Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-09-06
The Social
Ladder
There Is Money as Well
as Position on the
Top Round
BY ETHEL HOLMES

were married at an unfortunate time.
They had been both brought up in lux
ury and had met, loved and become en-
gagged In the social whirl. But they
were the last of long line of rich peo.
pie, and neither possessed anything
whereon to live except their clothes.
though this in Eunice's case was coy
siderable.
Love spurred Billy to make an effo, =.
and he secured a position giving him
$25 a week. The two figured out how
they would make it do, and, Cupid
holding the pencil, brought their re-
quirements within 1t. So they were
married. But unfortunately the pan
European war came ON about this time
and prices began to soar. Billy's sal
ary remained where it was Articles
that they required rose from 80 to 100
per cent. Therefore their income was
really not more than from S15 to $40 {
week. Cupid, after he has got a coupl,
off his hands by marrying them, does
not further trouble himself about their
affairs. The Saxtons made new fig
ures, but the little god was not wag-
ging the pencil, and this time the result
spelled ruin.
After long conference it was agreed
between them that Billy should go to
Mr. Goldwin, the head Of the firm by
which he was employed, call his atten-
ton to the raise in prices of necessities
and ask if something could not be
done to enable him to earn a better in.
come The next day after business
hours when Mr.. Goldwin was about to
leave his private office Billy opened the
door and walked in. Billy had ON a
suit he had worn at the time of his
marriage, a beautiful polkadot necktie
and yellow spats. Most of his attire
was somewhat worn, but it was in
good style. and it's owner looked more
like deposed prince of the blood in
quiring for rich American wife than
mere clerk.
Billy stammered forth his case while
his employer listened, rather noting the
young mans aristocratic appearance
than the burden Of his argument. But
when the request came Mr. Goldwin
told his employee that, while he saw
the justice Of his demand, he could not
grant it. The profits in his business,
while prices had been rising, had fallen
proportionately. True, the firm had
been doing a larger business than be-
fore, but everything required in it had
SO risen in price that the more business
done the more money lost.
Billy knew that this was not so, and
the knowledge only made him feel the
more bitter at the refusal He went
out sorrowful. AS he made his exit
the wife Of the head Of the firm en-
tered. She was richly dressed and be-
spangled with jewels. She had come
to drive her husband home in his auto
"Who is that young man?' she asked
His name is Saxton. Why do you
ask?"
Hes the most aristocratic looking
person have seen in long while. Is
BE in your employ?"
"Yes; he has minor clerkship.'
"A minor clerkship! A young man
Of his age and to the manner born oc-
cupying minor clerkship!'
"Our clerks are not appointed bo.
cause they are aristocratic looking arc
wear fine clothes"
Nevertheless I think l see in this
young man something more valuable
and ornamental than one perched on
high stool turning over the leaves of
a ledger"
"Well, my dear, if you will tell me
how to make him thus valuable will
see what can do about it,
ASK him to dinner"
Mr.. Goodwin, having Just refused
Billy raise in salary, was not minded
to invite him to dinner. Such an invi.
tation would suggest that the employ
er had reconsidered the request of the
employee and would show a favOrit-
ism to one of the Office force that would
have bad effect. Mr.. Goodwin said
that he would see about it, and the
subject was dropped for the time.
When Mrs. Goodwin brought it up
again her husband told her that Billy
had wife and it would be out Of the
ANSSeAoA W SANc hllA du
without including his consort. Mrs.
Goodwin, not being sure that Mrs. Sax
ton was up to Billy's aristocratic stand.
ard, dropped the matter-at least for
the time
One Sunday Mr.. and Mrs. Goldwin
were reading the morning papers, be
the financial articles, his wife the So
c1ety columns. Mrs. Goldwin's eve
al1ghted upon an announcement of the
first appearance in rhe social world for
some time of Mr.. and Mrs. William
Saxton at function given by Mrs.
Saxton's aunt. Mrs. DeVersey Main
waring. Mrs. Goldwin at once called
her husbands attention to the an
nouncement and berated him soundly
Tor not having given the invitation she
had suggested. Mr.. Goldwin, who
knew something Of social customs,
suggested that Mrs. Saxton must be
considered in the matter and raised Q
l0f of OhiootionC rxhioh For Tho 49,,