The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-02-03
A CLEAN OF SUNSHINE
ON
PATH OF A MONEY LENDER.
By r. s. ARTHUR.

Mr.. Edgar was money v-lender, and
scrupled not in exaciing the highest street
rates of interest that could be obtained
L good paper were offered, aud he coud
buy il from the needy seeker of cash at twe
or even three per cent. month, he did
not hesitate about The transaction on any
scruples OF justice between man and man
Below one per cent. month, he rarely
made loans lie had nothing TO do with
the question. as TO whether the holder of
| bi |, could afford lhe sacrifice. The circle
ii his thoughts went not hey yond gain to
himself
Few days closed with Mr.. Edgar, that
he was not able TO count up gains as high
as from thrty 10 one hundred dollars. NJ
'cquired IN trade; not coming back TO hlu,
Us the reward OF productive industry; bnt
the simple accumulation Of large clippings
from The anticipated reward OF others in
dus'ry. Alwass with a good balance il
bank, he had but 10 sign his name t. q
check and the slight effort was repaid by q
gain OF from ten 10 fifty dollars, according
TO the size and time Of the note he had
agreed to discount. A shrewd man, and
well acquainted with the business stand.
ing OF all around him, Mr.. Edgar rareI,
made mistakes in money Transactions
There was always plenty OF good paper
Offering and he never touched any thing
regarded as doubtful.
WIS Mr. Edgar happy man? All!
Tha, is home question. But, we ans
wer frankly, no. During his office hours.
while his love of grin was active-while
good customers were coming and going,
and good operations being etfecled--his
mind was 10 a pleasurable glow. But, a,
other times. he suffered greatly from q
pressure on his feelings, the cause of which
he did net clearly understand. Wealth he
had always regarded as the greatest good
in life. And now, he not only had wealth.
but the income theretrom was great deal
more than he had any desire to spend
And yet he was not happy-no, not even
in the thought Of his large possessions.--
Only in the mental activity through which
more was obtained, did he really find salts
faction; but this state was only Of short
duration.
o, no, Mr.. Edgar was not happy. Few
CLEANS Of ofsunshine lay across bis path
Life, to him, ia his own bitter words, utter
ed after some keen disappointment, had
sproved a failure And vet he continued
eager for gain; would cut as deep, exact as
much, from those who had need OF his mo
ney in their business, as ever. The meas
ure Of percentage was the measure Of his
satisfaction.
One day gentleman stopped at his Of
flee and said to him.
sMr. Edgar, advised a young mechanic
who has been in business for short time,
and who has to take notes for his work,
to call on you for the purpose of getting
them cashed. He has no credit in bank
and is, therefore, compelled to 60 upon the
stree, for money. Most Of his work is Ia.
ken by one of the safest houses in this city
his paper is, therefore, as good as any in
the market Deal as moderately with hin
az YOU can. He knows little about these
matters, or where to 80 for the accommoda
tions be needs
is he an industrious and prudent young
man?' inquired Mr.. Edgar, caution and Gu
piditv at once excited.
'Ile is
What is his name?'
! .BIakewell'
/ sO,lknow him. Very well; send hin
along, and. if his paper is good, III discount
liz
You'll find il first rsten said the gentle
man.
/ How much shall charge hms' This
was Mr.. Edgar's first thought, so soon a'
he was alone. Even as be was asking
himself the question, the young mechanic
entered
sYou take good paper, sometlmesT said
the latter, in a hestatiug manner.
The countenauce Of MIR. Edgar be
came instantly very grave.
Sometimes | do he answered with as
sumed Indifference.
4 have a note Of Leyden's e. Co.'S tha
| wish discounted said Blackwell.