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

''Half loaf is better than no bread,
Charlie" Little Mabel Castleton said
this wistfully, her eyes, as she spoke,
wandering to the cradle, where two
curly heads were lying.
"But when one has had the whole
loaf, May, one does not exactly relish
the half rations you mention," said
Charlie, moodly. But his eyes follow
ed his wife's to the cosy nest of the
twin babies,
''It is bad time of the year to be
out of situation" " said Mabel, after a
long silence, land many whom we
! know are idle. 1t would not be very
, easy to find employment now.'
"You really think l had better re-
main with Mr.. Miflln ?"
81 do. Tell me what Mr.. NIifln
said to you."
"The substance of what he said was
simply this Business is SO very dull
that he is obliged to curtail his, expen-
ses, and he must discharge some of his
clerks. have been with him ten
years, and he was pleased to say that
| am very useful to him, and he is very
unwilling to part with me. But he
can give me but half my present salary
though he promises to raise it when
business prospects brighten. l don't
know what to do. We are none too
rich at my present salary
yet you have saved something each
month. Beside, dear, we have not
tried to be economical. There are
many ways in which l could save"
"a nd make perfect slave of your
SELF"
mot bit of it. | have plenty of
leisure time, now that May and Bella
can amuse each other. Come, Charlie
accept Mr.. Mifflin's offer. You may
hear of some thing better, even if you
remain there but don't throw your
self out of situation In the dead Of
winter, for my sake and the chill
dren's."
The last argument conquered. Char.
lie knew too well that it would be use
less to look for new situation, tor the
whole town was echoing Mr.. Mifflin's
cry of hard times. The small nest egg
ia the bank would soon melt away
when it became the sole support of four
and so, kissing Mabel, he promised to
follow her advice. But it cost her
pride very sore wrench.
He had entered the employment of
| his present employer at seventeen, and
slowly, steadily gaining favor ty dint
of faithfully performing every duty, he
had won his way to the desk of head
clerk. Not until he had acquired this
position and the handsome salary ac.
comparing it woald he ask Mabel to
become his wife, furnishing pretty
cottage home from his savings, and
giving her a thoroughly comfortable
income for household expenses. He
Was not extravagant, but it pleased
him to see his wife well-dressed, to
give her an efficient servant, to have
his twin girls ever presentable, his table
WE'LL appointed. All this had been
easy enough upon his salary, and there
had been something added for three
years to the little bank fund.
But to do this upon half the present
income was simply impossible. House
rent must be paid, and the sum re-
manning each month would have to bt
carefully calculated to meet all the ex
penses, leaving but little for pleasure
or extravaganza in dress.
"Then what would Will say ?"
Will Castleton was Char lies cousin
who had been his life long companion
Together they had left the schoelroon
for business position. Will entering
the grain store Of Harvey & Russell a
the same time Charlie had taken the
place in Mr.. Mifflin'S dry goods store.
Shoulder to shoulder the young me
had worked their way till this financia
crisis had brought all businessmen int,
temporary difficulties Of greater or les
magnitude.
Will had expressed the warmest I'M
dignation at the proposal made hi