The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-12-10

years AROUND IT,
In the eager pursuit of wealth,men's heart
, become incrusted over, and they seem to los
all regard for each others personal condition
1t requires something more than usual t
break up the incrustation. The words of Nh
Highland had the effect to do this with mor
than one of Cartons creditors; even Eide
did not reply to what he said, but this wa
more from shame than any other feeling.
4" 1t is rather a hard case, you must your
self confess" remarked one Of those present
" to have money that you fully expected t.
receive and can use to advantage, locked W
for two or three years."
~ grant all that, but would it not be
much harder case for Carlton to be broken W
root and branch"
II suppose it would" the man replied.
"Then let us do by him as we would be
done by ourselves were we in similar posi-
I tion," said Mr.. Highland.
The efforts of Elder to ef1ace the impress
sion the words of Mr. Highland had made,
proved in vain. 1t was agreed that the debt
or should receive the extension he asked
When informed of this decision, Carlton could
not hide his emotions, though he strove hard
to do SO, His grateful acknowledgment for
the favor granted, touched more than one
heart that had been coldpasice toward him a
short time before.a.IIow different were his
feelings when he met his family that evening,
and silently thanked Heaven that the clouds
which had lowered over and threatened to
break in deSolating tempests, had passed from
the sky
Long before the arrival of the time for
which an extension had been granted, Mr.
Carlton was able to pay off everything, and to
look in the face without unpleasant emotions
every man he met.
Strange things happen in real life. Mr..
Elder was shipper, and extensively engaged
in trade For series of years everything
went on prosperously with him His adven-
lures always found good Market and his
consignments safe and energetic factors. All
this he attributed to his own business acu-
men,
81 never make bad shipments" he would
sometimes say 81 never consign to doubt
full agents"
A man like Mr.. Elder is rarely permitted
to 90 through life without practical convic-
ton that he is in the hand Of One who GOV
erns all events. 1t is rarely that such a one
does not become painfully conscious in the
end that human prudence is as nothing
The first thing that occurred to check the
confident spirit of Mr.. Elder, was the loss of
a ship and cargo under circumstances that
gave the underwriters a fair plea for not pay
ing the risk He sued and was cast The
loss was twenty-five thousand dollars.
A few weeks AFTER news came that ship
nent to the South American coast had result |
I'd in q loss. From that time everything
seemed to 60 wrong His adventures found
| glutted market, and his return cargoes de-
preston of prices. If he had held on to a
hing in the hope of better rates, prices would
20 down, until, in desperate mood he would |
ell; then they would go up steadily. The
ime was when he confined himself strictly to ,
legitimate trade. But mania for specula-.
ion now took hold of him and urged linn on
o ruin. lie even ventured in the bewilder- !
ng precincts Of the stock market, lured by |
he hope of splendid results. Here he stood !
Upon the ground that soon crumbled beneath |
lis feet a loss Of twenty or thirty thousand |
dollars cured him of his folly, and he turned
With sigh to his counting room, to digest |
With care and prudent forethought, some safe |
operation in his regular business.
But the true balance of his mind was lost. |
lie could not consider with calmness the bust :
less in hand. A false movement was the con-
equcnce. Loss instead Of profit was the I'M
Ortunate result
Seven years from the day Mr. Elder OPP
'osed an arrangement with Mr.. Carlton which
hould regard the debtor as we'll as the cred
tor, he himself found it impossible to pro.
lde Tor all his heavy payments. For some
inc he had kept his head above water by
naklnG sacrifices, but the end of this came.
After slecpless night the merchant start
d one morning for his store, oppressed with
he sad conviction that before the day closed,
us fair fame would be furnished. AS he
walked along Broadway, Mr. Carlton came to
is side with cheerful salutation. Carlton
vas now large creditor instead of debtor.
IN that day, he had bills in his favor to the
mount of five thousand dollars and these
Cider could not pay. The recollection of this
lade it almost impossible for him to reply to
he pleasant observations of his companion.-
7ividly, as if it had occurred yesterday, came
p before his mind the circumstances that had
ranspired few years previously. He re-
how eagerly he had sought, from
he mcrest selfish motives, to break down Mr.
'arton, and throw him helpless upon the
,orld, and how nearh he was to accomplishing
he merchants total overthrow. Such recol-
lllllIl nope lllttL IOr
moment had presented itself of cnlisting
If. Cartoons good feelings, and securing him
5 friend in the trial through which he was
} pass
Several times during the walk towards Pearl
rect he was on the point OF breaking the
natter to Mr.. Carlton, but either his heart
'iled him, or his companion made some re-
lark to which he was compelled to reply
It length they separated without any alu-
ON to the subject on which he was so desir- j
US of speaking. He had not courage to ut !
II the first word.
But this was only postponing for brief
eriod the evil day, Several remittanccs
ere anxiously looked for that morning He
roke the sealing, letter after letter, with
embling anxiety. Alas the mail brought
i'm no aid. His last hope was gone. Moth
e now remained for him but to turn his face
raVely to the threatening Storm and benr