Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-24
III 1 s &C TIA ~ y .
From the Portland Tribune.
THE PROMISE FULFILLED,

THE PROMISE FULFILLED,
BY D. c. CoLEswoRTHY.
How sweet and tender the words
Which flow from hearts that iee!
They vbrae the tenderest chords,
And only bruise to heal.
Bring these, and like rich muscs swell
Upon placid lake,
They'll sink upon the heart and dwell,
And grateful thoughts awake
Charles Emerson was the son of a mechanic.
When he left school, he entered the store of a
merchant in Fore street, as his clerk. Bright,
active and intelligent he secured the favor of his
master and the good will of those who traded at
the store. For six or seven years, Charles was
attentive to his business and exerted himself for
his employer. When he arrived at one and
twenty years of age, he came under an obliga-
ton to remain with his employer another twelve
months for specified sum. The year passed,
and young Emerson concluded to commence bu-
siness in his own name. The merchant did not
wish to part with one who had been so faithful
to him for series of years, but as he thought it
might be advantageous to the young man, he en-
Outraged him to go into business for himself In
few weeks Charles was in his own store His
goods had been well selected, and purchased low
BY the assistance of a few friends he commence
ed business with good capital, and the prospect
for him appeared to be excellent His acquaint-
ances were numerous, both in the city and coun-
ty. His noble character was appreciated by all
with whom he ever had dealings. A few years
passed away, during which time the young mer-
chant prospered beyond his most sanguine expec-
tations His business had increased year by
year, and his stock was as large as any mer-
chants in the city. No mans credit was better
than his. Amid his prosperity, however, Charles
was not unmindful of others He was always
ready to assist honest young men who were str-
wing for livelihood, And he had facilities for
being useful to others. Being chosen director
in one of our banks, he was extremely careful
how he refused small note from young man.
These he preferred to the discounting paper for
large amount from wealthy capitalists. One
day, something like half dozen notes we're pre-
scented at his bank for discount The largest
was for four thousand dollars, drawn by very
wealthy man, and the remainder were for small
sums, ranging from fifty to hundred dollars
The directors were all in favor of taking the
large note and refusing the small ones excep
Emerson.
My friends, said he, the gentleman who want:
the large amount can obtain it elsewhere if We
do not discount his note, and of course it will BIZ
but little disappointment to hnl-whereas these
young men, all of whom l know personally or by
reputation, are in need of this money to carry Oh
their business They have no friends to call up
on for money, and if we refuse them it may bt
of serious inconvenience am in favor of re
fusing the former and dscounting the latte
notes."
You know, Mr. Emerson" said one of the
board-and we should like to give his name, bu
it will not be prudent" that Mr.. - is
wealthy man and it will be perfectly safe to trus
him. These small fry are not worth looking af
ter 1t is Just as much trouble to look after ffty
dollars as five thousand"
C grant, sir, that it will be more for our in
terest to refuse to accommodate poor young men
and loan all our capital to few rich men but
am in favor of accommodating those who are il
need of money and in small degree help then
to acquire property"
The directors conceded in favor of Skinhnt
telling the cashier to give as reason why tn
small notes we're not discounted, the lack of mo
ney, or that they did not discount on that day.
Mr.. Emerson made no farther remark, but il
a short time whispered in the ear of the cashie
- you may draw from my private account mo
ney sufficient to accommodate all those young
men. have been in a situation when fifty or
hundred dollars were of incaculable service t,
me-
The cashier did as he was directed by thu
merchant, and every note was promptly paid wher
due. 1t was in this way that Mr.. Emerson dit
a large amount of good without having it known
and set most admirable example to others
The merchant had been in business something
like dozen years, and was supposed to be wortl
from forty to fifty thousand dollars He gave
employment to a number of hands, not one o
whom who did not speak of him in the best O
terms But in the midst of his prosperity the
land fever began to rage Every body was buy
ing land and making their thousands of dollars
day. Mr. Emerson stood aloof from the spec
ulating mania for long time, although frequent
ly solicited to make purchase But at last hi
yielded and bought largely 1t was too late-
The fever began to subside and he was left witt
large tracts Of land on hand He had paid GU
many thousand dollars and given his notes for al
many more. The money he depended on tc
meet his demands could not be collected. 9th
ers had suffered and were not able to pay theil
Just debts. What could be donel Must the
merchant fail! There was no help for it. He
made known his situation to those he owed
made plain statement of his affairs, and he wa
willing TO give up all his property, and com
mence business again Would they accept hi
PROPOSAL He wrote them that any thing in hi