The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-02-18
When she was eighteen, her father
WAS found dead at his desk. At once

was found dead at his desk. At once
all the family income was cut off.
Tom, at the time, was studying book
4 keeping, and in assisting his father had
had some practice in the work.
! You must ask for fathers place,
Tom," Ivah said.
1t was the day after the burial. Tom
had his face in his hands, the picture oi
abandon. He raised his head. His
eyes were swollen and red with weep
ing.
| - don't see how you can bear to
think of such things in our great sor-
row." said Tom. II want nothing but
to lie down and die"
Ivah's face was white and pinched,
but her eyes seemed looking away to
the guiding star of duty.
But, dear" she said, eve have got
to 90 on living. /: would be selfish
and cowardly for either of US to die and
leave the other. And then, too, there
is our baby. There is just one way.
Tom; we must find where our duty
lies and 60 to meet it. Our duty is to
live for each other and for baby. To do
ehis we must work. We can't afford to
lose day from work. We owe for the
coffin in which our dear father is
buried. l have been making plans. /
have discharged Mrs. McGill. 1 can
take care of baby and do our house
work, and I can keep our table expenses
| to three dollars a week. But we haven't
even that to spend unless you can get
work. You ought to 60 right away
and ask for papa's place. If you prefer,
| I will 20 and ask for YOU"
Harris Brothers would not pay me
a thousand dollars" SAID Tom.
"Of course not" said Ivah. You're
new hand. Perhaps they would not
pay you anything at the start; but it
would be much if you could even secure
"They need an experienced book
keeper I could not do their work. "
Tom said, dejectedly.
Il could help you, Tom," said lvah,
[ cheering. You could bring the books
home and we could work together at
night after get baby asleep"
I'VE no idea that they would give me
a trial"
MAY 60 ask them to-"
Toms silence gave consent, and Ivan
went.
Her father had been in the employ of
| Harris Brothers tor twenty-three years.
They were kindly disposed toward her
and Tom; they would like it if he could
take the fathers place; they hardly
thought he could fill it. Yes, they were
willing he should try.
Tom was beginner; his brain was
| clouded with sorrow; his heart ached.
| He felt such y dread Of the future, with
its sudden responsibilities. that h. must
have failed but for IIah's words Of
courage and hand Of help.
In the most desponding mood, when
he was ready to let 60, to let fate come
on, there was the sister, patient and
brave, to bring forward reserved forces
and save the day:
/ Never word had she about her own
| heartache; never h word of the hard
day passed at washing or ironing or
baking, with baby's hindering little
hands to be keptaway from the scalding
water or the hot irons or the swelling
dough.
Never a word heard Tom of the
sweeping-day, when she went into every
corner OF the desolate house, discover
ing reminders of the dear father, which
brought sudden spasms of pain, to be
borne alone. Not word did he hear
of the backaches and arniaches in sooth-
ing fretting baby to her afternoon nap;
nothing of the lonely time when she sat
in the silent, silent house, wearily PATCH
ing and darning; nothing Of the drudg-
cry over the hot stove, Of the dish-wash-
ing, of the mopping.
She planned her work and hurried it
along to keep the unpleasant out of
| TOMS sight and hearing.
Returning at nj ght he would find baby
in bed, having had her bread-and-miik
supper.
The little round table would ne set,
looking CHEEKY and inviting with clean
linen. clear glass and polished silver,
while, perchance, flowers OF the mantle
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
ment as to his trial.
" uCu dG ulSllI L oil OIL u
| tinized his face, her heart full ct per-
ceiving that it was not very cheerful.
She refrained from asking questions,
leaving him to choose his time and
manner of &C communicating the result.
Harris Brothers offer me the place
at forty dollars a month";" he said, after
supper.
how thankful! I've felt all the time
that God meant to take care of us" 1vah
said. and then she broke down and
cried.
but if can do the work of the
place." said Tom, grumbling, 6 don't
see why / shouldn't have the wages
which belong to it. I've about decided
to tell Harris Brothers that / will not
work for half-pay."
"Oh, don't, Tom, DON'T" 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 higher
salary. We can manage we'll with forty
dollars. I find new ways Of economic
ing every day"
On and on she went. TIL Tom was
persuaded to close with Harris Brothers
offer. ss4a
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 ben ding
tover 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 "om?" Ival
said. cuddling close up to him. owe
can begin to lay by something for baby's
education"
II 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 sisters heart beat in dreadful way
"The fact is, I've been waiting for :
rise in my salary TOTO 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. suppose I ought to have tolt
you before. 1'm-I'm engaged to ge
married"
She gasped, "Oh, Toni" and thel
broke into tears.
| Ter, x,oxod nk lon ar,nt;nr