The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, 24 December 1908, Page 3

The Storyteller

have his salary raised that very night. A little matter of business had detained Mr. John Bentley, the head of the firm, in his office, so that he would be sure to find him on returning thither. Mr. Bentley was seated in his office glancing over some papers. He was a large, portly man, a little pompous in manner; and a glance from his grey eyes always confused the worthy bookkeeper, who, 16ng as he had known him, had never got to feel quite at ease in his company. Job had an indistinct idea that his employer was immensely superior to him in every way, and looked up to him with distant reverence. John Bentley lifted his eyebrows in surprise as Job shuffled in at the door, his hat under his arm, with in air of nervous trepidation which the consciousness .if his errand inspired. 'Have you forgotten anything, Warner?' demanded Mr. Bentley, in a clear, commanding tone. ' No, sir, Mr. Bentley ; or rather I should say y^s,' stammered the bookkeeper. ' There was a little ma*tt«r which I wished to speak to you about. But I shomd not wish to take up your time if you are busy, sir, and I wrl wait till some other occasion.' ' If you can say what you have to say in five minutes, Warner, go on,' returned his employer. ' It was about an increase of salary, Mr. Bentley,' said he, plunging into his subject and talking fast to keep his courage up. ' Prices have been rising of late so much that I find it very difficult to maintain a wife and four children on seven hundred dollars a year. I do, indeed, sir. If you would be kind enough to add a hundred, or even fifty, I would thank you gratefully, sir.' 'An increase of salary, eh, Warner ? Seven hundred dollars used to be considered a fair salary.' Of course, some get much more. But you know, Warner, that you are not a first-class man of business. Yon do your work very satisfactorily, but ' ' I know what you would say, Mr. Bentley,' interrupted Job, humbly. ' I know my abilities are small, but I try to be faithful. I hope I have always been faithful to the best of my poor abilities.' ' Yes, Warner, you have. Don't think I have any complaint to make; bat as to an increase of salary, that requires consideration. Probably the high prices will not always last, and in the meantime you can be more economical.' More economical ! And this to Job,, who had been a close economist all his life. However, he did not venture to reply, but, bowing humbly, withdrew. A minute later Lis employer, who had got through with the business which detained him, put on his overcoat and followed. On his way back Job paused again before the window, which had so great an attraction for him. Again he thought how much little Effie would like it. But he felt satisfied from Mr. Bentley' s manner that there was little hone of an increase of income, and without that such an outlay would be unpardonable extravagance. ' No,' he half sighed, I must give up the idea of buying it, and little Effie must be content with something less expensive.' Mr. John Bentley was close behind, and heard this speech. 'So he wanted to buy that piece of finery, ' thought he. ' rvo. wonder he demanded an increase of salary.' The two men continued to walk in the same direction, Job, of course, unconscious of Mr. Bentley 's proximity. Suddenly from the darkness of a side street emerged a little girl, a very picture of wretchedness, with ragged dress, pinched and famished features, and feet almost bare, notwithstanding the inclement season. She looked up piteously in the face of Job Warner. ' I am very cold and hungry,' she murmured. 'Poor child! poor child!' ejaculated Job, compassionately. ' Have you no home ?' ' No; mother died last week, and since then I have lived in tne streets.' ' Have you had anything to eat to-day ?' 'Yes, sir, a cracker.' ' Only a cracker!' repeated Job, pitifully. ' And where do you expect to pass the night?' ..' I don't know, sir.' . ' Where did you sleep last night ?' ' In a doorway; but they drove me off this morning. I wish mother were alive again.' The poor child burst into tears, sobbing convulsively. 'Don't cry,' my dear, said Job soothingly. 'Don't cry. You shall come home with me, and I will let you sleep in a warm bed»and give you something to eat. lam poor, my child, "but not so poor as you, thank God! I had intended to buy some little presents for my children, but they will be better pleased if I spend the money in making you comfortable. Take my hand and we shall soon be at home.'

