Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-07-18
A TRUE WIFE.
What Sho Did to Tide Her EIus-
band Over Hard Times.

1t was at the clcan OF day in mid
summer Chester Hilton was putting
on his hat, preparatory to leaving tho
office, whom his employer asked him to
stop to tho desk for fow moments. 81
am very sorry, Chester" said tho senior
partner of tho firm Of Gardner, Whitbeck
& Co., ito be Obliged to toll you that we
can not afford to kccp you after this
month. AS you aro aware, our business
has fallcn off to such a degree that we are
scarcely making our running expenses
Chester Hilton received this an
nouncemcnt in cool collected manner.
lie had been expecting crash for two
months past Nevertheless, at heart he
felt depressed and anxious. 1t was just
tho season Of year when business was at
its lowest cbb, Whore and when would
he get another situation? lie had moth
ing put by to live on during the time he
might bo out OF employment. His
salary had boon only sufficient to pay
his family expenses Tho outlook was
certainly dark one IIo usually rodo
home in tho horse cars, rs ho lived ut
tho outskirts of tho city, whero rents
were moderate, but that night niclSlo
looked as largo to him rs silver dollar.
1t was lator than usual when he
got homo, and, as he drew near tho gate,
black-cyed baby, with faco illumi.
mated by sight OF papa" toddled ont
to mcot him. In her haste she would
have fallen upon tho broken plank over
which she picked her way had not her
father reached out his arms just in time
to save her. lie held her tightly to his
breast and bending down kissed tho
baby face and whispered: ''Papa's lit
tlo darling"
A girlish figure at the open gate, as
he passed through lifted up her fresh,
young, happy face to be kissed, too.
What mado you so late tonight,
Colder sho asked. daisy and have
been watching for you for ever and ever
30 long"
"The cars were crowded, and It was
SO hot that walked home"
ut has been terribly hot all day."
shc replied, baby has suffered SO
much with tho heat. Do you know,
Goldie (the pct name she always called
him), II 1t wcro not for leaving you,
would think seriously Of going to Form
side Springs. Mrs. Hunter says this is
such sickly season for babies, and
Goldie | saw littlo white hearso pass
the house twice to-day"
"You wouldn't leave mo alone, dar.
ling" ho said. you know I'm such q
poor stick If left to myself But per-
haps it will be best for you to CO."
After the baby had gonc to slcop, tho
father and mother went out on the porch
and sat down in tho cool evening air. 1t
was dusk, and tho husband put his arm
around his wifo and drew hor so close to
his sido that she rcstod her head upon
his shoulder lIo was thinking
whether il was best to tell her Of his
dismissal. A number OF times the
words came to his lips, but he rs often
checked them. No, no could not
Tho month soon passed, and Chester
Hilton was out of business. No situa-
tion had been found, and tho outlook
Beemed darker than ever. So many
business houses had reduced their
forces But every day ho went off at
tho samc hour in tho morning and re-
turned the samc time in the evening.
His wife supposed no was still at his old
place, for he had not yet mado up his
mind to toll her Surely he would and
another place, and then 1t was time
enough to let her know he had left Gard
nor, Whitbeck & Co. Ono morning, q
fortnight after his dismissal, Mrs. Hill
ton had occasion to go down town, and
shc stepped into the Office to sec her hus-
band. As she camo into the door, Mr..
tiardner looked up from his ledger and
Iado her good morning."
MY husband is out | SUPPOSE she
said, looking toward the empty desk in
tho corner
"lour husband?" replied Mr. Gard.
ncr. "Ho has not been in this morn.
ing
Mot been IMP" shc exclaimed.
You know, Of course, that Chester Is
not In my employ now," said the gen.
tleman. "IIe has not been with us this
month" A vague anticipation of somo.
thing wrong filled tho wife's heart, but
she was reassured by hearing the senior
partner say: "We esteem your husband
very highly, and wcro sorry to dispense
With his services, but we werd obliged