The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-07-25
A GENEROUS EXPLORER.

So 81 - " - - FsT- ~ =.
A GENEROUS EMPLOrER,
"when tho Heart u Tsachea tho Pocket
T;-x.s e., -lUacleees."| -
Sladicker was looking for work, and,
hoping against hope, wandering into 4
musty shop over in Covington, to make
one more attempt to find something to do.
He made his way to melancholy -look-
ing old fossil, with an appearance strong
~ suggestive of mildew, who had been
pointed out as the boss.
'What's the prospect of getting little
work with you?" inquired Sladickcr, in
a tremulous voice, without the slightest
idea that there was any chance whatever.
The old man Strengthened up from bis
bench, turned around, and gazed at
Sladicker with watery eyes over his glass.
es, with a surprised, commiserating look,
for several seconds, and then, as he mop
ped out his misty optics with the corn
er OF his apron, he drew q sigh that
seemed to start from away down the eel.
lar somewhere, and said:
"Heh-h-h2',
I'm looking for something to do, sir
I've been out Of work since the middle
of winter, and have family at my back
almost starving. If it wasn't for the
little washing and cleaning my wife
manages to pick up. soul and body
couldn't have been kept together this
long. I've walked the town over day
after day, trying to find something to do
but all the shops are full, and nobody
wants any body for any thing. I'll work
cheap, sir: and do my work we'll If you'll
only give me show; no matter if it's
only for few days. Can't you give me
a lift with little work?" and Sladicke1
scarcely breathed till the answer came
The old man spread a mournful look
over his face, fetched out few more
signs of assorted sizes, took out bis knife
and began whiting at stick, and then
finally, with twitching effort that seem.
to hurt him somewhere, said:
"Ah-h-yes, need help; but it just
about breaks me to hire any body and
keep things going. I discharged couple
Of men last week, and had to sell house
and lot to pay 'em off. The longer run
the business the less profit l seem to have
I'd like to set you to work, but 1 don't
see how I can afford it, or how I can
manage to pay you. My wife has had
bad luck getting her rent, and it does
seem as though times was squeezing
everybody to death. Perhaps yeu don't
know how tight money is; it's mons Gus
hard to get. If you could kind O. bear
with me, though, and take your pay as
could spare it, may be could manage
to give you a steady job-secms to me l
could"
Sladickcr jumped at the chance, and
clinched the bargain at once.
He went home that night with light
er heart than he carried for months, and
frightened the eyes of his care worn wife
with the glad news that he had found
work and the children danced and clapped
their hands when told they would soon
taste meat again. Saturday night came
but no money. During the next week he
managed to secure fifty cents in three
separate installments. The week follow
ing was barren of moncyed results. Slad-
ECKER began to feel desperate, but his i'm
portunities only broug ht forth the re-
minder of the terms Of engagement If
he dinn't like the situation, he could quit
at any time. Sad experience had
taught him that he could not we'll better
himself, and he thought it wiser to retain
the work until something better offered,
feeling sure that he would secure the pay
stipulated at some time. His employer
was a mao of much promise, and he
trusted him, not wisely but perhaps,
too we'll.
eff l could manage to get my board, ,
Sladicker, !" it wouldn't be so bad. Its
hard enough for my wife to feed herself
and the little ones, and feel like thief
in sharing the little she brings int al.
most chokes me-"
The employer frightened up and rub.
bed his hands, while something very like
smile truck an attitude between his
nose and ears.
" Ah-h-um! Why, let me see," said he
" May be we can fix that. get my ffou,
and meat on credit gueas can board
you. What's to hinder?'
And so it came about that Sladickel
went to board with the hypocritical old
fraud. A sorry day it was for him, too
for when he entered there the chance Of
other recompense was left behind. Tho
old spider now had him completely in
bis web, and he would take good care tt
keep him there by seeing to it that hi
didn't SO much as get the wherewith tt
cross the river. 1t was trick with him
and he never felt that he could depend
upon his help as steady and permanent
until he had brought matters to such {
pass that they were glad to board with
him.
About the second or third week Sla.
kicker's little girl came over to see he1
father, with a most pitiable story, which
she sobbed out to him. With raining
tears and choking voice, Sladicker wenl
to the old fossil and entreated for money
with which to relieve his suffering fam
lily.
"Mr. Bailey" said he, I mast have some
money. My little girl has just come owe,
and told me that my wife is down sick
in bed there amt bite of any thing ir
the house to cat. and l haven't even go1
so much as bridge ticket to go owe,
and see her." and the strong man b,oke
completely down and wept like a child
as he held out his hand for part of his
much-needed back pay,
The appeal was too much fol the miser.
ly employer, and could not he resisted
With the quickest movement he had ever
made in his life, most likely, his hand
was thrust into his pocket up to the elbow
and the next instant the trempling palm
of Sladicker closed over a bridge ticset
Only that and nothing more.
We presume the reader will conside,
the above an idle exsggeration of fancy
but we have positive and reliable infor.
nation that it was a real occurrence, and
happened in Covington, as stated.-C;n-
c;nnati Breakfast Table.
He thought to head off the yoluble
barber. Sitting down in a chair. he SAID
II want q shave. g. shamnOO. a hath q