Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-01-18

ness confidence. ! could often suggest
a way out of difficulty that had not
occurred to him. and even when vas
not of actual use TO him il was re-
lief to pour out his troubles to some
one who was in full sympathy with
him"
"But you have worked very hard.
Charlie. / never saw you-so tired as
you often have been this year, and
your face is more careworn than it has
ever been.
"Well. IL is some comfort to know
that business prospects are growing
brighter. BY closest economy Mr..
Minlin has managed TO meet the obli-
| cations he was afraid would ruin him,
and there is a good lookout for the
coming year"
"Will he give you whole loaf yet,
/ Charlie?"
Not yet, think. Never mind. We
will not dcspond yet"
"Despond l guess not. am go-
ting to have some Of those crumbs you
were speaking Of next year. | have
learned some valuable lessons in saw
ing"
The second year was certainly not
an easy one TO Mabel. A wee baby, in
H1L4ston to the thrcc-ycar-old twins.
kcVt the mothers hands busy, while
there was no decrease in the household
work. Many articles Of clothing and
/ housekeeping, too, that lasted wen one
year, were past service in the second,
and it was not $50 easy 10 replace then.
often Mabel feared that the saving
for a rainy day must be broken in
upon, but she kept all such fears shut
up IN her own heart, and always had a
bright word of cheer for tired Charlie
when he came home.
She never told him that the late
breakfast that she had planned to let
the babi,a sleep while he ate his early
one, comprised none OF the little tempt
ing dishes Of his own meal, but was
literally bread and milk six mornings
ont Of the seven. She never let him
know that the reason she suggested his
lunch down town. 10 save the long walk
home. was. really 10 save the price Of
that meal toward the dinner, the dainty
little parcel he carried never costing
the price OF a regular meal for them
all.
She did not tell him that she was
cutting up her old dresses b clothe the
twin girls, and sewing busily every
leisure moment TO keep all the little
ones tidy.
And yet there came a day in June,
when six months Of the second year
were almost gone. when she spent the
last dollar ~ the weeks money while
the week was half gone. Charlie had
given her long before. some signed
checks to meet such an emergency. but
It was her pride to think that not one
Of them hal been presented at the
bank.
She took one from the desk where
they had lain So long and spread It out
before her. calculating. with Fuckers
on her pretty face, how small 4 sum she
could stretch over the necessary ey-
penscs.
Il hate 10 begin, she said half aloud:
"if once we break in upon that money
it will melt away like snow before the
sun"
There was no alternative hut debt.
and Mabel knew that Charlie would
never be willing 10 owe any man a
cent while he had a cent with which to
pay him. So. with great sigh. she
dipped the pen in the ink 90 fill out the
blank check. Before it touched the
paper. however, she paused. listening.
There was a step in the hall that was
not that Of the nurse or her charges. a
voice ringing out fun and clear. calling.
Mabel Where are you. May"
Here in my room." she answered.
"Oh, Charlie. what is it,"
For the face at the door was so
radiant that all care seemed to have
slipped from II forever"
Good news. May And yet-per-
haps | should feel sorrow, too. only !
did not know him"
"What are you talking about?"
did you read this mornings paper?"
Yes"
"Did you notice the death of Amos
Gardiner"
mo Is that the Mr.. Gardner who
used to be Mr.. MinIin's partner before
You went into the storey'