The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-05-26
CHAPTER II.

b. v. -. Z
CHAPTER II.
len years have passed away since the oc-
currence of the conversation recorded in the
preceding chapter, and Mr.. Barton, pale and
agitated, is standing at the same desk as
when first introduced to the readers atten-
ton. AS page after page Of his ponderous
ledger was examined. his despair became
deeper and deeper, until at last he exclaim-
ed -
am ruined--utterly ruined =
How sop inquired Hiram Strosser, who
entered the counting room in season to hear
Mr. Barton's remark.
The last European steamer brought news
OF the failure of the house of Perleh. Jack
son d 90, London, who are indebted 10 me
IN the sum OF nearly two hundred thousand
dollars. News of the failure has become
general, and my creditors, panic stricken, are
pressing in my papers to be cashed. The
banks refuse me credit, and have not the
means to meet my liabilities. If 4 could
pass this crisis, per4aps could rally again,
but tits impossible; my creditors are i'm
Fortunate, and | cannot much longer keep
above the tide replied Mr.. Barton.
What is the extent Of your liabilities p
inquired Strosser.
seventy-fye thousand dollars, replied
MIR. Barton.
Would that sum be sufficient to relieve
you
1T would
Then sir, You shall have it, said Strosser,
as he stepped up to the desk and drew a
check for twenty thousand dollars. Here.
take this, and when you need more, do not
hesitate to call upon mc. Remember that
it was from you that received money TO
establish myself in business
1But that debt was cancelled several wears
ago. replied Mr.. Barton as a rayof hone
shot across his troubled mind.
Irue, replied Strosser, but the debt Of
gratitude that owe you has never been can
celled, and now that the scale is turned. /
deem Il my duty to come up to the rescue.
At this singular turn in the tide of for
tune MIR. Barton fairly wept Cor JOY.
His paper was taken up as fast as It was
sent in, and I'M less than month he had
passed the crisis, and stood perfeotIs safe
and secure, his credit increased. and bus;-
ii:ssss approved, while several other firms
sunk Inder the blow and could not rally.
among whom was Mr. Hawley, the n,er,
chant introduced to the reader in the pre-
ceding chapter.
How did You manage to keel, above the
tide e inquired Mr. Hawley of Mr.. Barton
one morning, seyeraimonths after the events
last recorded, as he met the latter upon the
streets, on his way to his place Of business.
Very easily indeed, I can assure you,' re-
piled Mr.. Barton.
Well, do tell me how continued Mr..
Hawley; lay claim to good degree of
shrewdness, but the strongest exercise Of my
wits did not save me, and yet you, who was
by far the greatest sufferer, and whose liabiH-
ties were twice as heavy as my own, have
stood the shock, and have come off even bet
tered by the storm
"a The truth Is replied Mr.. Barton, i cash
ed my paper as fast as it was sent in.
suppcse'so,e -aias M. Hawley, regard
.lng Mr.. B. with look Of supprise- hi how
|did you obtain fundss Az for my mart :,
could not obtain dollar credit: the IanLs
reused lsaul4 % take my paper, and my friends
"A httie investment that made Soma
years ago, replied Mr.. Barton smiling. .bas
recently proved exceedingly profitabIe.'
anyestment echoed Mr.. Hawley, what
investments n ais ""s :.
!. Why, do You not remember how I estab-
llshed young Strosser, in business some ten
s0h yes, yes replied HawIey, as : raw Of
si;sPic,on = Ut up his counteusnce, but what
he r. now one Of the heaviest dry goods
dealers IN the city, aud when this calianrtv
lame on, ne CAME forward and very ref,.
R.isiy advanced me seYenty-five thousand
;yars. You know told you on The n,or,,' |
i, ~ . scalicd 70 offer you an equal sl.are ~
;ne that e might prove better tl,sa a. m Il,
bic announcement Mr.. Hawleysl