Huntsville gazette., 1889-06-08
vain to soften their hearts, we ran away

II had two hundred dollars of my
own. and she had seventy-fve cents in
blue bead purse of her own knitting
We went to board in quiet little house.
where they took few young clerks to
breakfast and tea, and had but one mar
ried couple besides ourselves. And |
went forth to get employment. ! found
it very much harder to get any than |
had supposed; but after awhile | was in
receipt of ten dollars a week, and felt
very independent. We We're extremely
happy, although we had been used to
luxuries of all sorts; and had resolved
never to appeal to my father for aid.
I'm fact, we got on nicely for more
than a year, when our troubles began
altogether We had left the boarding
house. and hired a room and kept house.
There was little baby in the family.
and naturally our small savings had
been taken from the bank. What with
housew ork and caring for the child,
my wife was beginning to look worn
and pale and little unhappy; and |
was taken i'll, and was too sick to leave
my bed for two weeks. | had written
to explain why / was absent. but when
was able to get to the office again |
found smother man at my desk.
1.-The manager was sympathetic, but
said it would be unjust to dismiss the
new clerk, and that he had no power to
add to the number.
"'However,' he said, if you can see
Mr.. --, he may do so. Two or three
more clerks are needed, but he's try
ing to get the work out Of those already
here. Now, if you state your case to
him, he may make an act of charity of
the affair, and do what he ought to do.
Business is often delayed for the want
of extra pens
81 did not like that expression, IAN
act of charity and preferred to find
another place, but there seemed to be
none for me. was in despair. Every
day | cut from the papers many adver-
tisements for clerks, and went to
the addresses given. | always found
myself one OF a crowd, and an unlucky
one. At last a terrible day arrived,
when we found ourselves penniless and
without credit. My wife had sold her
jewelry bit by bit; my watch was gone,
and we had not a cent
Then resolved to beard the lion in
his den-to ask Mr.. - to replace me
in his office. l strove to get an audi
ence all day, and at last stood on the
steps before which his carriage was
drawn up. l heard his step in the pas
sage. He appeared; | stepped forward.
".Mr. -, said ].
"'I haven't time to talk to you now,'
said he
'''It is matter of life and death, sir,
for me- | pleaded.
"'How?' said he.
"I am your discharged clerk l be-
gan.
"'T m aware of that, he replied, cold
ly. For good reason, doubtless
"I was ill., said l. No fault was
found with me- | returned to my
place, and
"'Of course it was filed he inter,
rupted. If young men would lead sober
lives, they would not be i'll. never
am
81 caught cold from broken pane
of glass in your office, sir, said l. My
wife and child literally have nothing to
eat. L
"'It will teach you to be more eco
nomical,' said he.
HE took out his pocket-book and
opened it. 1t was stuffed full Of bills
of large denominations.
"Is he going to offer me charity?'
thought !. My blood boiled, yeti said
to myself: He means it kindly, and for
Laura's sake / will not refuse.
but all he did was to take out a
small key, which he slipped into an
outer pocket of his overcoat.
"If you could give me employment,
SIR l said, 4 should be very grateful
"I can't create clerkships,' he said.
There are ten clerks in the Office, and
they must do my work
lie enIer6u the CdFfldSe. AS he Ulu
so l saw pocket-book lying on the
sidewalk-a plethoric thing, round with
its contents.
"'He has dropped it. said to my
self.
The instincts of gentleman
prompted me to pick it up and restore
it, but the hungry man, who knew his
wife was starving, covered it with his
foot The carriage drove off. l was
alone in that quiet side street. No one
saw me. | picked up the pocket-book,
thrust it into my bosom and took to my
heels like pickpocket.
Il reached my poor little home as
one might in a bad dream. l opened
the door, To my astonishment, table
was spread with a dainty repast My
wife, fearful, and yet smiling, dandled
the baby, and near the fire in the little
CRATE, which had been cold when left
home, stood two men-my father and
Laura's.
81 ST