Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-11

well-to-do paternal uncle, possessed of a
remunerative business in Leeds.
He gave Herbert Balfour clerkship
in his counting house, and paid him a
salary of 25 shillings week. Out of
this the once well-to-do Oxonian had to
find himself in everything.
His uncle treated him as he treated
the other clerks, both in business hours
and out of business hours-in short, he
behaved toward him as though there
existed no relationship between them
whatever.
When Herbert entered his uncle's
office, he knew nothing whatever of
business matters, and the only advan-
tage he gained by being there was the
requirement of business habits, and a
slight knowledge of commercial trans
actions.
He bore his uncle's GOODNESS without
a murmur, "but felt it none the less"
So matters went on for two years, at
the expiration of which Herbert Balfour
took unto himself wife, his salary at
the time having been raised to thirty
shillings week.
His wife was the daughter Of a trades
man.
Surely one who had been brought up
as gentleman, with university educa-
ton, might have looked higher. Being
handsome, polished and fascinating in
manner, he might have gone in for an
heiress.
We'll, so he might, even though he
was only clerk in his cold-blooded
uncle's counting house; but if he had
aspired to anything so tempting, and
won it in the bargain, he could not have
gained worthier or better wife than
she who so willingly shared his lot in the
days of his impecuniosity.
Not long after his marriage he heard
of vacancy in London merchants
Office, where higher salary was Of
fered.
Like sensible fellow he applied for
it, and was lucky enough to be en-
gagged.
His uncle was wild with Indignation
when he found that Herbert was going to
leave him.
"I won't give you character, sir,
reared that outraged individual, "unless
it be for base ingratitude."
"I can do very well without it, thank
you, sir" answered Herbert. And so
he could, for the father of an old Oxford
friend Of his, at whose house he had
stayed in happier times, was the per-
sonage who had used his influence in
obtaining him his new and improved ap-
pointment.
Herbert Balfour, with his good wife
and their little baby boy, arrived In
London. For six years he remained with
his new employer. Happy years were
they, too, in spite of the very humble
way in which he was compelled to live.
His good wife and his little ones made a
perfect heaven of home.
But misfortune had not yet played
her worst trick upon the hero Of this
story.
His good-hearted and ever-consid-
crate employer died, and the business
passed into other and less pleasant
hands.
The old staff OF clerks, with two excep-
tons, was dismissed, and Herbert Bal
four had to look out for another situa-
ton. Times were bad, and the task was
AS one can easily imagine, he had not
saved much out of 60 week, with four
children and wife to provide for.
But it is hardly fair to include "the
wife " in the expense, since as far as she
was personally concerned she proved,
like all really good wives who are not
afraid Of soiling their fingers, the means
of saving him many expenses, which as
single man he was sure to have in
cured
Persevere as he would, he could not
obtain a fresh opening, and things be.
came as bad as they well could be with
him.
Through all the misery that poverty
brought with it Herbert Balfour had in
his beloved wife comforter of whom he
might Justly be proud. Indeed, had it
not been for her, Heaven only knows
how far desperation might have driven
him. Probably it would have been the
old, old story over again plunge in
the darkness of night from one Of the
somber bridges which span Father
Thames, and then
The dreanless sleep which lulls the dead.
For days nothing passed the lips of
any among the overty-stricken family
but dry bread. Butter became an I'M
known luxury. Their only shelter was
a garnet in Drury Lane.
Yes, it had become as bad as that.
Heaven help them!
Entering small bakers shop in the
vicinity of his lodgings, Herbert Balfour
was induced to confde his troubles to
the good-hearted proprietor. who Of
fered him a few shillings for going
through his books, which had been long
neglected.
"If you give me satisfaction" said
the sympathetic man of flour, 81 shall
be willing to recommend you to my fell
low-tradesmen, and perhaps the trifling
job I give you may lead to something
better"
Herbert thanked the baker with sim
cere gratitude, and straightway applied
himself to the accounts in question.
When the job was completed he re-
ceived prompt payment, which amount
ed to something over couple of sover-
eigns.
Making his way homeward through
the dull November evening, with his