The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-02-05

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They'll say that Joel Virgins has
been living too fast was answered blunt
ly; 'and they'll say the truth; I'd no
business with a country house yet a.
while r
You'll put down the carriage next, l
suppose ! said Aramintinta Jane, indig-
nantly, not, really meaning to be un'
dcstood as in dread Of that extreme
measure, but rather intending her words
as a cutting .rebuke. rn
Just So replied Mr.. Wiggins, who,
now the ice was broken at the edge of
the stream, felt his courage rise into a
desperate resolution to go through
Just, so, my dear; the carriage will have
to be put down, and Mrs. Virgins and
Araminta Jane must walk, or take six
penny rides in the omnibus. Necessity
knows no law" ..r ....
We will not describe the scene that
followed. Mrs. Wiggins was at first in
dignant; but after a while she calmed
down, and hcarkened little to reason.-
Araminta Jane INDUCED in fit Of hyster-
les, from which she did not recover for
some hours. But Mr.. Joel Wiggins was
incxorablc. .
On the next day the country house
was advertised for sale. On the next
came the startling announcement OF the
failure Of the Ohio Life and Trust Com
pany. And thcn- but the disastrous
events which followed are Of too recent
occurrence to require a word Of detail.
Joel Virgins was borne down in the gen.
eral crash, fact that will in no way sur.
prise the reader. Mrs. Wiggins was in
consolable for time; Araminta Jane in
despair. Oh, the disgrace Of coming
down. 1t seemed as if it would kill them.
The caraiage went, Of course, and with it
the capped and banded coachman. The
folly had gone that far.
The broken Motion merchant, who
had kept his carriage, ndboasted coun-
try hou.e, called together his creditors,
and made an exhibit of his affairs. Alas
the column of assets did not foot up as
large as the column of liabilities, by many
thousands of dollars. The discount and
interest account showed fearful balance
on the wrong side. Thirty thousand dol.
lars had been paid for the use Of money
in less than four years! Mr.. Wiggins
owed eighty.thrce thousand dollars, and
his nominal assets were sixty-four! So
much for the rich merchant, who had set
up his carriage, and sent his wife and
daughter to see high life aud spend mon.
ey at Saratoga and Newport! He repre-
scnts class, and is rather a favorable
specimen; for Mr.. Wiggins really meant
to be honest, but the initiation Of the times
led him into error. .
The creditors of Wiggins was not hard
on him. They agreed to accept forty
cents on dollar, taking his notes at six,
twelve, eighteen and twenty.four months,
in settlement. A few wanted to close him
up. They were outraged at the country
house and the carriage part of the busi-
uess; but the majority pitied poor Wig
gins, who was deeply Inundated and al
most ready to shoot himself in despair.
we must give up this house ! said Mr..
Wiggins, on returning home from the
meeting of his creditors. He spoke like
a man in earnest. Mrs. Wiggins started
and flushed; Araminta Jane turned pale.
your creditors have not been so exact
ing, so cruel
Are you nothing but selfish fools cx-
claimed Mr.. Wiggins, his wrath lcaping
over all barriers. Hard, cruel! They
have been kinder than / had dared to
hope for
'Oh, then we will not be forced to
move from here 7 sobbed Araminta Jane.
1t would kill me. could never survive
the humiliation. You must not think Of
it, Pa
1T is thought Of and decided said the
rcsolutc Mr.. Wiggins. The bubble has
burst. and | am now bankrupt. We
went up like rocket, and now we are
coming down like the stick H.g
But We will economise, said Mrs. Wig
gins.
Il know YOU will, for necessity knows
no law, was answered. ....
We'll send away the waiter, and let
the chamber-maid attend the door and
table, .. :.
The cook can attend the door, and
well wait on ourselves at the table. 1t
won't be the first time in our lives. i,
for one, shall feel relieved. l. always
annoys me to have waiter gaping at me
while / cat
Poor, Araminta Jane was in despair.
we can't get all our furniture into a
smaller house. said Mrs. Virgins. m
Very true replied Mr.. Wiggins I've
thought Of that. Wen have sale and
get rid Of the costly lumber that sur