The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-05

far as might be she kept from Charlie the
knowledge Of her domestic economies; but
some of them were apparent.
The woman, whose competent aid de-
manded high wages, was dismissed, and q
half-grown girl engaged to mind the ba-
bies, while Mabel cooked and washed and
ironed and sewed, meeting difficulties with
a courageous heart. She had never been
a drone in the worlds hive, having been a
busy little dressmaker before Charlie Cas-
Teton won her heart, and took her to pre-.
side over his pretty home.
But for 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 heart full of pardonable
triumph that the young couple at the end
Of the 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 loaf 20
round, said Mabel, as they went careful
ly 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; and there was more
than that, Mabel. have been able to
help Mr.. Mifiin more than 1 could have
done in our old relations to each other.
His perplexities made him long for some
one to whom he could speak con6dentially,
and when the ice was once broken he took
me fully into ali the business condolences.
/ could often suggest way out of difficult
i ty that had not occurred to him, and even
when l was of no actual use to him, it was
a relief to pour ont his troubles to some
one who was in full sympathy with him. /"
"But you have worked very hard, Char
liei never saw you so tired as you often
have been this year, and your face is more
careworn than it has ever becn.''
"Well, it is some comfort to know that
business prospects are looking brighter.
BY closest eeoTiomy, Mr.. Mifiin has man
aged to meet tie obligations he was afraid
would ruin him, and there is a good look
out for the coming year.
"Will he give you whole loaf yet.
Charlie p
.'NOt yet, think. Never mind. We
have held out so far. We win not despond
yet"
"DespOndl I guess not 1 am going
to have some of those crumbs you were
speaking of, next year. 1 have learned
some valuable lessons in saving"
The second year was certainly not an
easy one for Mabel A wee baby, in ad-
dition to the three-year-old twins, kept the
mothers hands busy, while there was no
decrease in the household work. Many
little articles of clothing and housekeeping,
too, that lasted well one year, were past
service in the second, and it was not so
easy to replace them.
Often Mable feared the savings for a
''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 the seven. She never
let him know that the reason she suggest
ed his lunch down town, to save the long
walk home, was really to save the price of
that meal toward the dinner, the dainty
little parcel he carried never costing the
price of regular meal for them all.
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 spent the last dol
lar of the weeks money while the week
was only half gone. Charley had given
her, long before, some signed checks to
meet such an emergency, ba: il was her
pride to think that not che 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 sum she could stretch
over the necessary expenses.
81 hate to begin" she said half aloud;
eff once we break in upon that money, it
will melt away like snow before the sun"
There was nc alternative but debt, and
Mabel knew that Charlie would never be
willing to owe any man a cent while he
had cent with which to pay him. So,
with great sigh, she dipped her pen in
the ink to fill out the blank check. Be-
fore it touched the paper, however, she
paused listening There was step in the
hall that was not that of the nurse or her
charges, voice ringing out full and clear,
calling
mabel Where are you, May? ?"
'sHere, in my room" she answered.
"Oh, Charlie, what is it?'
For the face at the door was SO radiant
THAT all care seemed to have slipped from
it forever.
'Good news, May And yet-perhaps
should feel sorry, too, only l did not
know him."
"What are you talking about2"
did you read this mornings papers p
"Yes.n
"Did you notice the death of Amos
Gardner? p
"No. Is that the Mr.. Gardner who
used tn be Mr.. Mullins partner, before
you went into the store ?"
eyes; he was a bachelor, and he has
left his whole estate to Mr. Mifflin, except
few legacies. The store will be closed
till after the funeral; so we have three
days holiday, May"
81 am glad you will be able to rest"
''But that is not all. Dou you guess
the rest p