During this colloquy John. Bentley withdrew info a doorway. He had felt some curiosity to learn how his bookkeeper would deal with this claim upon his bounty. There was sometlung in the straightforward simplicity and kind heart of Job that touched him, and made him feel not a little compunction for his own bearing in the interview which had 311st taken place between them. ' He is about to deprive his children of their Christmas presents for the sake of succoring that poor little outcast,' said John Bentley to himself. 'He has a noble heart, poor fellow ! And he shall be no loser by it. After all seven hundred dollars must be quite insufficient in those times. I will see what I can do for him.' It was the merchant's better nature that spoke. He was not naturally a -selfish man, only inconsiderate. Now that his benevolent impulses were excited, he would not rest until they were embodied in action. Honest Job never hast thou done a better night's work than this! Thy kindness to the little outcast shall be richly recompensed. With the little girl's hand firmly clasped in his, Job paused before the door of a small wooden tenement and turning the knob, softly entered.- ' 'Why, Job, how late you are!' said a kind, motherly woman, advancing to meet him. • And, merciful goodness 1 who have you there?' ' A poor child, Mary, without father or mother, who was wandering hungry through the streets. I couldn't help bringing her home, could I? Think if it had been little Effie! 'You did quite right, Joh. Poor little thing! How thin she is. Are you hungry, little girl?' ' Oh, so hungry and cold ! May I warm myself 1 v your fire, ma'am ?' ' Bless me, child, I ought to have thought of it before. Yes, go and sit down on the cricket, and I will bring you some bread and milk.' While the little girl's wants were being satisfied Sir?, Warner said : ' Well, Job, what have you got for the children ?' ' I didn't get anything, Mary. I was just going to get some little things when this poor child came up. I thought maybe we might be willing to keep her for a week or so and fit her oat with some better clothes, and I am afraid we can't afford to do that and buy presents for the children too. Do you think they would be willing to do without them for this year?' to ' I am sure they will. But all have hung ur» their stockings; I must tell them to-night so that they need not be disappointed in the morning.' The considerate mother went upstairs and acquainted the children that their father had brought home a poor little girl who had no father nor mother, and asked if for her sake they would be willing to give up their Christmas presents- This appeal went to the children's hearts. They were also delighted with the idea of a new playfellow, and in bright anticipations of Uie morrow lost sight entirely of the stockings that were destined to remain unfilled. ' What did the children say ?' asked Job, a little uneasily. ' Dear children !' said Mrs. Warner, wiping her eyes with motherly affection and pride. ' They took it like little angels. They are very anxious to see the little girl. I do believe they will regard her as the best Christmas present they could hav«.' ' I wish we could do something more than keep her for a few days,' said Job, thoughtfully. 'So do I. If you only had a 'little larger salary, Job, it might be dome. Why don't you ask for more?' ' I did to-night, Mary.' •And what did Mr. Bentley say?' inquired Mrs. Warner, eagerly. ' He advised me to economise.' 'As if you hadn't been doing it all your life,' exclaimed his wife, indignantly. ' Little he knows what economy is.' 'Hush, Mary,' said Job, half frightened. 'Of course, he can't understand how hard a time we have to get along." 'No, but he ought to inquire. What harm would it do him to give you an extra hundred dollars?' 'I suppose he could afford it,' said John; 'but perhaps he doesn't think I am worth any more. As he said seven hundred dollars used to be considered a fair salary.' ' ' So he refused your application.' ' Well, no, not exactly. He said he would take it into consideration. But lam sure from his tone that 1 have nothing to expect. We must get along as well as we can through the hard times, and perhaps things will improve by and bye. ' What a thoroughly good man you are, Job !' said Mrs. Warner, looking affectionately at her husband, who was dear to her in spite of his shabby coat, ' Of course, I have got a good wife,' he answered cheer-

