Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-02-05
CHAPTER Ill.

Another year had passed away in the
business experience If the young mer-
chants. The books had been balanced.
and the results stood in blach and white
before them.
Ben had followed up the system Of ad
,erlising through the year. He had expen-
ded large sums but had made the outlay
judgment and discretion.
The result exceeded lis most sanguiae
expectations His Store was crowded with
customers; with genuine bona tide custom
ers. and with but small proportion of CAD
ders and fancy shoppers. The newspaper
had borne to the best families in the city
and country full descriptions of his stock
His name was as familiar as household
words, in the dwellings of the rich and the
poor, of the farmer, the mechanic, and the
laborcr.
Truly, the harvest was abundant. and
Ben rubbed his hands with delight as he
cast his eyes over the figures which con-
veyed the pleasing result of his years ope-
rations He had the means, not only of
clearing himself from debt, but also of
gratifying his wife by giving her ali the
new furniture she required, besides hand
some surplus with which to increase his bu-
siness.
The new furniture was bought and Sc.
up; every debt was discharged, and the
importers aud jobbers were eager TO give
him unini ed credi,.
Ouc day when he was rumna ing upnn
this pleasan. sac of iIilgs, Joe Wcs-on
cn clcd Ike sore Fos seine moli is pas
the i,icicoui ST be. wcen .hc voan5 mcr-
cian's | al no b.cn rs cari Il as f,rmc. ~.
Joe's nice i ilss faI III | er Sc: in up;
some If ihe upper ten had con lcscen led "a
,i>i him: and lie a,.endci the 'Almack
par les of the town with his vie.
He WAS getting aheai in lis own es ina
ion and cherished supreme contempt
f,r he slow motions of lis fi>nd Bal
VIXEN. in tie mi Idle Of the year Ee found
himself running down hill. and d:,covcrel !
, that BINS sore WAS crowded with shop.
pers, willie lis own WAS empty, feeling
of envy took Possession OF lin. Ben
must be uu lerscIiy, he concluded,
and sooner OF later the consequences will
appear.
The prosperous merchant could not but
notice the sad, dcjcc. ed micn of his friend.
us he entered the store.
How are you, Joe? You are almos. a
) stranger. Ia ely. Where do You keep your
SELF sail Ben.
, Business. Ben, businessl' replied Joe
dcmurcly.
; Good Business before pleasure
Anything over to-day?' asked Joe; but
the query Mas not put in that buovart
tone, which had distinguished him in for
mer days.
a trille; how much do you want?' re-
turned Ben promptly
TO tell the truth, am bang up. have
got a note of four hume red to pay, and
have not raised the first dollar towards
it,
You are late; it is half past one now,
replied Ben, consulting his watch.
Ben, am in tight place, sad Joe in a
low solemn tone.
} Indeed! am sorry to hear it, and
Ben's face wore an expression of sincere
sympathy. Nothing serious hope?'
Il am afraid so.
What can | do for you?' and the young
. merchant took down his check book and
examined the state of his bank account.
: Il can give you check for three hun
dred. it that will do any good continued
he, taking up the pen to fill the blank
Thank you Ben. you are very kind;
, but | don's know as ouyh. TO take
i, H.
Not take il! Why not?'
If should pay this note. there is hard
ly possibility that | could get through
: this month";
so ba | as that? 'Pon my soul, | am
sor to hear i!'
'Smi N lJ,a 1 " 81 m,'o mike m
: asst .nmen'
, How does i happen? lh'a ii. you
were dbl; we'll.
Business has been very dull fpr the
l,s six mon hs. Have you not found i.
!. SOP
Well. no; i: has been diving vi h
me-
Joe knew hal, indeed. his prcsen. Wis
i was not Ia borrow. but To prcpa'e his
: lends for the smash which WIS now un-
: avoilable.