Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-12-16

~ VI S%cs-N AIDED was the DOCK
SS SA keeper, for 1t had been
@ A a wearisome day in
GA J M the Office. An almost
q gW constant hum, hum OF
IN voices, and footsteps
going In and out, and accustomed as
he was to it, noise grated on the
i boz keepers nerves, for 1t was near
the close OF the months business,
when the trial balance would be on,
and the balance of the year expected.
He was tired, brain tired, nerve
tired and soul tired, and the long
rows Of figures seemed instinct with
life, little dancing imps trying to
lodge and hide from his memory, lur-
ing him on to errors which would
afterwards cause endless search and
trouble to discover.
The manager had gone home, and
the other employees. having finished
) their work, were at liberty to go also
Going home, Mr.. Smith?" asked
the clerk, fresh checked young man,
whose voice fell pleasantly on the
j bookkeeper.s ear. He had been
young, care free and sanguine him
self once, and he had tender feeling
for young men.
Not just now. Charlie. About an
hour,s work here yet. He looked
after the jaunty, elastic figure, with
slight sigh for his own lost youth.
He was old; he felt 1t in every nerve,
Joint and brain cell, and he wondered
how many years Of rest it would take
to obliterate the impress of life's toll.
There must be figures imprinted on
his brain, he thought, and figures
danced before his eyes at night when
: ne would sleep, in never ending pro-
cession..
Its going to be cold tonight. MT.
Smith, said the janitor, when at last
the safe was locked and the book
keeper struggled into his overcoat far
too thin for the weather, old a d
worn in the battle Of life. like him
self.
-Yes. Light the fires little early,
johnson, please, for | shall be on
! hand before the Others"
.AII right, sir" The janitor looked
after him with a plying smile. Poor
old duffer. expect he knows he's
got to put in his best licks If he holds
z his job. It's a hard world, that's
what it is"
It was small cottage home where
! the weary footsteps at last halted,
and there was female figure on the
little porch in front.
-Is that you, papa?"
Yes, Matte. How is my dear to-
night"
How is my dear? Your dear is
5 all right" she answered. with brisk
pleasantly, as she locked her arm in
his, and swung the door wide open.
81 know you are tired. can feel
your@nuscles culver"
Yes, Matte. How, warm and saw
ory you smell in here" he said, inhal-
ing the pleasant odor and warmth
gratefully. 1t was such cheerful
little sitting room, with pictures
tastefully hung, uraped windows, and
restful easy chairs invitingly placed
Just beyond. the little tea table
with :ts snowy cloth and glimmer OF
modest silver and glassware, beck
oned temptingly, but Matte shook
I her finger in warning. You are not
even to look toward the dining room
until call you, papa" she said
laughingly. 81 should have had sup.
per all on If you were not such ar
unpunctual party. Sit down now and
get warm while am gone.
He sank into the red covered rocker
Z with the. slippers standing suggestive
ay before-sit, with smile. 1t is sc
good to be at home, and Matte was
such a CHEEKY little homekeeper thai
his mantle of care slipped of for the
moment, and his weary eyes dronoed
dreamily in the warm freight.
Il do believe you have been nap
ping, papa" Matte said, as she came
in ten minutes later. She did not tel
him that she had dropped tear, and
kiss as light and soft as downy
snowflake OF his tired eyes to awaken
him. as she stood beside him, hel
heart swelling with great pity and
love.
Come. dear. waffles and tea vii
rest you, know. and Aunt Dean has
sent in platter Of fried chicken and
some of her fine. white clover honey.
-Guite feast. my child. said the
father, smilingly. as he took his seal
before the plate of steaming wafiles
s-Aren't you afraid shall develop
gout IL we live SO high?'
1t was their little joke, and each
laughed merrily as Matte poured the
tea. = How is it to-day, papa?" she
asked. wistfully. as the meal pro