Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-02-12

Almost any reader can imagine the trials, dis
appointment, and humiliations attendant on the
work he had taken on hand AT two O'Clock,
Mir. Oglethorpe found himself still short about
five hundred dollars Where was the amount
to come from? He had exhausted every re-
source within his reach, and, in order to col
lect his thoughts, had returned to his place of
business. Weary, wretched, and sick, in body
and mind, was the poor, harrassed almost bro
ken-down borrower. Thought turned every
where but could discover no new resource.
perhaps something might be obtained from
Spicer, was at last suggested But the sug-
gestion was thrown aside as soon as offered. 1t
came up again. was reyolved for moment or
two, and again dismissed,
at will never do to give it upp A feeling
of desperation caused Mr.. Oglethorpe to start
to his feet, as he said this. Something must
be done. l will see Spicer. He can help me,
and hemust."
And without waiting for reconsideration, he
started forth again. A rapid walk brought
him, in a few minutes, to the store of Mr..
Spicer.
event home an hour ago." was the answer
which met his inquiry.
''Do you expect him to return before three
O'Clock 2"
''No. He is unwell and said on leaving,
that he would not be at the store again to-day"
Miserable, Mr.. Oglethorpe turned slowly
away,
at is my last chance, said he to himself, as
he gained the street. "This man must be
seen, or all is lost"
And so he went to the house of Mr. Spicer
"Who2Rnts to see me! 2" He heard this in
terrogation made in no amiable tone as the
servant who answered the bell went back to
announce the visitor. To the servants reply,
came the further uuestiOn
"Did you say l was in?"
eyes, sir"
"Contound him! What does he come both
ering me here for! Show him in"
1t was too late to retreat Feeling like a
culprit, poor Oglethorpe, with a fororn aspect
entered the room where Spicer awaited him.
well, sir What's wanted 90 roughly in
terrogated the bear in his den.
III am short to-d-d-day, a few hundred
dollars, stamnered out Ogethorpe.
Well, what's that to me z" returned Spicer,
with a roughness akin to his nature.
Nothing-only- you see it's hard on
to three O'Clock, and-and-"
Oglethorpe choked, and could say no more.
'WeH,' growled Spicer, "et three o'clock
come, and the quicker it comes, the better for
you, and all miserable fools like you
"Sir!' This outrage penetrated beyond the
borrower, and reached the man. Oglethorpe's
crlnging manner gave way to an erecter atti-
tude, and his face of depressed solicitation
changed its look to one of indignant feeling
'Sir, this is mean as well as cruel" he said
with stenness of tone that added anger to
the other ill nature, and make him still more
reckless Of speech
"Ihe truth may always be spoken, and if
it hurts, it is because it tells home" retorted
Spicer, with increased asperi of manner.
You are Il miserable fool and have been play
ing the fool over year, as all other men do
who start upon that worst of all fools errands,
borrowing themselves out of debt man may
work himself out Of debt, but he might as well
try to empty the ocean with an oyster shell
as to borrow himself out of debt There sir
you have my sentiments and hope they will
do you good"
Without a word of reply, Mr.. Oglethorpe
turned away, and left the house The truth
which came from the lips of Spicer was
sharp sword that cut away down in the heart
of conviction.
eyes, l am a fool" he muttered between his
teeth, as he strobe Off 81 was a fool to take
knave's advice in the beginning, and a great
er fool not to have discovered my folly. Three
O'Clock may come now. The vain struggle is
over The long-dreaded day is here. l am
ruined man"
just two thousand dollars worse off was Mr..
Ogethorpe than when he began the task of
trying to borrow himself out of debt. Ne
glect of business and excessive interest were
the causes that produced this result. But his
creditors were not hard upon him. They
knew the man to be honest at heart, and pitied
his misfortunes Full time to ,corE himself
out of trouble was granted and he did Work
himself out, though it cost him years of active
devotion to business.