The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-06-18
How Jack Simpson
Found Promotion.


HnON'T you Ike meat now, dnddy2'
IL Jack Simpson smiled YEARLY at
the question of his little daughter,
Beatrice. and she pralOcd on without
waiting Tor an an8wcr. "'CAuso you
never have any, YOU know, and there's
hardly even anythia' in the cupboard
now. | wants some milk for supper,
please, mamma, let me have some
milk
mo. no, dcaric," said Mrs. Simpson,
a very young and handsome looking
mother; here, have this piece OF bread
and n drink Of water Come, there's n
good girl; | must take you off to bed
nov"
Dcarie was put 10 bed, and when they
were lett alone in the Kitchen together
deartes father and mother looked car-
ncstly into each others eyes, Then
dearte's father pushed a large knife
across the table and held out both his
hands.
Cut 'em OFT" he said, hoarsoly; no
body wants en-. There's nothing for
'em to do. Gut EN- Off"
Don't, Jack, don't" she pleaded;
"work viii come and We shall pull
round all right. For my sake, do moth
ing desperate, Jack. Don't give up
hope; you will get work"
And where shall | get work. he
retorted. bitterly. "They have done
with me at Fairlow's and I've tried
and tried Heaven knows how I've
tried! And I'm getting tired Of being
told there's nothing for me: I'm tired
of seeing you getting paler and thin
ner'-she moved closer to him and ran
her fingers through his thick brown
hair-'and I'm tired of hearing our lit
lie girl ask for things, little bits o
things, We cant give TO her, Some"
thing will have TO be done quickly, |
cant understand Holder, he plays me
on and off, half promises, and then
says he cant start anyone for weeks.
And he smiles when he says it. Smiles
Just like he did when he gave me a
weeks notice with profound regrets,
as he put It, at Fairlow's having no
further use for my services. hate
him when | think of It. Only ycstcr.
day begged of him to find me some
thing to do, IL only for the sake OF you
and the little 'uu. lie shook his head
and said he was sorry. and smiled!
Sometimes | think-why, what's the
matter, Jess?"
"NGthing. dear; why do you ask"
Your cheeRs--they are red as pop
pies. They remind me Of the old days.
All. jess. dear, what a sad mistake you
made to marry d mere Workman
"A very sad mistake indeed she
said. as She contradIcted the words
with q kiss,
You might have been Mrs. Who
kRows-who, he went on, half serious,
half chatting.
"I'd rather be Mrs. I-know-who.' she
answered, returning his fond look with
interest; and then, timidly, Jack
dear, | can't bear to see you looking So
wild and reckless as you did a short
time ago. A little patience viii surely
bring us into the sunshine again
Think how you have s%triven, with ny
poor influence, to lift yourself out o.
the rut, Why. here's Mr.. Bernaby tt
see YOU. | wonder II he brings gooi
news"
But Mr.. Bernaby was In no hurry Il
disclose news Of any kind whilst sh,
was present, so she left them to them
selves. Her departure was %evidentl,
q relief 10 the visitor, lie ncrvousl,
placed four shillings on the corner 0
the table and said that he was sorr.
he would not be bringing any more re
lief from the club II had been stOpisI
at the last meeting. Couldn't say a
10 how his mates had voted agains
the small weekly subscription they ha
been giving. Couldn't say that he like
the Job OF carrying such disagreeabl
news. Could say as how they was q
sorry, and that they hoped he woul
soon get another place. Could say a
how 1t was no use trying Hodde
Could also say AS how Holder VI
slow, but he was sure and he was cur
ming. and surely Jack Simpson had nj
forgotten that he, a mere sub-forema'
had carried OF the lovely Jessie Revil
from under his very managers nos
Could say as how It was a very mast
raw evening for anyone to be out. al
that he wished him a very sood-nigh
And SO, when she came In, she -four
Jack still brooding over his wrong
with a nav light Illuminating the
cause, and wandering nearer al
nearer towards the abyss OF despa.
less" he said, eagerly. y rt.nemb