The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-10-23
CHESTER HILTON's WIFE.

II 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.
. am very sorry, Chester" said the
senior partner of the firm of Gardner,
Whitheek & Co., ''to be obliged to tell
yon 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
Tor 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-
tionP 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.
lhe outlook was certainly dark one.
lie usually rode home in the horse cars,
rs 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
a face illuminated by sight of ''papa,"
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 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.
Goldieg' she asked stDaisy and have
been watching for you for ever and ever
so long
"The cars were crowded and it is so
hot that walked home.''
ut has been terribly hot all day.
she replied. ''Baby has suffered so
much with the heat. Do you know,
Goldie' (the pet name she always called
him II 1t were not for leaving you,
would think seriously of going to Fern
SIDE Springs. Mrs. Hunter says this is
such siekly season for babies, and
Goldie, saw the little white hearse
pass the house twice to-day"
You wouldn't leave me alone. dar-
ing, he said. "You know am such
apoor stick if left to myself. But per-
maps it will be best for you to 60"
| would only have to buv two new
dresses and some extra things for baby.
hoard is not very high there, Mrs. Hun
Ter tells rae. If it were not for baby
ana the siekly season, would not think
Oi gong. You know, dear Goldie, we
couldn't live without baby" AS the
mother spoke, she hugged the little,
mhlte-robed child tightly up to her
Dosom. Il am so afraid of losing her.
Alter the baby had gone to sleep, the
iather and mother went out on the
pofch aud sat down in the cool evening
-: S.' IL was dusk, and the husband put
US arm around his wife and drew
ler SO close to his side that she rested
ncr mead upon his shoulders. He was
lhlnking whether it was best to tell her
:. nus dismissal. A number of times the
saa @vs1s came to his lips. but he as often
SascAed ~ them. No, he could not tell
r.,l.oa! lou don't feel as well as usual.
e,.sa. v.aie' she said. ''You are unusually
s 5nee. Doos your head ache?" As she
bOsc sue placed her soft hand upon
ana '91enead easIa and passed it lightly back
pf,aas RON aofen. IN see if have magnetic
ss;S rSSsr IS enough to drive it away,H she
salo langAingly $40