Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-04-30
The Two Merchants.
OR A GOOD INVESTMENT.


establish myself ina small retail business =
inquired young man not yet out of his teens, Of
a middle aged gentleman, who was pouring over
a pile of ledgers in the counting room of oneof
the largest establishments in Boston. The per-
son addressed turned towards the speaker ard re-
gardng him for moment wiha look of sur
prise, inquired:
"What security can you give me, nc MI.
Strosser I"
"Nothine but my note. = replied the young
man promptly.
Which fear would be below par ndhe
market" replied the merchant smiling.
4 Perhaps 50. the yosng man / ftsFaisds sfsst
Mr.. Barton, remember that the boy is not the&
man the time may come when Hiram Strosser's
note will be as readily accepted as that of any
other man.
/" True, very true," replied Mr.. Barton, mild
y. "but you know business men seldom loan
money without adequate socurity-otherwise
they might soon he reduced to penury.
AT this moment the young mans countenance
became deadly pale, and having observed ST.
lence of several moments, he inquired In
voice whose tones indicated keen dsappont-
ment:
"Then you cannot accommodate me, can
you!"
| "Call upon me Tomorrow and will give
you reply" said Mr.. Barton and the young
man retired.
Mr. Barton resumed his labors at the desk
but his mind was so much upon the boy and his
singular errand, that he could uo, pursue his
task with any correctness, and having made
several sad bunders he closed the ledger, and
took his hat and went out upon the street. Ar
irving opposite the door of wealthy merchant
in Milk street, he entered The door.
"Good morning Mr.. Hawley,' said he ap-
preaching the proprietor OF the estab shment,
who was seated at his desk, counting over the
profits of the week.
"Good morning. replied the merchant bland
y, "happy to see you have seat Any
news, how's trade" ..
Without noticing these interrogations, Mr..
Barton said: 4"
"Young Srosser is desirous of establishing
himself in small retail business in Washington
) street, and called this morning to secure Of me
loan of two thousand dollars for that pur-
: pose"
+" Indeed !" exclaimed Mr.. Hawly. evidently
surprised at that announcement but you do
not think of oaning him that sum, do you"
81 do not know" replied Mr. Barton," Mr..
4 }Strosser is young sRaaa ef kasiness aaleasaG
t strict integrity, and will be likely 10 succsedin
: whatever he undertakes"
{ perhaps So said Mr.. Hawly, doutifully
o 6 But am heartily tired of helping to re-es.
tabiish those young arpitants for commercial
u honors," o
j. Have you ever suffered any from such a
6 course!" inquired Mr.. Barton, at the same lime
casting roguish glance at Mr.. Hawly.
l "No," replied Mr.. l1awly, " for never felt
d inclined to make an investment of the kind"
" Then there is fine opportunity to do SO. II
may prove better than the stock in the bank
AS for myself have concluded that if you vii
+ advance one thousand dollars, will contribute
= an equal sum-
q "Not single farhing would | advance fo
D. such purpose and if you make an inveslmen
n of that kind, | shall consider you very fool
ish."
Mr. Barton sbserved silence for several mo
III ments, and then rose TO depart. R
u "If you do not feel disposed to share will
or me in the enterprise, shall advance thewho
sum myself" Saying which, he left the store.
~ Ten years have passed away since the occur
. renee of the conversation recorded in TIE pre-
" ceding dialogue and Mr.. Barton, pale and az
- itated, is standing at the same desk as whe
:" fist introduced to the readers attention. A
~ page after page of his ponderous ledger wa
y. ", examined, his despair became deeper and deep
~ er, til at last he exclaimed
:, II am ruined-utterly ruined y
"How so 7" inquired Hiram Strosser, VIII
entered the counting room in season to hear MI
Barton remark.
!. 1.-The last European steamer brought new
of the failure of the house of Perich, Jackso
g. Co.. London, who are indebted to me in tn
:, sum of nearly two hundred thousand dollars
=. News of the failure has become general, an
IN my creditors are pabic-strickea, are pressing
nv paper to be cashiered. The banks refus
l.. credit and have not the means TO meet my !
~ abilities If could pass this crisis. perhaT
i, / could rally again, but il is impossible; m
=, creditors are importunaie, and cannot muc
longer keep above the tide" replied Mr., Ba
,,o ton.
>. What is the extent of your liabilities 7" il
quired Strosser
Seyenty-ive thousand dollars" replied NJ
do Barton.
Would that sum be sufficient TO relie'
-, you'"
-. at would"
=. "lhen sir you shall have it," said Strosser,
he stepped up to the desk and drew check
o.0 seventy five thousand dollars. Here, take tn
anu WHEN you heeu more uo not neslate 10 C
on ne. Remember that il was from you
ceved money to establish myself in business
But thu, debt was cancelled several We,
llh- 60, replied Mr.. barton as ray of hope 81
cut across his troubled mind.
fol- " "rrue,' replied Strosser, butthe debt
dis gratitude that owe, has never been cancel
elng and now the scale is turned deem it my d.
ron. 70 onrna tn the rascna ;, Al ihis ular L,