The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-02-19


ened and sweetened the room.
And when the sUpper-table was
cleared, Ivah would sit by Tom, to do
the multiplying and dividing, and add
ing and verifying-the drudgery of the
bookkeeping.
Atlength the anxiously expected day
came when Tom was to hear the jud0-
ment as TO his trial. When ne returned
at night, Ivah scrutinized his face, her
heart full at perceiving that it was not
very cheerful. She refrained from asking
questions, leaving him TO choose his
time and manner of communicating the
result.
50 Harris Brothers offer me the place
at forty dollars month, - be said, after
supper.
go Tom, how glad we ought to be-
how thankful! I've felt all the time
that God meant to take care of US,
Ivah said, and then she broke down and
cried.
But if / can do the work of the
place. said Tom, grumbling, 81 don't
see why / shouldn't have the wages
which belong to it. I've about decided
to tell Harris Brothers that L will not
work for half-pay."
"Oh, don't, Tom, don't!'' cried Ivah,
|
worth to have secured the place. Take
what you can get till you have gained
skill, and demonstrated your value.
When you are sure of your skill, and
they are sure, you may ask for higher
/ salary. We can manage well with forty
dollars. I find new ways of economic
/ ing every day.
On and on she went, till Tom was
1 persuaded to close with Harris Broth
ers' offer.
He would not have been able to de-
serve this but for his sisters watchful
help. Even after he had gained skill in
the work, he still brought his books
home for her aid. Often she was left
bending over the figures, while he went
out to refresh himself at some place of
amusement or by call.
Before the year was out, TOMS salary
had been raised to seventy dollars a
month, and a few months later, he an
nounced that, at last, he was to have
one thousand dollars.
'' Isn't it good, dear Tom?' Iyah
said, cuddling close up to him. ''We
can begin to lay by something for Baby IS
education"
81 can't spare much money!" said
Tom, with his eyes dOwncast. There
/
went on with some words that made
his sisters heart beat in dreadful way
s'The fact is, I've been waiting for 9
raise in my salary to-to-make an i'm
portant change in my life.''
Ivah's heart stood still in terror.
Again Tom paused.
"What is it, Tom? What change
You are not going away?'
No. 1 suppose 1 ought to have tolC
you before. I'm I'm engaged to ge
married.
She gasped, go Toni" and thel
broke into tears.
Tom was vexed at her emotion.
81 don't see why you need take on a
that rate,' he said, with petulance. "
should think you'd rejoice at any hap
piness that comes into my life o
drudgery.'
" Yes,'' sobbed Ivah; "but it was 81
unexpected! Dear, dear Tom, 1 an
glad of any thing that will make yol
happier. OF course, it has been yer.
dreary for you since father died, ant
you have had to work hard"
She did not add, as many anothe
, would have done, 90 And l have worke
] hard; and your work, Tom, has take
you out into the light and life and sur
, shine; mine has tied me TO the lionel
house. You have had time and heal
to make love and to win love-
She said nothing of this, but aske
) take her place.
When Tom gave it, she said, "Thi
+ sounds like French name"
] She is of French parentage," Tol
: admitted.
r "When do you expect to be ma
: riedP"
/ "Next Wednesday,"
r "And this is Saturday. Ifear I can
!. get things ready for you. Your rool
e ought to be repapered."
g No matter about my roOm," sal
Tom, with nervous haste, for he saw
!, chance to say, in natural connection
o what he dreaded to say. 50 l think "
I had better 90 to Mrs. Hills for fe
q months, at least. l want Marie hOl
n eymoon, at least, to be pleasant. Baby
: getting to be such bother. 1t wou-
,. make you so much more work, tOO,'
o hastened to add, glad of so good an e
cuse.
q "What would the house be withor
Tom?" cried Ivah's poor heart. The
% too, the prudent little soul trembled
It the extravaganza Of TOMS plan.
II 81 don't see, Tom, how you cs
% afford to take rooms at Mrs. Hills.
we divide, we double the expense;
= don't see how we can manage on
;, thousand dollars"
Tom rose from one chair and flu
!, himself into another.
= 81 don't expect we shall stay there
NJ year" he said, impatiently. '' OF cours
1 can't keep up two establishments; th
40 isn't to be expected of man. 9th
young men marry, and set up for thel
selves. You can't expect that l can st
IN tied up to you always, Ivah. l shou
think you might do something to ca
of a living. You can't expect to
ey through life without work. Why cal
nj you teach"
N Ivah replied with low, pathetic voic
Iv ssYou ought to know why, Tom.
~ have been doing housework since l W
10. l have no preparation for teac
as ing"
= q 3 We'll" said Tom, in his easy ws
~ q You have a good head for plannin
st You'll have to think it over and detc
of mine what you'll do
,st He went out, and left his sister sitti
Nv with white face and wide eyes. 1t W
as not dismay that she must go out sing
np handed to the combat that kept
he sitting there like statue; it was Il
er Tom was willing she should fight alol
he With deserted feeling, she went
ng to where Baby was sleeping;
tie dropped beside the bed; she kiss
ID Baby's hand, thrown out. Then she /
IL her eyes against the counterpane a
I'm made VOW never to desert-Bat
INT She would as soon have thought
Sc, promising never to desert her own hea
er, She promised never, never to des
in, Tom. She had n vague fear that