The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-06-18
Mr.. Wiltqn's Office Boy
BY IIoRATIo ALGER, Jr.

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could go home.
"You don't seem to be in any
hurry this afternoon" said the
bookkeeper.
"Do you think 1 could see Mr.
Wilton before go?''
"What is your errand?" asked the
bOokkeeper, curiously.
81 thought as 1 had been here a
year to-day, he might be willing tc
raise my salary"
81 advise you not to ask" saie
the bookkeeper, struggling his
shoulders. Business is only so so
and you are very 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
making vests for a city tailor, was
unable 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. 1t was
but six dollars, but that seemed a
large sum to Robert and his mother
Mr.. Wilton sat in his counting
room writing when Robert entered
"What can L do for you, Robert?'
he asked.
"Mr. Wilton, it is year to day
since l entered your service"
The merchant began to frown.
Already he had anticipated what
was coming, He had just been fig
uring up his profits for the year.
They exceeded twenty Thousand
dollars, but still they were two
thousand behind the profits of the
previous year. This annoyed him,
for he had confidently expected to
do better.
"What then?' he asked, CURLY.
Il thought you might be willing
to pay me little more salary"
How much do l pay you now?"
"Three dollars and half a week, !"
"A very fair salary tor these
times, Robert. The fact is, bust
ness has fallen off, and have not
done as well this year by a couple
of thousand dollars as L did last
year"
"Then you can't raise mel" ask
ed Robert in tone of disappoint-
ment.
Certainly not. Most men are
cutting down wages. 1 won't do
that, but l can't advance you. In
another year, if things are favora-
bic, will pay you something more.
Another year! 1t was a long
time to wait when money was need
ed so much. Robert felt that there
was no more to be said, and he
turned away slowly, his face cloud
ed with sadness. Mr.. Wilton watch
ed him as he went out and felt lit
tie twinge of regret.
\ at wouldn't have cost me much
TO pay him a dollar a week more
only fifty-two dollars" he thought.
Still L must coneider the principle
of the thing. Why should he re-
ceive more when am getting less"
Mr.. Wilton might have consider
ed that to him a small diminution
of his large income meant no loss
of comfort, or even luxury, while
with Robert it was very different.
He was not hard-hearted man, but
he was disposed to take a selfish
view of whatever affected his Own
interests. The sight of poverty
and privation made.him uncomfOrt-
able, and he therefore made it a
practice of shutting his eyes and
ignoring them. 1t did occur to him
that Roberts family was probably
poor, and he knew that three dollars
and a half would not 60 very fa";
but, Eof course" he said to himself,
sit isn't for me to worry myself
about how other people manage. l
should have my hands full if ! went
into that business"
Robert went home slowly. He
would have hurried if he had good
news to impart, but his application
had been fruitless. At last he reach
ed the humble dwelling in the out
skirts of the city in which his moth
or and sister lived. His mother
opened the door for him. She no
ticed the sadness of his look.
"You failed in your applicationp
she said, anxiously.
Eyes, Mother. Mr.. Wilton said
business was not as good as q year
ago, and l must wait another year.
If he would have added a dollar a
week to my pay it would have al
most paid the rent
Mrs. Harvey sighed.
well" she said, there is no help
for it. If Alice RECEIVERS her health
soon 1 can do more work for the
tailor, but at present she takes up a
great deal of my time"
Glow is she, mother?"
"She feels little better. She has
been asking for oranges, but had
not a cent to spare and the poor
child must do Without"
Mother" said Robert decidedly,
sit is very evident that L must earn
more money. After supper 1 will
90 out and see if 1 can't pick up
little money for extra work"
What extra work can you find
to do, my SOM"
Il don't know, but 1 can look
about"
Robert did as he proposed, but
returned home after two hours I'M
successful.
''Never mind, mother" he said,
"Pl try it again to morrow. If my
employer won't raise my pay l will
see if in one way or another l can t
make up from fifty cents to dollar
a week"
But it will be too hard for you,
Robert"
''Pll risk it, mother"
The next day was Saturday. Ae-
cording to custom some of the bust
ness men in the place closed their
stores or offices at o'clock in the
afternoon to allow their clerks lit