The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-01-12
CHAPTER Y
A FAILURE IN busINEss.

Tor me. When merged all my notes into one.
ana increased the amount to twenty-five hundred
dollars, you gave your positive promise that YOU
would continue to renew it SO long as the discount
was regularly paid. You know that you have am
pie security"
Did you think that l could go ON in that way
forever? You have strange idea of business
said MIR. Cenium, in an irritated manner.
But. Mr.. Centum,' urged Mr.. Hardanaer. IL
is only three months since made the note and
have paid you your own price upon every renewal.
l've never complained of the discount, though it
has been large
'Wells can't help that Mr.. Hardamer. I've
other use for my money, just now and this must
be paid to day.
1t is impossible'
1t must be done,' said the broker aneriiy. -
But you know it is perfectly safe; and what
is the use of your driving me to ruin. i cannot
possibly pay the money to-day-itis as much as t
can do to raise the interest,"
I don't know that it is SO saFe,' replied Mr..
Centum,, doubtingly. Property is beginhing to
fall. Besides you are too extravegant in your
family. Morrison told me yesterday, that your
daughters dry goods bill fer the last three months
was over five hundred dolars.'
'He didn't tell the TRUTH = said Hardamer,
quickly, and with good deal of irritation in his
manner.
Well never caught him in a faIsehood,n re-
piled the broker, calmly. But that is neither here
nor theres I cannot renew this note any longer.
1t must be paid to-day!'
. 1t cannot!!' said Hardarner, despondingiy.
So much for befrendng you! replied the bro-
ker. : never yet accommodated man in trouble,
that he didn't dsappoint me. Do you suppose,
when loan my money for certain time, that 1
do not expect 30 get it when that time expires y
If find it convenient to renew, why, it's all we'll
enough. But if don't nobody has right to conn
plain. Whenever l want my money, it is.my
rule to get it. It's only my own that ask for
But surely, Mr.. Centu,a, humanity would
prompt you TO make small sacrifice in case
like mine. You know my situation as well as
do, and know that it is impossible for me to take up
this note. will pay almost any price for the
money
It's no use yor you to talk, Mr.. Hardamer--
you will be no more able to pay me six months
from now than you to- day. said the broker.
But am not able to pay you to-day, as far as
ready moneyis concerned
That's your look out replied Mr.. Centum;
showing his teeth. You are aware that have
my remedy.'
But you cannot, certainly find it in your heart
to break me up with large family upon my
hands, q, -
POOH what's that my business? I've got MY
own affairs TO attend to. not yours. When man
borrows money, he ought to pay If, and make no
fuss about it,
You won'l have The note protested, Mr. Csn-
tum, will you 2 urged Hardamer, in suppica-
ting tone.
won't 2 replied Cent1rh with ain angry grin
= wait till three u'clock and see! don's de my
business by halves, and never did,.
In pity, spare me !! said Hardamer, in voice
ofagony drivenamost to desperation at the Thought
Of a failure in business.
I've got no time to fool with you, Mr.. Harda-
ner! Pay that note, or it will be protested, and
he mortgage forecosed to=n1orrow!' replied the
'roker in loud, angry voice. and abruptly left his
,ffice.
The evil day had at last fallen upon him, and
there wasno hope for poor Hardamer. Intte last
three months he had paid more than seven huns
tred dollars in exorbitant discounts to Centum; and
that individual, having played with him as long as
ne thought it prudent, now determined to bring
matters to crisis. His security, it is true, was
ample, but there had been slight decline in the
'alue of property, and he had no idea of running
esghtest risk. Mere than half of the Twenty-Five
hundred dollars due him. he had received in inter-
st,during nine months. from Hardamei who, in his
agerness to get money, had not hesitated to com.
y with the money lenders most nnrighteous de.
nands. In state of mind not easily imagined,did
3ardamer wait until the town clock rune ont, loud
nd clear, the hour of three. Every stroke of the
ell fell upon his ear with solemn, funeral sound.
5ut after the last ringing reverberation had died ON
he air. he breathed more freely, and sat himself
own to wait in state of forced calmness, the ar.
ival of the notary. In the course of half an hour.
hat individual came tripping in, and, with most
lhconcerned and unsympathsing face, asked for
'ayment of the note.
Il have no money said Hurdamer, mechanical.
Y.
The notary threw down protest upon the coun-
ef, and hurried away, while Hardatnsr lifted the
eaiful document. and read it over with strange
omposure.
1t takes but short time to wind up an houest
eotor Every thing was given up BY Hsrdatner,
Ito the hands of trustee, and the business
rought to settlements as speedily as possibie.@-
lis house was sold and brought bus thrse thou
aud FIVE hundred dollars, which with his good book
ccounts, paid off the whole of bis indebtsdness to
vorybody. Among the bills brought in was that
Martin Morrison, for dry goods. amounting to
We hundred dollars. 1t was paid Of eourse.
The busness had proceeded as usual. for the
No months during which it was in The course Of
ettlemeht, under the superiutendence of Harda-
,er. All of his stock of leather, and some Of he
work was left in his possession, With
bout fire hundred dollars.
This constituted his whole capital. at the age Of
ty- five, with which again to start in the world
lis dwelling and shop. no longer his own, could
Of now be occupied, unless at rent Of six hun
'ed dollars year. This he was NOT able n nav.