Milford chronicle., 1883-06-15


ing. {" I guess we'd better go to N
house and have some supper. BY Il
way, my name-I don't know wheth,
you noticed the sign-is Baker-Ashmu
Baker.
The new clerk did not attach speci;
Importance to this announcement tha
he at last had something to do was S
great a surprise that he did not car
what his employers name might be
He did justice to a substantial supper
nevertheless, he had time to make oh
servations which satisfied him that Mrs
Baker was somewhat to blame for he
husbands apathetie, nerveless manner
Husband and wife We're about fifteel
years older than Milton Rislev. but
while the storekeeper seemed to hav,
outlived all youthful ways Mrs. Baker
appeared to be devoted to the ant OF
being glrlish-an artwhich impelled her.
as 1t does middle-aged married women
IN general, to contradict her husband
and array herself against him on the
slightest provocation.
The new clerk was offered the choice
OF room at the family abode. or a small
apartment at the rear of the store the
young man chose the latter. He devoted
himself so earnestly to his EMPLOYERS
business that within a few weeks MIR.
Baker felt justified in paying him small
salary, for the sales certainly increased.
But the harder the clerk worked. the
more the employer stopped at home
villagers who saw Milton Risley fire.
quently, said that Baker would be
great deal of man if it were not for one
thing-he was in love with his wife. who
had not heart enough to love any man.
much less one whom she was obliged to
see every day. There was nothing wrong
about her that any one knew of. but no
body in the town needed to be told that |
she was light headed thing who was
always conceiving sudden admirations for
men, from which she recovered as sud
denly, although not until she inflicted
upon her husband some new manifesto
lions Of neglect and contempt.
The new clerk had no sooner mastered
he shelves of the store and learned who
we're to be trusted and who should pav
'ash, than Mrs. Baker insisted on her
husband taking her on trip to the city
she did not care what city-so she
ould have something new to look at.
The Over-fond husband did as he was
sked, and spent more money than he
hould have done, and yet his wife was
ot happy; on her return she spent hours
the store in telling Milton of the dis
ppointment and annoyances she had
injured. Thereafter twice a year, she
adj to be taken to the city to be fitted
} garments of newer style than Bats c
orough's solitary dressmaker could v
Dpe to know Of And, as handsome Il
'esses We're of no use unless some one
'uld admire them, and as to the uncul- It
red Battsborough eye there was but 1"
tie difference between homemade
'wn and a triumph of a Cincinnati al
odiste; her husbands clerk was cclled g
ION to admire each new toilette in turn. w
lile Baker himself was expected to al
ing home to dinner every commercial il'
weller who reached the town at the y"
oper time.
Mrs. Baker rapidly became a more ex- as
nsive luxury than the business could
pport, but Risley exerted himself man nj
ly to save his employer from embar- 10
sment He made himself more agree tol
e to customers than ever; but there an
S no one to help him for Baker him
became more listless than in davs SCI
en- business was worse, and he spent DC
ch time in the rear room of that oneof 70
towns apOthecary shops to which ac.
ct gentlemen of bibulous tendencies
orted. Finally, and just as the bust sta
S needed all possible attention to save
owner from insolvency, Baker sick no
d and did not seem to care toget well. lio'
wife wrung her hands and said she
sure she did not know what to ans
an d every one believed her, so the wal
k, after spending his day in the store. ext
oted the night to taking care of his tho
'loyer But the sick mans health tror
not improve, and one night he said A
is clerk evel
Milton, can't last much longer. rob '
We been so honest with me that 1 .ne
to trust You more than ever-I ~ ~
you to take care Of my business for hlsl
wife. You can have a larger salary, eept
you won't let her waste as 1 have not
;. Will you do it?" she
said the clerk. s'You 'iSii
my only friend when was in 30 u
that
.ou are the only friend I have. said og II
ick man; GIVE thrown away all the
5 to make sure of her, but missed
You'll stick to this trust ?" LIE
$ close as would to anything Of the i
WI. told you once before you'd denc
ne as good as my word; nov, 1 tell Alice
0 again. Emn
Il believe you, whispered Baker. Sl,5O
there's one thing more / want to Try.
on. You know her ways; she's to sw
woman, Milton-don't ever doubt woul'
for a minute: but she hasn't os do s,
z head as she needs. After I'm crow
she may be more Aighty than ever. Fin
plainly to her, won't you? She'll men
you; she'll mind any man who ing.
.a,. I4rebo-1
er nusDand. Don't feel that you ''rage
kelly to hurt her feelings; she'll ing a