Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-06-10
THE PITY OF IT.
BY MARY PEABODY SAWYER.

her gray eyes sharp with suppressed ex-
! element.
Il should be dreadfully mortified not
| to do as much for Elise as Charley does
| for his children. Well, not exactly as
much in every way, no, of course, we
really couldn't expect to have SO much
| jewelry, and as many new frocks. But
to have Elise look old-fashioned and not
have suitable things for her little par
ties-why II is positively embarrassing
to her and humiliates me-"
William SoIiday avoided his wife's
gaze, and methodically arranged his
necktie. He was plain man, with a
kindly smile when he was not disturbed
by his ambitious wife and daughter
We'll, william cant you tell me
whether you can let me have $500 or not
this week?"
Il don't see how we can, Eliza. I've
had hard winter at the store and good
many accounts overdue. wish ! could
make as much money as Charles, but
can't seem to do it, anyway. He is
good talker and smart. You know,
Eliza, that I've worked hard for the last
rs years, early and late"
ooh. | don't accuse you of being lazy"
remarked Mrs. Soliday tartly; what
would like to see is something to show
! for all your work Charles don't get to
his Office till nine and is always through
at five, and makes at least hundred
| dollars a week in salary and commits
| sions"
I'm tell you right now, Eliza, that
even though Charles is my cousin,
would not be in his line of business for
a thousand a week. It's no use to con-
| tinue this talk any longer, Eliza. hope
| to be able to supply you and Elise with
all the necessaries of life, and little
more but as for fitting out Elise so she
can run around with the set that her
cousins belong to- cannot even attempt
| it."
This closed the conversation for that
morning, and while Mrs. Soliday sat in
her room finishing her daughters grad
uating gown, her mind dwelt bitterly
on her cramped life with its petty econ
| omies.
She had really loved William Soliday,
| 80 years ago. He was clerk then, in her
fathers store, and a genial, honest
young fellow But when the business
was his, he did not seem to know just
| how to make it pay He bought good
| line of stock, and he had to sell at
close margin to compete with the cheap
articles displayed by his rivals. Then
he paid his help a fair price, and his
|
deeper into his profits.
That day Mrs. Soliday spent few
hours with her sister, who lived out In
the suburbs. Returning home In the
late afternoon, she was obliged to sit In
a closely car, and her eyes were
startled by headlines In a special edition
of an evening paper: Charles Soliday
Arrested. About to Escape with his
Plumber Denied wrong-doing, but
finally broke down and confessed"
Mrs. Soliday felt her heart stop beat
ing for q moment, then plunge like q
runaway horse Charles Soliday, whose
wife and daughters she had envied-
she could not believe her own eyes. Mrs.
Soliday was too excited to remain In the
car when 1t approached her locality, 30
signaling to the conductor, she left the
car and walked rapidly towards her
home.
Hurrying into the house she was met
by Elise, who had heard the news. The
girl was as excited as her mother, and
they talked over the astonishing situa-
ton.
Isn't it terrible for Bertha and Ber-
nice?" said Elise. They didn't come to
school to-day. and the girls said that
their mother had Mysteries and fainting
spells all day. There's father coming
now"
Tell him | am upstairs and | want TO
speak to him right away" said Mrs Soil
day. as she FASTENED out of the room.
ooh, William, it's more than enough"
me?" she began.
There. Ella. don't take on SO" said
her husband, dropping heavily into big
chair, and taking the trembling woman
in his arms.
But to think what Charles has done
and where he is and where you might
have been if" here she was unable to
go on.
Don't cry so, Eliza. 1t will be all
right in time" continued Mr.. Soliday,
patting his wife's shoulder and hardly
realizing what he was saying.
ooh, but William. would rather live
plain, and not have new things and
know that my husband was an honest
man.
Now. Eliza. just listen a minute"
said William Soliday. Il had chance
to make $50 to-day; that is, ! received
it on an old account that / never expect
ed to be paid. If you want it to buy
some pretty things for the little girl"
"Oh William. it's more than enough, F."
returned his wife. she will only need
a part of it, and want you to have some
for yourself | can't have my good man
looking shabby" she ended with a
slight smile around her mouth and her