, 1859-02-18
POOR FAUNTLERoY.

NAS Just bstIallS up Ill DublhcoS VII my Ohh ~
count. My father had been well acquainted for
many years with Mr.. Fauntleroy, Of the famous
London banking firm Of Marsh, Stracey, Faunt-
leroy, and Graham. Thinking it might be Of some
future service to me to make ny position known
to great man in the commercial world, my father
mentioned 10 his highly respected friend that !
was about to start in business for myself in very
small way, and with very little money. Mr..
| Fauntleroy received the intimation with q kind
appearance Of interest; and said that he would
have his eye on me. Icxpected from this that he
would wait to see il ! could keep on my legs at
starting; and that, il he found succeeded pretty
well, he would then help me forward II it lay in
his power. As events turned out, he proved to
be a far better friend than that; and he soon
showed me that had very much underrated the
hearty and generous interest which he had felt
in my welfare from the first
While was still fighting with the first diiii-
culties Of setting up my office, and recommending
myself to my connection, and so forth, got a
messaSe from Mr.. Fauntleroy, telling me to call
on him, at the banking house, the first time /
was passing that way. As you may easily ina
gine, contrived to be passing that way on par
ticular occasion; and, on presenting myself at
the bank, was shown at once into Air, Faunt-
leroys private room. .--
He was as pleasant man to speak to as ever
met with--bright and gay and companionaole
in his manners-with sort Of easy, hearty jovial
bluntness about him that attracted everybody.
The clerks all liked him-and that is something
to say Of partner in banking house, can tell
you'll
"wcH, young Trowbridge, " says he, giving his
papers on the table brisk push away from him,
so you are going to set up in business ior your
self arc you? l have great regard Tor your
father, and great wish to see you succeed.
Have Won started yetP-No? Just on the point
Of bcginning-ohs Very good. You will have
your difficulties, my friend-and l mean to
smooth one Of them away for you at the onset.
A word Of advice for your private eaE-bahK
with us" a y. H
"You are very kind, sir" answered, "and
should ask nothing better than to profit by your
suggcsiion-ifI / could. But my expenses are
very heavy at starting and when they are all
paid, am afraid shall have very little left to put
BY for tho first year doubt If l shall be able
10 muster much more than f300 Of surplus cash
in the world, after paying what must pay, before
] set up my office. And should be ashamed to
trouble your house, sir, to open an account for
such trihc as that .H I.+l 7-. cin f7si
"Stuff and nonscnsel" says Mr.. Fauntleroy.
al Are you banker? What business have you
to offer an opinion on the matter? Do as l tell
yol-leave II to mc-bank with us-and draw
Tor what you like. Stop! haven't done yet
When you open the account, speak TO the head
cashier. Perhaps you may find he has some
thing to tell you. Therel there! go away
don't interrupt me-good- -byc-God Bless you !"
That was his way-ah, poor fcllOwl that was
his way Hre .r
went to the head cashier the Lext morning,
when opened my little modicum Of an account
lie had received orders to pay my drafts without
reference to my balance. My cheques, when l
had overdrawn, were to be privately shown to
Mr.. Fauntleroy. Do many young men who start
in business find their prosperous supCriOrs ready
to hop them in that wayS
We'll, got on--got on very fairly and stead
iy; being careful not to venture out Of my depth,
and not 10 forget that small beginnings may lead
in time to great ends. A prospect Of one Of
those great ends-great, mean, to such small
trader as was at that pefiod-showed itself to
me, when hadbccn some little time IN business.
In plain terms, had a chance Of joining in a
frstrate tralsaI ton, which would give me pro-
fit aud position and everything ] wanted, pro-
viled ! could qualify myself for engaging in it
by getting good security beforehand for very
large amount
In this emergency, thought of my kind friend,
Mr.. Fauntleroy, and went to the bank, and saw
him once more in his private room.
There he was at the same table, with the same
heap Of papers about him, and the same hearty,
easy way Of speaking bis mind to you at once. in
tho fcwest possible words. Iexplained the bust
ness came upon, with some little hesitation and
nervousness; for | was afraid he might think that
| was taking an unfair advantage Of his former
kindness to inc. When had done, he just
no ldcd his head, snatched up blank sheet Of
paper, scribblcd few lines on Il, in his rapid
way, handed the writing to me, and pushed me
out Of the room by tho shoulders before could
soy single word looked at the paper in the
outer Office. II was my security from that great
banking house for the whole amount, and for
more, IL more was wanted.
could not express my gratitude then; and
don't know that can describe II now. lean only
say that It has outlvcd the crime, the disgrace,
and the awful death on the scaiIold Tam grieved
to speak Of that death at ALL But I have no
other alternative. The course Of my story must
now lead me straight on to the later time, and to
the terrible discovery which exposed my bene-
factor and my friend to all England as the forgcr
Fsuntleroy.
| must ask you to suppose lapse of some
| time after the occurrence Of the events that |
have just been relating During this interval,
thanks to the kind assistance I had received at
the outset my position as a man Of business had
greatly improved. Imagine me now, if you
please, on the high road to prosperity with good
IlutBc OlHCesJ anu rcSpectaOle StaH OF clerks
and picture me to yourselves sitting alone in my
private room, between four and five o'clock, on q
certain Saturday afternoon.
All my letters had been written, all the people
who had appointments with mo had been re-
ceived-I was looking earcleSsly over the news.
paper, and thinking about going home, when one
Of my clerks came In, and said that stranger
wished to see me Immediately on very important
business
"Did be mention bis uams!' inquired.
j "NO, sir" .