The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-11-10
McGREGOR IOWA. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1853

10, 1853.
US, but now," and he cast his fearful
eyes on his poor wife, while sobs al
most choked his uttsrance, "you be.
hold our situation"
confess ! was not greatly astonished
at the sight of their misery and wretch
edness. for I had anticipated it; the
only wonder with me was hov they had
fallen. Much, however, as l desired TO
know their history, l forebore any allu-
sion to it for the time. resolving to defer
asking any explanation until they were
situated more comfortably than the
wretched hovel indicated. ! raised the
once beautiful girl from the heap of
straw and endeavored to whisper words
of comfort to her. I assured them
that all would yet terminate satisfacto-
rily; and then pleading an important
engagement, l Withdrew, promising to
return in q little time. I did return,
and they left their ricketty abode for
ever. We were soon seated in a hand
some room Of public house in that
neixhborhood. We ate in q cheerful
meal and after we had warmed our SEN
sibilities with sundry glasses of soon
solstion." begged George to give an
account of himself since we had dined
and s0;raed last together; without any
hesitation he proceeded to nsrrate his
fall and punishment of which the fol-
lowing is the substance:
He had gone on swimmingly in bust
ness for period Of three years after l
left America, and every gale brought
him additional wealth. As his affairs
became more and more important, he
was stimulated to greater exertion and
in five years from the time of his com.
mencement in trade he was worth two
hundred thousand dollars. He availed
himself Of the extensive credit he had
acquired, by borrowing large amounts
from the moneyed institutions of the
city; an extensive shipment of cotton
was projected-the vessels set sail and
10 use his own words, 'he thought for.
tune never could desert him. But for
tune is very whimsical, and if We do
not attend to our own business proper
Iy, she pays little regard to former
friendships. she cuts an acquaintance
sometimes very unceremoniously and
leaves her oldest girl. Misfortune. to
close the concern
| An incident. apparently Of most tri.
vial nature, now occurred, which soon
affected his interest materially, and as.
suming more and more strength, ulti.
mstely reduced George from indepen'
dence to beggary-from palace to 6
shed.
He was indebted in the sum Of $500
to the leading newspaper of the city
for advertisements and job priting, and
with most or all of the printing estsb
iishments he had small accounts. II
this immense advertising he said HI
owed his unexampled prosperity in 1
great measure, as, in his language i
carried his sign and the nature Of hi
business to every mans house. Blu
he had neglected. to pay the small sums
that were due for this valuable work
constituting the silence of the printers
into an acknowledgment that the money
was not needed, and considering like
wise that such matters were too small
for serious consideration, he gave him
self no uneasiness about the printers
bills. Some accounts were of long
standing-the largest sum, $500 hsd
been accruing for two and half years
yet as the printer had some persons who
did not forget to remuuerate him for hi:
services. George was permitted to slide
along without being (what some peo
pie call troubled. At length, however
necessity compelled the disciple o.
Faust to make general call on his de
linquent patrons; /; his accountant waited
on Mr. L., and requested payment
Of the bill. He had unfortunately loan
ed q friend the last dollar on hand tc
meet note in Bank-was very sorry
but not possibly pay it then. The wor.
thy printer being severely pressed fol
funds made call on George in person
the next day, and after representing the
indulgence he bad already granted him,
insinuated very strongly that his situa'
tion was such as to deprive him of the
pleasure of any further extension Of the
same courtesy; he concluded by insis.
ting somewhat firmly on its liquidation
1t Is strange, most strange, what trifles
do som times. George had intended to
borrow the money, but the smooth se.
verify and bitter irony of the man ol
types and shadows irritated him, and
sharp words ensued they parted-the
one, feeling himself disappointed and
injured-she other, 'insulted;' but it did
not end here. The really injured man
with the independence lha. is charac.
telis.ic of the Editorial corps, apologised
to the public for the suppression o,
Mr.. LIS advertisements by saying
that he could consent to work for q
man no longer. from whom he received
insult and reproach. when he asked fol
his earnings
George regarded this outbreak as en-.
! sneAy uh"oIshJ MS hotice' euPPoeiHS
that it would blow out of the city with
the next gale but he knew very little
Of the power of the press. Other pre-
sentstions OF printers bills were made
at his counter; some were paid, bu,
such q unanimous call rendered the
merchant outrageous they were almost
ordered out Of the house. In few
days other but less influential presses
joined the first. and they more than
hin.ed at his insolvency. The storm
now became violent. and he began to
discover the i'll consequences Of his
haste. People to whom he owed mon.