The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-02-19

YEARLY patching and darnlng; nothing
of the drudgery over the hot stove, of
the dish-washing, of the hopping. She
planned her work and hurried it along
to keep the unpleasant out of TOMS
sight and hearing. Returning at night,
he would find Baby in bed, having had
her bread-and-milk supper. The little
round table would be set, looking CHEEKY
and inviting with clean linen, clear
glass, and polished silver, while, per-
chance, flowers on the mantel brig
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 drudgery Of the
bookkeeping.
Atlength the anxiously expected day
came when Tom was to hear the judg-
ment as to his trial When he returned
at plight, Ivah scrutinized his face, her
heart full at perceiving that it was not
very cheerful. She RETAINED from asking
questions, leaving him to choose his
time and manner of communicating the
result.
Harris Brothers offer me the place
at forty dollars month"; be said, after
supper.
40 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 can do the work of the
place. said Tom, grumbling, II don't
see why 1 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"
"Oh, don't, Tom, don't!" cried Ivah,
| taking alarm. ssThink 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. find new ways of economic
ing every day.
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 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.n
Il 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 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, Tom? What change?
You are not going away?''
=" No. | suppose ought to have told
you before. I'm I'm engaged to get
married.
She gasped, go Tomb and then
broke into tears.
Tom was vexed at her emotion.
g don't see why you need take On at
that rate he said, with petulance. 81
should think you'd rejoice at any hap
plness that comes into my life of
drudgery.''
" Ies," sobbed Ivah; "but it was so
unexpected! Dear, dear Tom, am
glad of any thing 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, "And l 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 asked
the name of the woman who was to
take her place.
When Tom gave it, she said, "That
sounds like a French name.''
She is of French parentage," Tom
admitted.
"When do you expect to be mar
ried?"
"Next Wednesday,
"And this is Saturday. fear 1 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. sc 1 think we
had better 60 to Mrs. Hills for few
months, at least. I want Maries 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 ex-
cuse.
"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.
81 don't see, Tom, how you can
afford to take rooms at Mrs. Hills. If
we divide, we double the expense; l
don't see how we can manage on a
thOuSand dollars ;,