Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-09-07
The Investment: or the two Merchants.
CHAPTER |


lars to establish myself in small retail
business? inquired young man not ye
out of his teens. OF mitlile aged gen
tlcman; who wat pouring over a pile oi
ledgers in the counting room of the urges
wholesale establishment in Bos ton. The
person addressed turned towards the
speaker. and regarding him for moment
with u look of surprise. inquired
What security can you give me. Mr..
Strosser!'
Nothing. but my note replied the
young man promptly.
(Which | fear, would be below par in
Market replied the merchant. smiling
blandly.
Perhaps 90. said the youn. man. but
Mr. Barton. remember that the boy is
rot the man; the time may come when
Hiram Strosser's note will be as readily
accepted as tina. of any other man.
True. very true rt piled Mr.. Barton,
mildly; but you know business men
seldom loan money without adequate Sc
curity-otherwise they might soon be
reduced To pcnury.
tenance became deathly pale. and hav.
ing observed silence of several moments,
ne inquired. in voice whose tones inli
Gated his deep disappointment.
Then you cannot accommodate me,
can youl
Call uron me 10 morrow. ond l will
give you a reply. said Burton; and the
young man retired.
Mr.. Barton resumed his labors at the
desk, but his mind was so much upon
the boy and his errand, that he could not
pursue his task with any correctness !;
and after having made several sad blum
ders, he closed the ledgers. took his hat,
and went out upon the street. Arriving
opposite the store OF a wealthy merchant
upon Milk street, be entered the door.
Good morning Mr.. Hawley, said he.
approaching the proprietor of the estab-
lishment who was seated at his desk
counting over the profits of the week.
Good morning. replied the merchant.
blandly; very happy to see you Mr.. Bar
ton--have seat? Any news-how's
trader
Without noticing these interrosa.ons,
MIR Barton said
Young Strosser is desirous of estab
fishing himself in small business IN
Washington street, and called this morn.
ing to secure of me loan OF two thou
sand dollars for that purpose
Indeed, exclaimed Mr.. Hawley. evi-
IDENTIFY surprised at this announcement.
sht,N a a. IL IF
sum, do your
Il do not know replied Mr.. Barton.
mir. Strosser is Young man of business
talent and strict integrity. and will be
very likely 10 succeed in whatever he
undertakes
Perhaps So replied Mr.. Hawley
aoubtfully. but am heartily tired oil
helping TO re-establish these young as
pirants for commercial honors.'
Have you ever suffered any rom such
course2' inquired Mr.. Barton, at the
same time. casting a roguish glance to-
wards Mr.. Hawley.
No. replied the latter. for never
felt inclined TO make an investment oil
that kind
Then here is fine opportunity TO do
so. 1t may prove better than stock in
the bank. As for myself. | have con.
cluded that, il you will advance him
one thousand dollars, will contribute
an equal sum-
Not single far,hing would advance
for such purpose; and if you make ar
investment of that kind. shall conside
you very foolish indeed
Mr.. Barton observed silence Of some
moments and then arose to depart.
III you do not feel disposed to shar,
with me in this enterprise. | shall adj
vance the whole myself
Saying this he left the store.
CHAPTER IL.
Ten years have passed awsy since The
occurrence of the conversation recorded
in the preceding chapter. and Mr.. Bar
ton. pale and ogita,ed. is standing at the
same desk as when first introduced tc
the readers attention. AS page afte,
page of his ponderous ledger was exam.
ined. his despair became deeper and deep
er, until at last he exclaimed-
am ruine9--utterly ruinedp