Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-17

OF dazzling papsr. Magnificent houses were
built on promises, and extensively furnished
with the same facility-carriages were pur-
chased. to be drawn by horses. paid for by the
magical sixty days, and were driven by COACH
men who speculated in stocks Clerks, on
nominal salaries, gave extrayagant balls to
young ladies, who sported diamonds with hum
dred dollar handkerchiefs, and wrapped their
lovely persons in thousand dollar shawls And
so the inflated system swung easily up, carry
ing the thOughtless multitude until there came
the inevitable collapse, and from fearful
height down they tumbled into q frightful
depth of ruin. Et--f frEnt.u =. -.
l Mr.. Johnston could not resist the temptation.
In an evil hour he left his safe, profitable tu-
siness, to become the President of Bank and
founder Of imaginary cities wherein there were
busy buying and selling of imaginary lots.
His bank threw out its circulation, not reck-
lessly as others, but yet beyond the dictates of
prudence At the time my little story COM
mences, the first fearful explosions broke upon
business ears, -.-... ,.
g Like the tone Of the gun
That startles the deep when the coubats begun y
All was confusion and dismay. Mr.. Johnston
saw men and companies, he was forced to rely
upon, 20 down in rapid succession, like bricks
In a row, and his own bank threatened with
run. To save this. he promptly stepped for
ward, and pledged his entire fortune to the re-
by his pride as a business man, and the remem-
brance that these notes wero in the hands Of
the laborlng classes, and that tho poor, the
widow, and orphan, would be the principal suf-
Ierers IN their depreciation or loss. Having
made this humane move, he waited inpatient
ly the result
These commercial troubles gave occupation
to new class of speculators, known as Brokers.
They were the terror of the banks. First de-
preciating, by inslEuation and abuse, a curren-
cy they had their eyes upon. they would pur-
chase 1t up At a very heavy discount, and then
unexpectedly present the notes at the bank with
a demand for specie. No clerk opened the door
OF his dim temple in the morning, but with fear
and trembling. No officer repairing to his pol
lshed desk, at the magic hour of ten, but re-
garded that door with anxiety, and watched
each new conner with suspicion. The fact that
Mr. johnston had pledged his fortune to the re-
demptiOn of the circulation did not help the
Bank. While the notes, at a distance, were at
fearful discount, and 30 quoted, his pledge OF
redemption made dealing in them, by the
hearusss brokers, or bears, as they are called,
comparatively safe.
Inc morning was one Of those mild, breezy
specimens OF early summer, which, redolent
with the last breath Of spring, had not yet
warmth enough to make one realize the ener-
Vatng effect OF our climate. Miss Ella John
ston, habited in charming negligee of morn
ing wrapper, which displayed to the best advan-
tage her graceful form, arose from before the
Coffee urn, and walked into the Handsomely
arranged parlOr, as we are pleased to terra the
drawing room, followed by her lover Mr. Bar
nett's carefully adorned person proved that he
had not yet arrived at the hOpeles. state indi-
Gated by neglected dress. Mr.. Clinton John
ston had retired to, what it pleased him to call,
the library. The Aunt was engaged in house
hold duties. 50 that the lovers found themselves
alone. This long hoped for advantage was
greeted at first by only An swkwafk silence.
Ella, seated at the piano, ran her delicate fin
gers carelessly over the ivory keys. At last,
Mr. Edward, In low, hesltating tone, said
q Weil, Cousin, my visit is about drawing to
q close"
- am very sorry" was the reply; and then,
as II having said too much she added, - Father
expected you to be with US all summer" ..
" lie will not suffer much ut my departure
Why do you say that? she asked re-
proachfully. 30 e. 'E-. -
=. 4 don know; but of late his manner has
greatly changed, Why should we deceive each
other, Ella! \ cur father knows Of Our-I mean
my attachment, and is displeased. L am poor
ard ne has other plans for his daughter. -
. Don't talk in that absurd way, Edward.
Father is very fond, indeed. proud of you, and
this bitterness is cruelty uncafled for He has
SAID nothing as yet
Because you will not permit me to approach
him. | will go now cannot bear this sus-
pense'' =
PLEASE do not" earnestly exclaimed the
girl, some other time-not now, Edward-
please listen to me. Father has so much anx-
iety, such trouble, just at this time
II cannot wait longer, Ells-I feel as if
near and dear to us. Let me go TO your father
at once"
She made no further objection, and the young
man sought her father. He found the banker
immersed in papers, and, apologizing for the
Interruption, plunged at once into the subject.
To ais confused utterances Mr.. Johnston listen
ed quietly, and, when he had ended, said:
Il regret this. This is very painful TO me.
1 know that you are attached to your cousin;
and you are every way worthy Of her. But, Ed
ward, l have other views. To tell you the
truth, my dear boy, while have the reputA-
tion of being man of wealth, L approach bank
rup:cy, and find all my possessions crumbling
about me- ......-
. L do not care for wealth, sir; only ask for
your daugl ter. 1 am yC'ng, and willing to
work for her support
+ " You do not care for wealth, and will no
doubt be quite able to accumulate it, when you
do But my daughter has been bred TO other
habits and expectations.
Let us hope otherwise. Let me assist you,
sir. Certainly, We can weather this storm; it
cannot be 30 bad as you seem TO anticipate.
I" cannot tell. run upon my bank at this
time would ruin US. by my pledges have Sc
cured confidence in the Immediate neighbor-
hood; but what has secured me at home, courts
speculation abroad. am in hourly dread Of
these brokers'"
At this moment the boy from the bank broke
into the room, quite pale and out of breath
lie exclaimed
- They're come, SIR"
Z" As / expected" was the quiet response
:" Say to Mr.. Inkpen that will be with him in
a moment" and seising his hat, he hastened
10 the bank.
Tho stage entered West Independence from
towards the city, and about noon Of the morn
ing We mention, this rough, rolling conveyance
tnrned out one passenger at the " Bald Eagle"
lie was tall, slender man. of about sixty
years, dressed in homespun, with a singularly
mixed expression Of shrewdnesS and simplicity,
rather puzZling to n student of human nature
lie asked for the Bogus County Banking
House, and, with a wel-stufed, old fashioned
PAIR OF leathern ss1dle-bags on his arm, sought
the insfifution ipof,iro1