The Shasta courier., 1858-10-30
A THORN IN THE MEM DRY.

feelings were easily reached, and these gave,
usually, ready impulse to his actions. But
quick feeling has, in most cases, two-fold
range-warming now into kindly emotion, and
now burning with sudden anger. Your so CALL
ed kind-hearted men often betrayed into
cruel words, and even cruel actions. But there
is this merit about them: when the heat of pas
sion subsidies they repent, and sometimes seek to
heal where they have wounded.
Such was Hartley Bancroft. While the
currents of events ran smoothly along, the sur
face Of his life reflected the unvarying sunshine;
but very little obstruction sufficed to ripple
the waters, and then their aspect darkened.
One day Mr.. Bancroft was sitting at his desk
with pile of checks and bills before him. the
sum of which he was taking preparatory to a
deposit in bank. 1t was late in the day for
him to be figuring up his accounts; but he had
unusually heavy payments to make and the
amount necessary to lift his notes had been OBJ
tanned with difficulty. Mr.. Bancroft felt both
hurried and worried, as his quick nervous move
nents showed.
Just at this inauspicious moment man en-
tered the store, and walked back to where Mr.
Bancroft was sitting.
"Good day, Mr.. Cartwright" |"
There was not very cordial tone in the voice
of Mr.. Bancroft, although the other was Gus
toner who had bought of his goods freely
Good day"
There was an embarrassed air about Mr.
Cartwright.
=" What can | do for you ?" 1t was only a
form of speech on the part of Mr.. Bancroft, or
rather new form OF saying, Don't ask me for
anything"
Now it happened that Mr.. Cartwright was on
that day in very tight place." as it is called.
1t was two o'clock, and all of his efforts to get
the full amount of money needed had failed
Several notes had matured, and among them one
of seven hundred dollars given to Mr. Bancroft.
All but this he had succeeded in lifting and,
frightened at the aspect of things, he had come
very reluctantly to his creditor, whom he only
knew as kind-hearted man, to state the ex-
trernity of his case, and ask check for the
amount of his note temporary loan
al am short seven hundred dollars. Can you
help e?"
"NoP was the answer, made in an emphatic
tone, and with a knitting of the brows.
MIR. Bancroft noticed that his words seemed to
stagger the applicant for money he also noticed
that he grew pale, and had look of singular
distress. But Mr.. Bancroft too much eX-
cited and annoyed for these to have upon him at
that time any right influence.
Then" said Mr.. Cartwright, " you will have
to withdraw my note from the bank | cannot
lift it,"
:" shall do no such thing" angrily replied
Mr.. Bancroft. "Take up your notes, as l take
up mine"
al have failed in all my efforts to get money;
and if you do not withdraw this note, it will be
protested" Mr.. Cartwright said this very delib-
erately, and in firm tone of voice, yet with a
face like ashes
very WE'LL was the unyieldng answer, "let
1t be protested, then; if you can bear the opera
ton, think cam
Coldly, almost sneeringly, were these cruel
words said Mr.. Cartwright urged his case no
further, but turned away and went from the
store of his uuyielding creditor Scarcely had
he passed into the street before the better nature
of Mr.. Bancroft rose into the ascendency, and he
repented of his unkndness
I" William !" he called to a clerk.
The young man came instantly
Make this deposit, William and at the same
time withdraw Mr. Cartwrights note due to-day
Money is hard to get just now, and he is bur
dened with heavy payments. We must give him
helping hand.'
The merchant spoke kindly, not fretfully The
clerk departed with the bank-book and check
of sufficient amount to lift the notes that were
due. Mr.. Bancroft remained sitting at his desk
and from his attitude and the aspect of his
countenance, it was plain that self-approval was
not the pleasant state of mind in which he was
indulging. The vail of momentary angry ex-
eItement was removed, and plainly before
the eyes OF his mind stood his humbled and dis
tressed debtor, toward whom not a single i'm
pulse of kind feeling had stirred. He tried to
hnd refuge from self-upbraidings in the fact
that he had done all his debtor asked-the note
was withdrawn.
Yes" said voice within him. "you have
cast bone, with curses, into the face of beg
garT
Mr. Bancroft started up hurriedIy from his
desk, walked the length of his store returned,
and sat down again. A long, deep sigh parted
4" What could have possessed me. that so far
forgot both duty and kindness 1 would give
twice seven hundred dollars to recall this act |
were it possible to do so"
Drawing sheet ofpaper before him, Mr.. BAN
croft took up pen and wrote:
Mr.. EDWARD CARTWRIGHT:
My Dear Sir: have Withdrawn your note.
Forgive my rough unkindness l was worried
aoont money matters, and had just made up my
against petty annoyances They sometimes dis
turb more than larger things Come in to- morrow
and we will arrange for the renewal of the note.
if you desire it, making the timo suit yourself"
Mr.. Bancroft signed this apologetic letter, and
dispatched it forthwith. He felt more comfort
able after that. Still he suffered some pain from
having given pain, and no little humiliation for
the unamiahle weakness he had manifested
Did you see Mr.. Cartwright 7" he inquired |
of the lad who had taken the note
No, sir, he was not there" was the answer.
I" You left my note ?"
Yes, sir" The boy looked agitated He
stood for moment, as if waiting for further
questions, and then said
They were just driving him away in car
riage-v
/" What ?" Mr.. Bancroft turned pale
:, iney said he had broken blood-ves.eI.p
hr. bancroft started to his feet with an excla-
nation OF mingled surprise and pain.
There was blood on the floor
Mr.. Bancroft groaned aloud. After reaect;nc
Tor a moment he took up his hat and went out
hurriedly. walk of FIVE minutes brought him
TO the store of Mr.. Cartwright.
What was the cause of this ?u he asksd of
one of the clerks Did he fall? or was he
lifting anything?n
No, answered the clerk q he was sitting At
his desk, resting his head upon his hands, when
heard him call in quick voice. and turning
round, saw the blood flowing from his MOUTH