The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-12-13
CHESTER HILTON'S WIFE.

1t was the close of day in midsum-
mer. Chester Hilton was putting on
his hat, preparatory to leaving the
Office, when his employer asked him
to step to the desk for a few moments.
~ am very sorry, Chester" said the
senior partner of the firm of Gardner,
Whitbeck & Co, ito be obliged to tell
you that we can not AFFORD to keep you
after this month. AS you are aware,
our business has fallen off to such de-
gree that we are scarcely making our
running expenses.
Chester Hilton received this an
nouncement in a cool, collected man
ner He had been expecting crash
for two months past. Nevertheless, at
heart he felt depressed and anxious.
1t was just the season of year when
business was at its lowest ebb. Where
and when would he get another situa-
ton? He had nothing put by to live
on during the time he might be out of
employment His salary had been only
sufficient to pay his family expenses.
The outlook was certainly dark one.
He usually rode home in the horse cars,
as he lived at the outskirts of the city,
where rents were moderate, but that
night nickel looked as large to him as
silver dollar. 1t was later than usual
when he got home, and, as he drew
near the gate, black-eyed baby, with
face illuminated by sight of papa, u
toddled out to meet him. In her haste
she would have fallen upon the broken
plank over which she picked her way
| had not her father reached out his arms
| just in time to save her. He held hel
| tightly to his breast, and bending down,
kissed the baby face and whispered
"Papa's little darling" A girlish fig.
ure stood at the open gate, and as he
passed through lifted up her fresh
young happy face to be kissed, too.
"What made you so late tonight
COLDER she asked. ''. aisy and have
been watching for you for ever and evel
so long"
1.-The cars were crowded and it is 81
hot that / walked home
she replied. "Baby has suffered 81
much with the heat. Do you know
'Goldie' Ohe pet name she always called
him), if it were not for leaving you,
would think seriously of going to Fern
side Springs. Mrs. Hunter says this i
such sickly season for babies, an,
Goldie. | saw the little white hears
pass the house twice to-day"
"You wouldn't leave me alone, dar
ling" he said. "You know am sucl
a poor stick if left to myself. But per
baps it will be best for you to 60"
| would onlv have to buy two ney
dresses and some extra things for baby
Board is not very high there, Mrs. Hun
ter tells me. If it were not for bah
and the sickly season, would not thin
of going. You know, dear Goldie. w
couldn't live without baby" AS tn
mother spoke, she hugged the little
whte-robed child tightly up to he
bosom. 81 am so afraid of losing her,
she said.
After the baby had gone to sleep, tn
father and mother went out on tn
porch and sat down in the cool evenin!
air. 1t was dusk, and the husband pu
his arm around his wife and dre1
her so close to his side that she restet
her head upon his shoulders. He wa
thinking whether it was best to tell he
of his dismissal. A number of times tn
words came to his lips, but he as ofte
checked them. No. he could not tel
her.
''You don't feel as well as usual
: Goldie," she sa' d. "You are unusuall
quiet. Does your head ache?" As sh
spoke she placed her soft hand upo
his forehead and passed it lightly bac
and forth. Il IL see if have magnet
power enough to drive it away" sh
said laughingiv.
"You are good Little wife, darling,
said her husband, taking her GIRLS
face in his hands and lifting it up wher
he could kiss it. "A good little wife.
1t VIII be quite expensive to have |
: go to ternsde. viii it not?" she asket
! Rather lpensive, he replied, 'bt
7 I'll inquire about it to morrow"
Q The month soon passed, and Chestt
I Hilton was out of business. No stu;
. ton had been found. and the outloo
I seemed darker than ever. So man
: business houses had reduced their force
But every day he went of at the san
hour in the morning and returned ii
same time in the evening. His wi
supposed he was still at his old plao
for he had not vet made up his mind |