The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-15

v
! into his arms, and glad voice cxclaim
ed ....f.o .H...
"a happy New Year, Papa!"
When Mr.. Edgar arrived at his store,
his feelings towards Mr.. James wcro very
different from what they were on the day
previous. All anger-all resentment
were gone, and kindness had taken their
place. What if Mr.. James did owe him
a thousand dollars! What il hc should
lose the whole amount of this indebted
ness! Was the condition Of the former
so much better than his own, that he
would care to change places with him
The very idea caused a shudder to run
along his nerves. ..."
"Poor man." he said to himself, pity.
ingly. "What terrible thing to be thus
involved in debt-thus crippled, thus
driven to the wall. 1t would kill me =
Men are very cruel to each other, and l
am cruel with the rest. What arc a
thousand dollars to me or q thousand
dollars to my well-to-do neighbor COM
pared to the ruin Of a helpless fellowman.
James asked time; in two years he was
sure that he could recover himself and
make all good. But, with heartlessness
that causes my cheek to burn as l think
Of il, answered-.the first loss is always
the best loss. will get what can, and
let the balance CO." The look he then
gave me, has troubled my conscience
ever since. No wonder it is not happy
New Year"
Scarcely had Mr.. Edgar passed the
dwelling of his unfortunate creditor,
when the latter who had been walking
the floor OF his parlor in troubled state
Of mind, came to the window and stood
by his child, who was dear TO him as a
child could be to the heart of father.
"IIappy New Year, Papa" 1t was
the third time since morning dawn that
he had received this greeting from the
same sweet lips, the third time that the
twining arms of his little one had been
thrown around his ncck-the third time
that her kisses were given with the heart
warmth of clildhood's unsclfsh love.
Mr.. James tried to give back the same
glad greeting, but the words seemed to
choke him, and failed in the uttcrancc.
AS the two stood by the window, the wife
and mother came up, and leaning against
her husband, looked forth, with a sad
heart. Oh no. 1t was not happy
new years morning to them. Long be-
fore the dawning Of another year, they
must 80 forth from their pleasant home I;
and both their hearts shrunk back in fear
from the dark beyond.
"Good morning, dear" said Mr.. James,
soon afterwards, as with hat and coat and
mufiler on, he stood ready to go forth to
meet the business trials Of the day. His
voice was depressed, and his countcnauce
sad. Mrs. James did not say good
morning. in turn. But her husband saw
the motion of her lips and the tears in
her eyes, and he knew what was in hcr
heart.
The business Of that day was painful
one for Mr.. James. The only creditor
who had commenced suit, was Mr.. Ed.
gar, he having declined entering into any
arrangement with the other creditors,
cOldly saying that, in his opinion, "thc
first loss was always the best loss" and
that extensions were, in most cases equiv.
, alent to the abandonment of claim. He
was willing to take what the law would
} give him. Pursuant to this view, sui,
had been brought, and the debtor, to an.
ticipate the result, confessed judgment to
two Of his largest creditors, who honora.
. bly, bound themselves to see that pro.
rata division was made of all his effects,
The business of this New Years Day
was to draw up as complete statemen,
as possible of his affairs, and Mr.. James
went about the work with heavy heart
He had been engaged in this way fol
over an hour, when one Of his clerks
came to the desk where he was writing,
, and handed him letter which a lad had
! just brought in. He broke the seal witt
nervous forcboding Of trouble, for, o.
late, these letters by the hands Of private
l messengers had been frequent, and rare
ly Of an agreeable character. From the
; envelope, as he commenced Withdrawing
the letter, there dropped upon the desl
a narrow piece of paper, folded like a bill
He took it up with almost reluctant fin
gers, and slowly pressed back the ends Sc
as to read its face, and comprehend it,
: import. Twice his eyes went over the
{ brief lines, before he was clear as to theil
meaning. They were as follows:
!, Received, January l, ls-, of Abran
! James One Thousand Dollars in full O
! all demands. HIRAM EDGAR.
Hurnedly, now, did Mr.. James unfold
:. the letter that accompanied this receipt
! Its language moved him deeply:
ADRAM JAMES. ESQ., Dear sir: wa