had been reduced
until one person was compelled to per-
form the work of three. Business was
brisk, but day after day would an en-
ployee be summoned to the private
office of the firm, and his pale face, de-
spairing look, and quivering lip, when
he emerged therefrom, plainly indicated
that he was another victim to the cut
ting down process. A summons from
the firm to an employee to visit their
Office was an inevitable death warrant
to the victim.
One day John Furlong sat poring over
his ledger. His face, if possible, was
paler than ever, and his shoulders SEEM
ed rounder than ever. His eyes were
deep sunken in his head, and the ex-
preston of pain that occasionally flashed
across his marble features denoted that
his iron will was endeavoring to keep
in subjection the terrible nervous suf-
fering under which he was laboring.
Mr.. Furlong,' said the office boy,
g Mr.. Lord would be pie ased to see you
in his office"
John Furlong instinctively turned
pale. He dropped his pen mechanically,
and after moments hesitation, during
which the blood that flowed through
his veins seemed to rush back to his
heart, walked deliberately but sadly to-
ward the office in which the senior
member sat composedly.
All, Mr.. Furlong! Take seat, Mr..
Furlong-take seat, sir. Glad to see
youl All, Mr.. Furlong, we find we
must cut down-we must reduce. Our
expenses are altogether disproportionate
to our receipts. Economy is our only
safeguard, sir-I might say our only
salvation. Boy, order me carriage at
four sure. We have concluded to dis
pense with your services, Mr.. Furlong,
and we will not need you after to-
night"
"But, Mr.. Lord, after ten years
service in your house, you will not dis
miss me in so summary manner"
"Can't be helped, Mr.. Furlong, we
must cut down. Everybody is cutting,
and we must cut Can get men to work
for less, sir!"
"But am willing to work for less,
Mr.. 1ordn
" Too late sir-too late. Got man
engaged"
"But, Mr.. Lord"
"Don't detain me, Mr.. Furlong. The
carriage is waiting, and the club will
have champagne slipper at five. We
must cut down, sir"
The senior member of Lord & Co.,
carefully adjusting his high hat on his
bald head, entered the carriage in wait
ing, and was driven rapidly away.
Poor Emily what will she do now,"
said John Furlong, as he stood like one
paralyzed in the private Office of Eord
& Co. Heheard the office door closed,
heard the rattle of wheels made by the
departing carriage, and yet he stood
alone in the centre of the office, an i'm
personation of the statue of despair.