Smyrna times., 1885-02-04
Half A Loaf.

Chafle. Little Mabel CdStletOn said
this wistfully, Ler eyes, as she spoke,
wandering to the cradle, where two curly
heads were lying.
But when one has Lad the whole loaf,
May, one does not exactly relish the
half ratiOns You mention, said Charlie,
moodily. But his eyes followed his
wife's to the cosy nest Of the twin babies.
" 1t is bad time of the year to be out
of situation, said Mabel, after long
silence, land many whom we know are
idle. 1t would not lie very easy to find
employment now"
You really think 1 had better remain
with Mr. MifIlin?"
1 do. Tell me what Mr.. NIiflin said
to you"
The substance of what he said was
simply this: Business is so very dull
that he is obliged to curtaiI his expenses,
and he must discharge some of his clerks.
L have been with him ten years, and he
was pleased to say that am very useful
to him, and he is very unwilling to patr
with me. But he can give me but half
my present salary, though he promises
to raise it when business prospects
brighten. don't know what to do. We
are none too rich at my present salary"
g Yet you have saved something each
month. Beside dear, we have not tried
to be economical. There are many ways
in which could save"
And make Il perfect slave of YOUR
self"
Not bit of it, l lave plenty of
leisure time, now that May and Bella
can amuse each other. Come, Charlie
accept Mr.. Mifflius offer. You may hear
of something better, even if you remain
there; but don't throw yourself out of a
situation in the dead of Winter, for my
sake and the children's."
The last argument conquered. Charlie
knew too well that it would he useless to
look for a new situation. for the whole
town was echoing NJ. NIiflin's cry Of
hard times. The small nest egg i'll the
/ bank would soon melt away when it
became the sole support of four, and so,
kissing Mabel, lie promised to follow
her advice. But it cost her pride a very
sore wrench.
He had entered the employmentof his
present employer at seventeen, and
slowly steadily gaining favor by 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 accompanying
it would he ask Mabel to become his
wife, furnishing a pretty cottage home
from his savings, and giving her thor
oughly comfortable income for house
hold expenses. He was not exhavagant
but it pleased him to see his wife we'll
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, aud
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 remain
ing each month would have to be care
fully calculated to meet all the expenses,
leaving but little for pleasure or extrav-
agance in dress.
"Then what would Will say?"
Will Castleton was Charles cousin
who had been his life long companion
Together they had left the schoolroom
: for a business position. VIII entering
the grain store of Harvey & Russell Al
the same time Charlie had taken the
place in Mr.. Mifhins dry goods store
Shoulder to shoulder the young me1
had worked their way till this financia
crisis had brought all business men into
temporary difficulties of greater OF les
magnitude.
Will had expressed the warmest indig
nation at the proposal made his cousin
strongly advising him to throw up hi
| situation and "see how old Mifilm woul,
get along without him" And Charlie
before seeing Mabel, was ready to folloy
his advice.
: He knew that Will would think hin
mean to remain upon half salary, an,
vet Mabel was right Half loaf wa
better than no bread.
And while Charlie Castleton was thu
weighing the pros and cons of his decis
ion, Mr.. Mihiin was listening to til
counsel of his old friend and chum, tn
senior partner of the firm that had bee
Gardner & Miiflin. and who, though Il
l.o '''d wears before was still til
friend and frequent advisor of his formC
partner.
"It is mistake, NTifllm," he sail
!, "You had better send young Castleto
p about his business and engage an el
ID tirely new book Keeper You will fin
that half pay means half service, mar
y my word"
"But l might search c. from en-
to end and not find clerk competent
| take his place"
! "Then pay him full salary"
"a II cannot do it unless reduce Ill
y number Of salosmen, and then am shor
y handed now. There is but one way
Is keep my head above water. You sc
7 Clarks failure involves mo very heavily
Ond-"
And the worried man of busine,
, entered into explanations Of his diiilcu
ties not necessary to repent here.
1t touched Charlie Clstletou vor
/ deeply when entering tho counting
houss to announce his determination
remain in his old position to SEQ til
face of his employer brighten. And d
u Charlie spoke the large eyes gre
n brighter, and he smiled pleasantly ~ h
Y muid, -
v "Thank You, Charlie. 1t would hay
: ooueed ma aefiOus embarrassment 10 los