fully. ' I won't call myself poor as long as I have you, Mary. There were few happier or more thankful hearts than those of the shabby bookkeeper and his good wife, despite their enforced self-denial and numerous privations. Their souls were filled with a calm and serene trust that the same kind Providence which had guarded and guided them hitherto would continue its beneficent care and protection. Mrs. Warner took up her knitting, and Job proceeded to adjust his spectacles, preparatory to reading, when he was interrupted by a quick, sharp, decisive knock on the. outer door. Taking a tallow candle from the tahle a Job went to the door and opened it. The wind caused his candle to flicker, so that he did not at first recognise the visitor. When he did his heart gave a sudden bound, and in bis surprise he nearly let fall the light. It was his employer^ Mr. John Bentley, who stood before him. ' Well, Warner, may I come in ?' inquired the merchant ,with an. unwonted kindness in his tone. 'To be sure, Mr. Bentley, sir ; I shall he most happy if you will condescend to enter my poor dwelling. It isn't suitable for such a visitor, but you are heartily welcome, sir. This way, if you please.' Mrs. Warner looked iip as her husband re-entered the room. Her surprise was little less than his when Mr. Bentley was introduced. ' Mary, this is Mr. Bentley, my respected employer, who has condescended to honor us with a visit. lam sorry we have no better place to receive him in.' ' No apologies, Warner,' said Mr. Bentley, pleasantly, throwing aside his usual pompous manner. ' I didn't expect you could live like a prince on seven hundred dollars. Mrs. Warner, lam glad to make your acquaintance. Your husband has served our house long and faithfully, and I trust will continue long in our employ. lam glad he has so much to make his home pleasant.' No one knew better how to pay a compliment gracefully than John Bentley, and Mrs. Warner bowed in gratification, reiterating the assurance of their pleasure in receiving him. The allusion to her husband's continued services dissipated an apprehension to which Mr. Bentley's unexpected visit had given rise, that he might be about to lose his situation. ' I have called, Warner, on a little business,' proceeded Mr. Bentley. ' You spoke to me to-night about having your salary raised.' 'Yes, sir,' said Job, humbly. 'I thought afterwards that I might be a little presumptuous in supposing my services to be worth more than seven hundred dollars ; but, indeed, sir, it requires a great deal of economy to make both ends meet. I was thinking more of that than of my own qualifications, I suppose. As you said, sir ' ' Never mind what I said, Warner,' interrupted the merchant, smiling. ' Your application was made unexpectedly. I have thought over what you said, and decided that your application was just and proper. Prices have advanced considerably, as a little investigation has satisfied me. Therefore, I have concluded to grant your request. What increase of salary do you ask ? ' ' I thought of asking you for a hundred dollars more,' said Job, timidly ; ' but if you think that is too much, I should be satisfied and grateful if vou could let me have fifty.' 'Do you think you could get along on fifty ? ' asked Mr. Bentley. ' Yes, sir — with economy, of course. I always expect to practise economy, and I have a good wife who Juiows bow to make the most of a little.' ' That I can readily believe,' said the merchant, politely. ' You may consider younr salary raised, then, Warner,' he proceeded. ' And as you have been able to get along on seven hundred dollars, I hope you will bo able to afford yourself somo additional comforts on a thousand.' ' A thousand ! ' repeated Job and his wife simultaneously. ' Yes, my good friends,' said Mr. Bentley ; ' I have decided that my assistant bookkeeper is fully worth that sum to the firm, and it is my wish to pay those whom 1 employ what they are justly entitled to.' ' How can I ever thank you, sir P ' exclaimed Job, rising and seizing his employer's hand. ' I shall consider myself rich with such an income. Mary^ did you understand? I am to have a thousand dollars.' ' Sir, you are very kind,' said Mary, simply. ' I need not thank you. Your own heart will tell you how much happiness you have conferred upon us.' ' I understand and appreciate what you say 3 ' said Mr. Bentley, kindly. ' But, Warner,' he continued, 'there is another matter about which I wish to speak to you. There is a young girl in whom I feel an interest, who is unfortunate enough to stand alone in the world, without

