Middletown transcript., 1901-01-19

himp eff l were getting the salary ne
is!' were heard. His sensitive and gen
erous nature was deeply wounded by
these remarks, and this little incident so
unnerved him that he made an error that
resulted in considerable loss to the
house.
Before going home, he was summoned
to conference with the senior partner
With stern, yet kindly voice he said
"Harry, you are as dear to me as an
, own son would be, and far more than
regret the loss of money that your blum
der has caused us do regret the loss OF
my confidence in you. I think you
must have some secret trouble, for you
do not act like yourself,-you who are
usually so wide awake to the interests OF
our house. 1 fear you are risking your
money in some unwise speculations, and
are trying to get rich too fast; for l was
near when you refused to contribute to
the fund for the little cash-girl. We
have given her leave of absence with
salary. Always be humane, my boy; IL
pays in this world, and the next"
During this speech Harry's face was a
study. Modification and self-loathing
were written there, and he said with an
effort:
"For reasons that cannot explain, !
did not have the money today to give to
the little girl as 1 should like to have
done; and as 1 read the looks of con-
tempt on the faces of those around me it
so unnerved me that 1 could not fix my
mind on my work.
The old man grasped the hand OF the
younger one and said, heartily.
"Harry, my boy, pardon me. l have
misiudged you"
When he reached home that night, In
stead of the usual abundant repast, there
was nothing on the table but graham
bread and milk. He looked at his wife
in amazement, and said.
"Why, Grace, what does this meani
Is this all you have to eat?'
eyes, Harry, was reading today that
the wheat from which this bread is made
contains all the elements necessary fol
the support of life, and thought with
milk to make it slip down easily, We
might get along very nicely. 1t is al
that want tonight"
"Confound it, GraceP' said he, an
grily, "this is carrying your ideas O.
economy too far. will go down to the
restaurant and get my dinner" Ht
started for the door, but recollected sud
denly that he had no money; and rathel
than ask her for any, seated himself a
the table and forced down the bread ant
milk, of which he was not particular!
fond. He took refuge behind his news
paper, and maintained a gloomy silenc'
all the evening.
The next morning, with determined
look in his eye he said.
"Now, really, Grace, you cut a fellow
too short must have dollar NOR
today.
"Why, Harry" said she, clinginl
tightly to her purse, "what for?'
ooh, thunder! I don't know what for,
snapped he. "Give it to me without ST
many questions"
every well, Harry; but 1 don't se'
why you need get SO angry when yol
have asked me that question several hun
dred times since our marriage" H,
: waited to hear no more, but darted ou
of the house. Her words cut deeply
and he began to understand his wife
, tears and to realize the servitude S h
, had been in. He resolved that he woult
never ask her for another cent, but &C
cept meekly what she gave him. HI
looked wistfully at the Turkish bath
| rooms as he passed, and thought hov
much good bath would do him in nerv
GUS conditIon,-how it wonld tone up hi
) system and enable him to better pc rforn
his work.
Just then he saw Adolhpus Smythe, {
dudish youth, approaching. He was I
fellow whom he actually despised, ant
one of whom, at any other time, h'
would not have asked favor; but 81
great was his fear of being placed il
some embarrassing situation during tha
day, that he touched him on the shouldel
and said, cordially.
"Glad happened to meet you, Dolph
for want to ask favor of you,-lucky
for me, but unlucky for you"
Adolphus stared at the unwonted famil
iarity.
'Why, weally, Hawy, what can dc
for your"
"Well. to tell the truth, l just want tc
borrow dollar. have unfortunately
left my money at home today"
"Why, weally, Hawy, would be glad
| to accommodate you, at my exchequer
is low."
With curt "Good morning" Harry
hurried on, exclaiming, "Blamed idiot!
1 know he had it in his pocket all the
time"
He reached the store with aching
head, but worked heroically all day with
set teeth and every nerve strained to the
utmost. At six o'clock he joined the
throng of employees and started home
ward. He was about to signal a car
when he felt in his pocket and found the
treasured ten-cent piece was gone! Five
miles from home without money, after