Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-09


cation into the state of my affairs, had it not
been necessary that this partner should know
my standing in the community, and my means
and capacity, before making an engagement.
81 felt satisfied from the examination just
mentioned, that we could stand any ordinary
pressure but judged it prudent and advisable
to retrench in our expenses, and curtail every
thing possible, without incnrrng an accusa-
tion OF meanness and parsimony. And your
mother will tell you how carefully we studied
and contrived in our household managements
and arrangements, to make both ends meet,
and a little more. We dispensed with one of
our servants, provided palmer dishes for salts
lying our appetites, examined our wardrobes,
a nd where garments could be made rcspecta-
BILE by little mending and repairing, such a.
mendments were made, without much sacri-
flee to comfort, or any to our gentlllty
and, in fact, SO changed the order of things at
home, as to conform as far as need be with the
change in the times, and the direful necessi
ties of the dangerous and trying hour.
ssAs in prosperous times had always been
| in the habit of consulting freely with my old
friend and former employer, Mr.. Sargent, SO
now, as changes appeared in the financial ho
rizOn, often sought his private room and held
long and serious consultations as to mode of
action, and seldom attempted any extensive
operation without first obtaining his counsel
and advice; for in this, | felt strength; and
| used to return to my store my home, in
express.
s.The old man had a son of about my age,
and, though like his father in many respects,
was somewhat wild, and fond of playing pranks
and practical jokes, without considering as
much as he should have done, what results
might be produced from his folly.
ave had one day made, as we believed, am
pie provision for meeting some immense sums
that were due on the day ensuing; and Mr..
| Sargent, knowing from long experience that
he conld trust TO our punctuality and promp-
titude, had agreed to loan us ten thousand
dollars, which we much needed and for
which sum we were to receive his check on
the following morning.
! "PleaSed With the prospect of this assistance,
/ so cheerfully offered, particularly when conf
| dence, the grand watch-word in all mercantile
| pariance, had become to be considered at such
low ebb,I was surprised ,on arriving at our store
| the next morning, to find on my private desk,
| the following note from the man of few words:
! .sInda street, October 7, 1887.
! ssSIR: l cannot let you have the amount
| offered you yesterday. Yours, etc.
JAMES SARGENT.
| Surprised, astonished, and alarmed be-
/ yond measure, rose hastily from my chair;
| and without one word to my partner (although
| [ saw he noticed my troubled look), ran, or
| rather flew, with note in hand, to Mr.. Sar-
/ gents office.
| 81 entered it, and closing the door behind
| me, found the old man alone, looking as
/ sternIy as he used to do, when | had sold
| lot of bags of coffee or casks of sugar at too
low price but being now neither coffee nor
sugar in the case this time, could only wait
! his motions, though was not at all prepared
| for the blast that followed.
sGlancDg at the note l still held in my
| hand, and which agitated and shook in my
trembling fingers, he broke out in words 'not
! loud, but deep:
| $50. sir,you had large party at your house
| last night, and from the line Of carriages
saw, as l accidentally passed through your
street, it must have been JAM
| There uas large party there replied.
- sOf course there was, sir, of course there
| was-I said so; and plenty of music, eh =
ssTo this also assented, and was about to
| add something in addition TO my reply when
| he shut me up with:
| Fine times these. sir, to- frivoIties of
| this sort, when every body is failing, and GO
ing by the board glad your business will
| admit of it, mine won't-glad your are so
prosperous. upon my word, sir-wish you well,
| sir-hope your wife is well, sir; but look here,
sir {: when any money is wanted in your busi-
ness, don't come to me for it. | withdraw my
| offer of yesterday-not word, be silent, sir
l won't have my money go to pay fdders and
harpists, in such sad times as these. You
ought to be ashamed of it, sir Don't think
! l say so because might think | ought to have
been invited, sr-far from it, sir
ssThis was long speech for him to make,
and as he would not be interrupted, was
obliged to let him tire himself ont and while
he was whipping the moisture that had collected
on his forehead in his impatience, found op-
portunity to reply.
| sThere 1cas large party at my house last
evening, do not hesitate to allow-and | as
sure you / regret it at this times but it was
none of my gathering, as your son William
| will inform you, if you will but call him in
| and sneak with him. | believe he will call it
a SURPRISE PARTY
s.My William, indeed Say not another
word sir; it must have been one of his pranks,
then; the fellow is too full of fun, old as he
is grown. W illam = called he, opening the
door.
ellis son entered, and the father resumed ::
My son, your folly last night had we'll
nigh caused this old friend OF ours serious
| trouble =
6. 81 did not said William, Imagine that
| my collecting party, unknown to Mr.. DAVIS,
at his house, and providing by subscription
for the occasion, SO that no expense, except
fhe loss of his usual family circle and news
| paper, should accrue to him, would be the
occasion of single unpleasant feeling or
heartburning.
"It is sufficient, my son. Enough has
been said. Forgive an old man, Mr.. Davis,
for doubling your prudence; but such times
as these, we must be guarded. There is my
check, use it, sir, without interest, until
call it in.'
4 81 thanked him in silence, and pressed his
hand. Twenty years have rolled by, my
daughter. since that eventful day. He never
.called it in = but when he died, which he dld
not long ago, a clause in his Will maze this
deed of gift.
ssDeI;ver me from another SURPRISE PARTY,
for who knows in what condition may be found
tho recipient of the so-called favor 3''