Litchfield enquirer., 1854-05-04
T THE TWO MERCHANTS.

out Of his teens, of q middle aged esi, tieman. who was boring over . pic . ledgers in thescounling room Of one . the largest wholesale establishments il our city, The person addressed surnee towards the speaker. and regarding hin for a moment with look of surprise: in quired, What security can you eis, me. Mr. Strosser r ma
 Nothing but my note replied sh. voung man promptly.
 Which I fear would be below psr iu market, replied the merchant, smiling 2 Perhaps so.' said tho young aaan : but Mir. Barton. remember that tbe time may come when Hiram Strossefss note will be as readily accepted as that of any other man.
 True. very true.. replied Mr. Barton, mildly. but you know business men sel- dom loan money without adequate secu- rity-otherwise they might soon be re. duced to penury.'
 At this remark the young mans coun. tenance became deathly pale, and having observed silence of several moments, he inquired, in voice whose tones in. dicated his deep disappointment ~a sTEen you cannot accommodate me. can you 2
 } Gall upon me tomorrow, and will give you reply," said Mir. Barton; and the young man retired. s,
 Mr. Barton resumed his labors at the desk but his mind was so much upon the boy and singular errand. that he could net pursue his task with any cor> reciness and after having made several blunders. he closed the book. took his hat and went out upon the street. Ar irving opposite the store of . wealthy merchant upon Water street, he entered the door. 7 f Good morning. Mr. Hawley. he said approaching the proprietor of the estsb- lishment. who was seated at the desk, counting oyer the profits of the week.
 Good morning, replied the mer. chant, blandly; happy to see you, have seat :? Any news f--how's trader
 Without noticing these inlerroga.ions, MT. Barton said 1:
 Young Slrosser is desirous of estab- fishing himself in small retail business in Washington street. and called this morning to secure of me . loan of two two thousand dollars for that purpose.
 Indeed r exclaimed Mir. Hawley, ev> idenlly surprised at this announcement: but you do not think of loaning shat sum do you?'
 I do not know replied Mr. Barton. Mir. Strosser is a young man of busi- ness talent and strict integrity end will be likely to succeed in whatever he un- @ @.'i '@ f's9g a i9 l'Perhaps SOL replied Mr. Hawley, but l am heartily tired of helping to re-establish these young as- pirants for commercial honors.
 H' Have you ever suffered from such course ? inquired Mr. Barton at the same time casting a roguish glance at Mr. H. 1
 Mo- replied the latter, for l never felt inclined to make an investment Of of that kind
 .Then here is . fine opportunity to do so. It may prove better than stock in the bank. As for myself, have con- cluded that if you will advance him one thousand dollars, will contribute an equal sum- "
 Not single iarthing would I ad. vance for such purpose and if you make an investment of that kind I shall consider you very foolish indeed '
 Mr. Barton observed silence of sev. eral moments. and then arose to depart.
 If you do not feel disposad to share with me in this enterprise. ] shall ad> vance the whole sum myself. Saying which, he left the store. CHAPTER 1T.
 Ten years have passed away since the occurrence of the conversation re. corded in the preceding chapter. and Mr. Barton. pale and agitated. is stsEding at the same desk as when first introduced lo che readers attention. As page after page Of his pondesous ledger was exami. ned, his despair became deeper sDd deeper, until at last he exelaimed--
 Il am ruined -utterly ruined T
 .How SO r inquired Hiram Strosser, who entered inc counting room in sea- son to hear Mr. Barton's remark.
 z The last European steamer brought news of the, failure of the house of Per. ley, Jackson & Co.,, London. wbo are indsb:ed io me in the sum of nearly two hundred thousand dollars. News of the failure has become general. and my cred> itors, panic stiicken. ere pressing in my paper 10 be cashed. Tie banks sefuse me credit. and l have not ihe means 10 meet my liabilities. If could pass this crisis, I could rally again. but it is im- possible; !; my creditors are impOTtgnais and I cannot much longer keep above tho Gids.' replied Ms. Barton.
 What is Ghe extent of your iiabili- nma . H a