Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-02-25

Virgins was IN earnest, ana ne maze
them comprehend it IL another letter
That brought them of by the next boat
from New York.
Joel Virgins was getting frightened.
The banks threw him out altogether. and
he was at the mercy Of the shavers.
But few country merchants had been in,
and few of them brought money. Sales
were light against an unusually large
stock of goods, which could aot be forced
on the market and sold for half their val
ne. His country house had cost him ten
thousand dollars. He mortaged it for
Eve. Tried a second mortgage for three
thousand more, but nobody bid. 1t must
he sold then-matters were pressing
Mr.. Virgins announced the fact at home,
like one who expected a strife. 1t came.
| Mrs. Wiggins and Araminta Jane were
astonished and indignant.
Never said Mrs. Virgins.
"Never p cried Araminta Jane.
What will the people say at this com
ing down ~ inquired Mrs. Virgins.
at will kill me!' sobbcd Araminta
Jane, who had caught a beautiful bean at
Newport aud was expecting offer for mar
riage every day.
"They'll say that Joel Virgins has
been living too fast,n was answered blunt
~, " and they'll say the truth. "a no
business with a country house yetawuilo.~
You'll put down the carriage next.l
suppose said Araminta Jane. iudlg.
nanLy. not really meaning to be nderstood
as in dread ofthe extreme measure, but
rather intending her words as a cutting
rebuke.
"Just SOL replied Mr.. Virgins, who.
now the ice was broken at the edge OF
the stream, felt his courage rise into a
desperate resolution to SO through
2 Just SO, my dear the carriage must al
so be nut down, and Mrs. Wiggins and
Ararninta Jane will have to walk or take
sixpenny rides in the omnibus. Neeessi
ty knows no law"
We will not describe the scene that
followed. Mrs. Virgins was at first
indignant !. but after a while she Gained
down and hardened a little TO reason
Araminta Jane indulged in q fit Of hys
%terics, from which she did not recover
for some hours. But Mr.. Joel Virgins
WIS lncNOrablc.
On the next day the country honse was
advertised for sale. On the next day
came the startling announcement Of the
failure of the Ohio Life and Trust CO.
And then-but the disastrous events that
followed arc Of too recent occurrence TO
require a word Of detail. Joel Virgins
was born down in the general crush, a
fact that will ir no way surprise the read
err. Mrs. Virgins was inconsolable Tor a
time-Araminta Jane in despair. Oh.
the disgrace Of coming down! 1t seemed
as If it would kill them. The carriage
went. Of course. and with it the capped ard
banded coaehman. The folly had gone
that far,
The broken Motion merchant who
had kept his carriage and boosted a coan-
try house. called together his criditors
and made an exhibit Of his affairs. Alas!
the column Of assets did not footu up as large
as the liabilities, by MANY thousands Of
dollars. The discount and interest also
showed o fearful balance on the rong side.
Thirty thousand dollars had been paid for
tie use of money in less than five years
Mr.. Virgins owed eighty-three thousand
dollars. and his nominal assets wore sixty
four. So much for the rich merchant.
who had set up his carriage. and sent his
wife and daughter to see high life and
spend money at Saratoga and Newport.
He represents a class. and is rather a
favorable specimen. for Mr.. Virgins real
" meant to be honest, but the infataation
of the times led him into the error.
The creditors Of Virgins was net hard
on him. They agreed to except forty
cents on the dollar, taking his note Of six.
eighteen and twenty-four months in set
cement. A few wanted to close him up.
They were outraged at the country house
aud carriage part Of the business but
the majority pittied poor Virgins. who
was deeply Inundated, AID almost ready
to shoot himself in despair.
I'VE must give up this house." said SSIIr.
Virgins, on returning home from the
meeting Of his creditors. He spoke like
a mansin earnest. Mrs. Virgins started
and flushed Araminta Jane turned pale.
"Your creditors have not been so ex-
acting, SO very cruel!"
Are you nothing but selfish fools =
exclaimed Mr.. Virgins, his wrath leap
ing we all barriers. Hard cruel |!
They have been kinder than I had dared
to hope for.
"Oh. then We will not be forced to
move from here sobhed Araminta Jane.
I" 1t would kill me. I could not survive
she humiliation You must not think of
it, Pa.
1T is thought and Of decided said
the reselute Mr.. Virgins. 4Hhe bubble
has burst, and | am a bankrupt. We
went up like a rocket, and now VIC are
coming down like a stick
But ~e will economise,p said Mr..
Virgins.
"We1l send away the waiter, and LET
the clambermaid attend the door and ia
bic
The cook can attend to the door, and
we'll wait on ourselves at the table. E
won't be the first time in our lives! +,
for one, shall feel relieved. 1t always
annoys me to have a waiter gaping at me
while | eat.
Poor Araminta Jane was in despair.
I'VE can't get ali our furniture into a
smaller house, said Mrs. Virgins.
Worry true" said Mr.. Virgins. tive
thought Of that. Well have a sale and
get rid Of the costly lumber that surrounds
US. Palmer furniture will suit better our
reduced style Of living, and-lny honora,
BILE purposes