The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1879-08-23

the place in Mr.. Mlf1lin's dry
goods store. Shoulder to shoul
der 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.
Will had expressed the warm
est Indignation at the proposal
made his cousin. strongly advis-
ing hm to throw up his situation,
and ''see how old Mifflin 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, ''half a loaf is better than
40 bread"
And while Charlie Castletoa |
was thus weighing the pros aud
cons OF his decision, Mr.. Miff1in
was listening TO the counsel of
his Old TREND and chum. the Sc
NOR partner of the firm that had
been Gardner & Mlfflin, aud who
though he had retired years be-
tore, was still the friend and fire.
qnent advisor of his former parts
ner.
''It is mistake, Miflin," he
said. "You had better send
Young Castleton about his busi-
ness aud engage an entirely new
book keeper. You will fin,a: that
half-pay means.,half service, mark
my Words"
"But [ might search C--from
end to end and not fluid clerk
competent to take his places:
"Then pay him full! salary"
II canEot do it unless I reduce
the number Of statesmen. and |
am short handed now. The,e is
bat ore way to keep my heaI
! above water. You see Clark's
failure involves me very heavily,
and
And the worried man of bust.
ness enteied into a heightened ex
+ planation Of his difficulties not
necessary 10 repeat here.
1t touched Cha lie CastletOn
deeply, when, entering the cOnnt
lag hOnse to announce his deter
mlnation to remain in his old pO-
sition to see the face Of his EN-
plOyer brighten. He had been
sitting in despundent attitude,
looking over the mail, the lines
of care strongly marked upon his
face. AS Charlie spoke the large
eyes grew bright, r, and he smill-
ed pleasantly as he said:
"rhank you, Charlie. 1t would
have caused me serious embarrass
ment to lose you, and | am hea:ti
ly glad you will stay. l trust
you will not long be obliged to
take a small salary. but circum.
stances compel me to economize."
! "You have been kind employ
er to me for ten years. replied
. Charlie, land if I am really of
any more value to you than anot
her would be IN my place, will
not desert you.''
And looking into the careworn
face that trouble was marking
more deeply than age, Charlie-re
solved to serve Mr.. Miffiin more
faithfully in his perplexity thar
in his more prosperous days.
; 1t was not long before the old
gentlemen felt the sympathy O
his young clerk, and looked tt
him as he had never done before
. for advice as well as service. Ht
admitted him to confidential rela
| tons, explaining to him the diff
entities caused by the failure OF
other firms, some very heavily in
debted to the house of John Nit
fin, and others upon whom h
: had depended for goods. obtained
upon credit.
f Day by day, as the hard, tryin
, winter wore away the two friend
grew nearer, and SO far from les
: sening his work, Charlie fount
: himself willingly lifting some {
his employers burdens upon hl
!. own shoulders.
Y He gave more time to bnsines!
j, and was gaining an insight int
h it OF which an opportunity ha
n never before been given him.
q And Mabel, at home. was bray
e ly taking her share OF the dimll
q ished loaf with a smiling fac
IS and cheerful heart. AS tar
8. might he she Kept from Charl1
r. the knowledge of her domest
,r economies; but some OF the
D. were apparent.
" The woman, whose competel
rre r. aid demanded high wages, WI
y. dismissed, and a halt-grOwn 81
4.