St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-11-01
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 few moments.
81 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 cool, collected man.
ner He had been expecting a 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,
rs he lived at the outskirts of the city,
where rents were moderate, but that
night a 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, a black-eyed baby, with
q face illuminated by sight of ..papa," p"
toddled out to meet him. In her haste
she would nave 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 her
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. "Eaisy and have
been watching for you for ever and ever
SO long"
"The cars were crowded and it is so
hot that l walked home"
lit has been terribly hot all day"
she replied. ''Baby has suffered so
much with the heat. Do you know,
sGoldie' (the pet name she always called
him), if it were not for leaving you, |
would think seriously of going to Fern
side Springs. Mrs. Hunter saws this is
such sickly season for babies, and
Goldie. | saw the little white hearse
pass the house twice to-day
s.You wouldn't leave me alone. dar-
ling" he said. "You know am such
q poor stick if left to myself. But per-
haps it will be best for you to go.'
would only have to buy two new
dresses and some extra things for baby.
Board is not very high there, Mrs. Hun
ter tells me. If it were not for baby
and the sicklv season, would not think
Of going. You know, dear Goldie. we
couldn't live without baby" AS the
mother spokaax she hugged the little,
vhite-robed Child tightly up to her
bosom. Il am SO afraid of losing her, -
After the baby had gone to sleep, the
father and mother went out on the
porch and sat down in the cool evening
air. 1t was dusk, and the husband put
his arm around his wife and drew
her so close to his side that she rested
her head upon his shoulders. He was
thinking whether it was best to tell her
of his dismissal. A number of times the
words came to his lips, but he as often
checked them. No, he could not tell
her.
..You don't feel as well rs usual,
Goldie," she said. ..You are unusually
nuiet. Does your head ache?" As she
smoke she placed her soft hand upon
lis forehead and passed it lightly back
and forth. IN see if lhave magnetic
power enough to drive it away" she
sid lspghingly,