St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-01-07
Mestuarb tbe Gourse Of empire takes its dNap."

Give me your note, Mr.. Worral
, backed by good security, and | will
then think more leniently of the mat
ter"
Harry's brow contracted. He lean
ed against the desk for support as h
/ murmured:
" Backed by good security! Wha
is the amount, Redgree ?"
, Seventeen thousand and thre
, hundred"
so large sum as that! Backec
: by good security"
81 have no time to parley or uuib
: bic, Mr.. Worral, you shall have unit
evening to turn yourself, if you fail t,
make satisfactory arrangements at tha
time, must bring suit against yot
according to law" and the man wheel
ed, bowed and left the store.
\ "Maric, Marie, for thy sake, my wife
| would avert this blow. Lovely, in
nocent, thou hast seen much of trouble
since thy welded life began--and all
occasioned by him whom thou callest
husband. Would that l had taken
the advice of friends, then might my
character have been unimpeachable
ay, free from the charge of perjury
But wherefore regret, or what avail
eth contrition now? 1t is folly to talk
of a mans eXtricating himself when he
is lost, or, by his own power, reviving
himself when he is dead.n
While such thoughts were rapidly
revolving through the mind of Harry,
the feelings of the creditor who had
just left the store were of a different
cast. The bill which he held against
the retail house of Henry Worral had
been contracted little by little. The
rich mercer trembled when he heard
it whispered around that dissipation
had squandered the magnificent for
tune Of his debtor, and with an eve to
his own interests he set about invest
igatlng the matter. Investigation
confirmed suspicion, and it was with
a troubled heart he turned from the
store of the young merchant.
Mr. Redgrec wended his way to an
attorneys Office, and seating himself
III close proximity to the silver-haired
lawyer, commenced conversation in
low tone ofvoice. His speech was
hurried, and his actions excited, but
| his words were indstnct.
The clock struck ten, and he arose
to go, Just as the door swung back
and admitted a dark-visaged, stout
built man, who glanced first at the
lawyer then at Redgree, and address.
ing the latter said:
:" Mr.. Redgree of the firm of Red.
gree, Hook & Coz"
"The same, SIR was the business
like answer
You have bill against Henry
Worral ?"
IL have sir.'
what is the amount ?"
"Thc amount ?" and the mercer
fixed his eyes upon the stranger as he
continued, care you authorized to
settle his affairs, or are you like my
self an unfortunate creditor, and be-
lieving misery loves company seek
my sympathy and -
" | ask you simple question, sir,
and when you have answered it you
shall know the cause, and be we'll
pleased too, trow"
Well, then, seventeen thousand
and three hundred dollars
The stranger seated himself. filled
ont blank check, which he took from
his Pass Book, and handed it to the
mercer.
Write me receipt for the
amount said the stranger.
A receipt How do know shall
ever see the first cent of this ~
Do You mistrust me Look at the
signature"
Mr.. Redgree glanced at the check
and read:
"JoHN G. jones'"
"Jones-John--my memory either
proves me false or else you are trying
to dupe me-" and he looked the said
Jones full in the face as if trying to
recall his features.
The first is true," and the stranger
curled his lip in derision, but to the
business. | wish to cancel the debt
in question. My gold is as good as
any ones. Draw the money, sir, and
give me receipt"
While the stranger was still speak
ing, the mercer had seated himself
and ere long handed him receipt for
the amount. He took il, left the Office
and was soon lost in the crowded
| thoroughfarc.
Harry in the meantime was trying
to procure a surety, but to no purpose.
A few short months ago he could, with
the asking, have obtained the name of
any wholesale house in the city for
any amount; but now friends were
suspicious, and by way of excuse
shielded themselves behind the old
fortress of Hard Times" Every
body sympathized with Mr.. Worral
and sincerely hoped he would be sue
cessful. The world is still full of Jobs
comforters, and nowhere are they so
numerous O in the higher walks of
life.
Foot-wcary and heartsick he re-
turned from his fruitless labor, and
throwing himself in the ample arm
chair of his counting-room buried his
head in his hands. Was there no way
to conceal the truth from Marie, must
she know the real state of his circum-
stances? Had she not drank deep
enough of the bitter waters of trouble
already? Had not his partial intoxi
cation, the irritability and peevish
ness exhibited at such times thrown a
heightened shadow across the sun-dia
of her life? Aye, it had; and besides
too, he remembered a promise, solemn
ly made to Marie and to Coda prom
) ise of reform. Her hopes must not
; should not be blasted in the bud, ant
! seizing his hat he sailed forth once
y more to try the cold charities Of al
unfeelng world.
"Mr. Eberlie," said a domestic
:. "Mr. Worral has called to see you, AM