The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-06-10
MIR. wILToNs OFFICE BOY.

| 1t was now time for the office 1
close, but Robert Harvey, the offic
boy, still fingered, though the book
keeper had told him he could 2
home.
You don't seem to be in a hurr
this afternoon, said the bookkeepel
do you think | could see BIZ
Wilton before / go?"
What is your errand ?" asked til
boOkkeeper, curiously.
Il thought as | had been here
year to-day, he might be willing 4
raise my salary
Il advise you not to ask, said th,
bookkeeper, Struggling his shoulder
Business is only so SO, and you ar,
fortunate not to be cut down"
But Robert had a special reason
for preferring his request. His lit
tie sister was sick and his mother
who derived some income from max
ing vests from a city tailor, was IN
able to do as much as usual, and
the result was that they were hard
pressed for money to buy absolute
necessaries. Then again, in a week
the monthly rent came due. Il was
but six dollars, but that seemed q
large sum to Robert and his moth
er.
Mr.. Wilton sat in his counting
room writing when Robert entered.
what can | do for you, Robert ?''
he asked.
Mr.. Wilton, it is year to-day
since I entered your service"
The merchant began 10 frown. Al
Ytf,es"B Br bbfl aniiGi mated mbat was COM
ceeded twenty thousand dollars, but
still they were two thousand dollars
behind the profits of the previous
wear. This annoyed him. for he
had confidently expected to do bet
ter.
2What then p he asked curtly.
Il thought you might be willing
to nav me a little more salary.
How much do | pay you now Z?
Three dollars and a half a week
"A very fair salary for these times,
Robert. The fact is. business has
fallen off, and | have not done as
well this year by couple OF thous'
and dollars as / did last year.
"Then you can't raise me 7" asked
Robert, in a tone Of disappointment
Certainly not. Most men are
cutting down wages won't dc
that, but can't advance you. In
another year if things are favorable
l will pay you something more
Another year, 1t was long time
to wait when money was needed sc
much. Robert felt that there wa:
no more to be said. and he turned
awav slowly. his face clouded BY
sadness. Mr.. Wilton watched hin
az he went out, and felt ittl'
twinge of regret.
IT wouldn't have cost me muei
to nav him a dollar week more
oniy fifty two dollars y he thought
"Still must consider the principa
of the thing. Why should be re
ceiye more when lam getting less =?
Mr. Wilton might have consider
cd that To him a small diminutio
of his large income meant no loss 0
comfort. or even luxury. while wit
Robert il is very different. He va
not a hard hearted man. but he wa
disposed to take a selfish view
whatever affected his own interest
The sight OF poverty and privaiio
made him uncomfortable, and b
therefore made it a practice OF shul
ting his eyes and ignoring them.
did occur to him that Roberts fam
Nv was probably poor, and he kne
that three dollars and half woul
not 20 very far but, OF course.
said TO himself. 1t isn't TOR me
worry myself about how other pc
ple manage. should have n
hands full if / went into that bus
ness Robert went home slowl
He would have hurried if he hs
good news to impart, but HE app
7 cation had been fruitless- At Ia
{ he reached the humble dwelling
: the outskirts of the city in whi,
! his mother and sister lived. Il
{ mother opened the door for hiI
She noticed the sadness of his loo
"You tailed in your application
she said anxiously.
ayes, mother. Mr.. Wilton sa
business was not as good as ye
ago, and | must wait another yes
III he had only sdded dollar
week to my pay it would have
most paid the rent
Mrs. Harvey sighed.
@WeIl,n she said. "there is no he
: for it. If Alice RECEIVERS her heal
soon, l can do more work for I
tailor, but at present she takes
great deal of my time"
How is che, mother r
@She feels little better. She !
been asking for oranges. but | b
not a cent to spare, and the p'
:. child must go without
Mother" said Robert decided
;. ut is very evident that I must es
r. 3. more money. After supper | 60
Of q and see if can't pick up q III
). money fer extra work.
y J: What extra work can you find
ss =. do. my SON p
:. Il don't know, but ! can i