Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-29
HALF 4 LOAF.

"Half q loaf il better than no bread,
Charlie"
Little Mabel Caselton said this visit
fully, her eyes as she spoke, wandering
to the cradle, where two curly heads
were lying.
"But when one has the whole loaf,
May, one does not exactly relish the
half rations you mention" said Charlie
moodIy. But his eyes followed his
wifcs to q cosy nest Of the twin ba-
bies.
at is bad time of year TO be out
Of situation" said Mabel after Il long
silence, land many Of whom we know
are idle. 1t would not be very easy to
find employment now"
"You think had better remain with
Mr.. Minln."
Il do. Tell me exactly what he said
to YOU"
"rhe substance of what lie said was
simply this: Business was SO very dull
that he is obliged TO cuTtail his ex
penses, and he must discharge some of
his clerks. | have been with him for
ten years, and he was pleased to say
am very useful to him, and he is
very unwilling to lose me. But ne can
give me but half my present salary,
though he promises to raise it when
business prospects brighten. | don't
know what to do. We are none too
rich st my present salary"
"Yot we've saved something each
month. Besides, dear, we have not
tried To be economical. There are
many ways in which could save"
"And make perfect slave of your
self"
"Not bit of it. | have plenty Of
leisure time now that May and Bella
can amuse each other. Come, Charlie,
accept Mr.. Miliin's offer. You may
hcnr of something better, even if you
rCmaiu there; but don't throw yourself
out of IL situation III the dead of win
ter, for my sake and the children's.
The last argument conquered. Char
lie knew too well that it would be III
most useless to look for new eitua-
ton, for the whole town was echoing
Mr.. MInlin's cry of hard times. The
small nest egg i'll the bank would soon
melt away when it became the sole
support Of four, and 30, kissing Mabel
he promised to follow her advice But
it cost his pride u sore wrench
lie mad entered the service Of his
present employer st seventeen, and
slowly, steadily gaining favor by dint
of faithfully performing every duty, he
had won his way to the desk of head
olerk. Not until he Ind acquired the
position and the handsome salary &C
eompanying it would he ask Mabel to
become his wife, furnishing u pretty
cottage home from his savings, and
giving her thoroughly comfortable
income for housekeeping expenses.
He was not cxtravagant, but it pleased
him tn see his wife we'll dressed, to give
her an efficient servant, to have his
twin girls ever presentat le, his table
well appointed All this had been easy
enough upon his salary, and there had
been something added for three years
to the little bank fund.
But u do all this upon half the pres
eut income was simply impossible
House rent must be paid and the sum
remaIng each month would have to
be carefully calculated to meet all the
expenses, leaving but little for cxtrava-
ganCe Of dress.
'"rhcn what whould viii say?"
VIII Casloton WAS Charities cousin,
who had been his life long companion.
Together they had left the school room
for n business position. VIII entering
the grain store of Harvey & Russell at
the same time Charlie had taken the
place in Mr.. Minln's dry good store.
Shoulder to shoulder the young men
had worked their way, until this tinan-
Cial crisis had hr light all business men
into temporary difficulties of greater or
less magnitude.
Will had expressed the warmest in
diguauou ut the proposal made Ivy his
COUSIN, strongly advising him to throw
mp his situation and ''see how old
Mnln would get along without him"
and Charlie, before seeing Mabel, WAS
quite ready to follow his advice.
He knew VIII would think him mean
spirited To remaiu upon half salary,
and yet Mabel WAS right. Half a loaf
is better than no bread.
And while Charlie CaStleton was thus
weighing the pros and cons Of his dccis
ion, Mr.. Milln was listening to the
counsel OF his old friend and chum, the
souior partner Of the firm tina, had
been Gardner 4 Mitlliu, and who,
though he had retired years before, was
still the friend and frequent adviser Of
his former partner.
at is q mistake he said.
"Nou had better send young Castle
ton about his business and engage an
entirely new hook-kcepcr. You will
fn3 that half pay means half service,
mark my word"
" But | might search C-frorn
end to end and not find clerk compe-
tent to take his place"
Then pay him full salary"
1" / cannot DO it unless reduce the
number of statesmen, and am short
handed now. There is but one way to
keep my head above water. You see
Clark's failure involves mo very heav-
lily and"
And the worried man of business en-
tered into explanations of his difficult
ties not necessary TO repeat here.
1t touched Charlie Castleton deeply
when entering the counting house to
announce his determination to remain
in his old position, to see the face of
his employer brighten. And rs Charlie
spoke the large eyes grew brighter and
he smiled pleasantly as he said
Thank you, Charlie. Itwould have
caused me serious embarrassment to
lose you, and | am heartily glad you
will stay. | trust you will not long be
Obliged to take small salary but cir
cumstances compel me to economics"
You have been kind employer to
me for ten years." replied Charlie,
"and if am really of any more value
to you than another would be in my
place will not desert you"
And locking into the careworn face
that trouble wa, marking more deeply
than age, Charlie resolved to serve Mr..
Mltfin more faithfully in his perplexi-
ties than in his more prosperous days.
1t was not long before the old gentle
man felt the sympathy of his young
clerk and looked to him as he never
did before, for advice as well as service
He admitted him IN confidential rals