father or mother. I have thought that if you and Mrs. Warner would be willing to receive her as one of your family, and bring her up in the same careful manner as your own children, it would be an excellent arrangement for her, while I would take care that you lost nothing by your kindness.' • • ' We shall be most happy to oblige you, sir,' said Mrs. Warner. ' But would our plain style of living suit the young lady? We shall, to be sure, be able now to afford a better house.' ' I don't think the young lady will find any fault with your housekeeping, Mrs. Warner,' said the merchant, especially as she has probably never been accustomed to living as well as she would with you.' Mrs. Warner looked mystified. Mr. Bentley smiled. ' The young lady is already in your house,' he explained. 'In fact, it is the friendless little orphan whom your husband encountered to-night and brought home.' Mrs. Warner's face lighted up with pleasure. 'We will undertake the charge gladly,' she answered; [ and would have done so if you had not spoken of it. Is it not so, Job ? ' ' Yes, Mary, it occurred to me as soon as Mr. Bentley spoke of raising my salary.' ' And you would really have undertaken such a charge at your own expense?' said Mr. Bentley, wonderingly. ' Would it have been just to your own children to diminish their comforts for the sake of doing a charitable action ? ' 'We shall not be able to leave our children money,' saia Mrs. Warner, simply, ' but we hope to train them up to deeds of kindness. There's a great deal of suffering in the world, sir. We ought to do our part toward relieving it.' ' I honor you, Mrs. Warner, for your unselfish benevolence,' returned Mr. Bentley, warmly; 'but in this case I shall claim to do my part. I shall allow you two hundred dollars a year for taking care of this child. You will, of course, require a larger and more commodious house, and will, I hope, be enabled to afford your children such advantages as they may require to prepare them to act their parts in the world.' ' Two hundred dollars ! ' exclaimed Job, scarcely crediting the testimony of his ears. ' Why, that will make twelve hundred . Mr. Bentley, sir, I hope you will believe me to be grateful. You have so laden" me with benefits that I don't know how to thank you.' ' And I am under obligations to you, Warner, also,' said Mr. Bentley. ' Prosperity had begun to harden my heart. At any rate, it had made me thoughtless of the multitudes who are struggling with ills which my wealth could alleviate. To night I was an unseen witness of your kindness to the poor girl who crossed your path. I felt rebuked by the contrast between your conduct and mine, and I resolved, God helping me, to become hereafter a better steward of His bounty.' ' Indeed, Mr. Bentley, you think too much of the little I did,' said Job, modestly. ' Let me keep my own opinion as to that, Warner. By the way, it may be well for me to pay the first quarter of our little charge in advance. Here are fifty dollars. At the expiration of six months you may draw upon me for a similar amount. Before I leave you let me take the liberty to suggest that you still have an opportunity of providing Christmas gifts for your children.' 'So I shall. Thank you, Mr. Bentley, for kindly reminding me. Effie shall have her doll after all. Such a doll ! ' he explained, eagerly turning toward his wife. ' She is as fine as a royal orincess. But not too good for Effie' ' By all means let Effie have her doll/ said Mr. Bentley, smiling. ' I must bid you good night, Mrs. Warner. But when you have moved I will look you up again, and shall hope to make the acquaintance of Effie and her doll.' Job Warner was absent an hour. When he returned he was fairly loaded down with gifts. I cannot undertake to enumerate them. Enough that prominent among them was Effie' s stately present. Can the friendly reader imagine the delight of the children the next morning? Seldom has Christmas dawned on a happier household. Effie was in a perfect ecstacy of delight. Nor was tbe little outcast forgotten. When her rags were stripped off and she was attired in thick, warm clothing, she seemed suddenly to have been lifted into Paradise.

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