Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-01-08

couSil, SlIoHsIy aufiSlib hih W IuIoN
up his situation and "see how old Milf
hin would get along without him.
Aud Charlie before seeing Mabel, was
ready to follow his advice.
He knew that Will would think him
mean to remain upon half salary. and
vet Mabel was right. Half a loaf was
better than no bread.
And while Charlie Castleton was
thus weighing the rros and cons Of his
decision, Mr.. Mihlin was listening tc
the counsel of his old friend and chum
the senior partner of the firm that had
been Gardner II Milllin, and who
though he had retired yeals before, was
still the friend and frequent advisor of
his former partner.
at is mistake, Mifllin," he said.
"Yon had better send yomg Castleton
about his business and engage an en-
tirely new book keeper. You will find
that half pay means half service, mark
my word"
'But l might search C-from end
to end and not fnd clerk competent
to take his place"
"Then pay him full salary"
81 cannot do it unless l reduce the
number of salsemen, and then L am
short. handed now. There is but one
way to keep my head above water.
You see Clark's failure involves me
very heavily, and"
And the worried man of business
entered into explanations of his diff
culties not necessary to repeat here.
It. touched Charley Castleton very
deeply when entering the counting
house to announce his determination
to remain in his old position to see the
face of his employer brighten. And as
Charlie spoke the large eyes grew
brighter, ,and he smiled pleasantly as he
said,-
"Thauk you, Charlie. 1t would
have caused me serious embarrassment
to lose you, and am heartily glad chat
you will stay. trust you will not
long be obliged to take small salary
but circumstances compel me to econ
omize."
"You haze been a kind employer to
me for ten years." replied Charlie,
land if am really of any more value
to you than another would be in my
place | will not desert you" :"
And looking into the careworn face
that trouble was marking more deeply
than age, Charlie resolved to serve
Mr.. Mifflin more faithfully in his per-
plexities than in his more prosperous
days.
IL was not long before the old gen.
tleman felt the sympathy of his young
clerk and looked to him as h3 never
did before, for'advice as we'll as for SER
vice. lie admitted him to confident ial
relations, explained to him the difficult
ties caused by the failure of other
firms, some heavily indebted TO the
firm of Joel Miffln, others upon whom
he had depended for goods obtained up
on credit.
Day by day as the harv, trying win
ter wore away the two friends grew
faster, and so far from lesseni1g his
work Charlie found himself willingly
lifting some of his employers burdens
upon his own shoulders.
He gave more time to business,
and he was gaining an insight into it,
of which an opportunity had never
been given him.
And Mabel, at home, was bravely
taking her share Of the dimi nished loaf
with a smiling face and cheerful
heart. AS far as might be she kept
from Charlie kno Wedge of the domes
tic economies, but some of them were
apparent.
The woman whose competent aid de
manded high wages was dismissed, and
half grown girl was engaged to mind
the babies while Mabel cooked and
washed and ironed and sewed, meeting
difficulties with courageous heart
She had never been a drone in the
worlds hive having teen busy little
dressmaker before Charlie Casteton
won her heart and took her to preside
over his pretty home.
But for three years Of her married
life she had been much petted, and
there were many pleasures to be put a.
side, many dollars well weighed before
they were spent.
1t was with heart full Of pardona
ble triumph that the young couple al
the end of the year of reduced pay
found they were still out of debt ant
had not touched the nest egg in the
bank.
You see, Charlie, we made the hal
loaf go round" said Mabel, as they
went carefully over the years expense
book.
"There are no crumbs" he said,
with a rather weary face.