The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-28

while, perchance, flowers on the man.
tel frightened 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.
At length the anxiously-expected day
came when Tom was to hear the judg-
ment as to his trial.
When he returned at night, Ivah
scrutinized his face, her heart full at
perceiving that it was not very cheer
full. She refrained from asking ques-
tons, leaving him to choose his time
and manner of communicating the re-
suit:
Harris Brothers offer me the place
at forty dollars month";" he said, after
supper.
80 Tom, how glad we ought to be!
how thankful! I've felt all the time
that God meant to take care of u.s."
Ivah said, and then she broke down and
cried.
"But if 1 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 1 will not
work for half-pay."
80, don't, Tom, don'tr' cried Ivah,
taking alarm. "Think how much it is
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 a 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
persuaded to close with Harris Brothers
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 amuse-
ment or by call.
Before the year was out, Toms salary
had been raised to seventy dollars a
month, and few months later, he an
nounced that, at last, he was to have
one thousand dollars.
"Isn't it good, dear TomP' Ivah
said, cuddling close up to him. eve
can begin to lay by something for
baby's education"
81 can't spare much money!" said
Tom, with his eyes downcast. There
was silence for moment, and then he
went on with some words that made his
sister, heart beat in a dreadful way.
1.-The fact is, I've been waiting for a
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, TomP What change?
You are not going away?'
"No. suppose ought to have told
you before. .Pm-I'm engaged to get
married"
She gasped, 80 Tomr' and then
broke into tears.
Tom was vexed at her emotion.
don't see why you need take on
at this rate" he said, with petulence.
should think you'd rejoice at any
happiness that comes into my life of
drudgery."
Yes" sobbed Ivah; &" but it was so
unexpected! Dear, dear Tom. am
glad of anything that will make you
happier. Of course, it has been very
dreary for you since father died, and
you have had to work hard"
She did not add, as many another
would have done, land have worked
hard; and your work, Tom, has taken
you out into the light and life and sun
shine; mine has tied me to the lonely
house. You have had time and heart
to make love and to win love-
She said nothing of this, but ask ed
the name of the woman who was to
take her place.
When Tom gave it, she said &C That
sounds like French name.'
She is of French parentage," Tom
admitted.
When do you expect to be mar
ried?'
"Next Wednesday,"
"And this is Saturday. fear can't
get things ready for you. Your room
ought to be repapered."
No matter about my room," said
Tom, with nervous haste, for he saw a
chance to say, in natural connection,
what he dreaded to say. 9" think we
had better go to Mrs. Hills for few
months, at least. l want Marie's hon.
eymoon, at least, to be pleasant. Baby's
getting to be such a bother. 1t would
make you so much more work, too"
he fastened to add, glad of so good an
excuse.
"What would the house be without
Tom?" cried Ivah's poor heart. Then,
too, the prudent little soul trembled at
the extravaganza of Toms plan.
g l don't see, Tom, how you can af-
ford to take rooms at Mrs. Hills. If
we divide, we double the expense;
don't see how we can manage on a
thousand dollars.'
Tom rose from one chair and flung
himself into another.
&C don't suppose we shall stay there
a year." he said, impatiently. "Of
course, l can't keep up two establish
ments; that isn't to be expected of a
man. Other young men marry, and set
up for themselves. You can't expect
that can stay tied up to you always,
Ivah. should think you might do
something to earn living. You can't
expect to go through life without work.
Why can't you teachP"
Ivah replied with low, pathetic voice,
g. 90