The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-01-25


arrangement with the other creditors, codIy
SAYING, that in his apinion. the first loss
WAS ALWAYS the best loss and that exten-
SONS were, ~ most Cases, equivalent TO the
abandonment Of a claim. lie was willing to
take what the law would give him. Pursu-
ant to this view, suit had been brought,
aud the debtor, to anticipate the result, con.
fessed Judgment to two of his largest cred
ilnrs. WIN honorably bound themselves to
see that pro rata division was made Of all
his effects.
The business of this New Years day. was
to draw up as complete a statement as posi-
bic OF his affairs, and Mr.. James wen, abou:
\ the work with heavy heart. He had been
eegaged in this way Tor over as hour. when
one OF hi, clerks came to the desk where he
was writing. ami handed him letter which
a lad hal Just brought in. lie broke the seal
with nervous forebodng of trouble, for, of
late, these letters by the hands oi private
messengers, had been frequent, aud rarely of
an agreeable character. From the envelope,
as he commenced withdrawing the letter,
there dropped upon the desk narrow piece
of paper. fnlded ike bill. lie took it up
with almus reluctant fingers, and slowly
pressed back the ends 50 as to read its face,
and comprehend its import. Twice his eyes
went over the brief lines. before he was clear
as TO their meaning. They were as follows:
Received. Jan. /, ls--, Of Abraham
James. One Thousand Dollars, IN fall Of all
demands. HIRAM EDGAR"
llurriedly, now, did Mr.. James unfold the
letter that accompanied the receipt. Its
language mosei him deeply.
/" Abraham James, Esq,
Dear Sir: | was not in the right state Of
mind when | gave directions TO have suit
brought against you. have seen clearer
since, and wish 10 act from better princi-
pie. My own affairs are prosperous. Dur
lng the year which has just closed, my pro-
fits have been better than in any year since
( started business. Your affairs, on the con-
trary, are unprosperous. Heavy lusses, in
stead OF fair profits, are the result Of wears
tlreless efforts. and you find vousef near the
( bottom OF the wheel, while am sweeping
upwards. AS think OF this, and Of nv un-
feeling conduct towards you in your mis-
fortunes, ] am mortified as well as panied.
There j. an element in nv character which
ought not to be there. am self.conyicted
ot cruelty. Accept. nv dear sir, in the en-
closed receipt. the best reparation in nv
power TO make. In giving up this claim, |
do not abandon an item that goes to COM
plete the sum of my happiness Not sim
gle comfort will be abridged. II will not
shrink the dimensions of nv house, or with.
draw from myself OF family any portion of
laoi or raiment. Accept. then, the New
ears gift | offer, and believe that | have
Purer delight in giving than YOU in receiy-
ing. Ms best wishes are with YOU for the
future, and ii, in anything, can aud van ia
SDur arrangements with creditors, do not
iali 10 command my service.
4 Most truly yoars. HIRAM EDGAR"
For the space ul nearly five minutes, Mr..
James sat very still, the letter OF Mr. Edgar
betaie him. Then he folded il up, with the re-
ceipt inside. and placed il in his pocket; taen
H. put away the inventories lie had been ex-
amians and tore up several pieces uf paper.
al which were sunhry calculations and then
pat on MS warm Oyereoat and buttoned it 10
the chin.
Edward said Mr.. James, as he walked
dawn the store. 81 hall not return this al
ternann. ltl, New Years day, aud YOU can
cl0>e up az two o'clock"
u cost Mr. Edgar 4 struggle 10 write the
receipt in tall. A thnusand dollars was a
large SUN Of money TO give away by single
sirosr of the pen. Love Of gain and selfish.
aes. pleaded strongly for the last farihng!
alt the better feelings 1T the man prevailed,
aud the good deed was dome How light his
heart irlt--how suddenly the clouds we're
lifted from his sky. aud the strange pressure
from liis ierlings Il was 10 him new ex-
pcrirnre.
On the evening that closed tie day; the
fr.t evening Of the New Year; Mr. Edgar
sat With his wife aud children in his elegant
tome. happier by far than he was IN the
morning and almost wondering at The change
u bis state Of miud. Little Ellen was in his
af'n,, aud a. he looked Gpoa her chcrnb face,
nc thought nt face ~ beautiful seen by
hin IN the morning, at the window Of his
unfortunate debtor; the face of an angel IL
bad proved 10 him. for il prompted the good
deed from which had sprung double bless.
iag. " lille he SAT thus, be heard the dnor
bell ring. ln lev minutes the waiter
handed ~ lriier. lie broke the seal and
read
MY Dear Sir:
THIS morning nv dear little Arrv. tlle
light Of our hume, greeted the with a joyous
" Happy New Year" | took her in nv arm.
and kissed her. keepin. my face ei1,e to
hers, that she might not scc The sadness of
mine. Al, sir Tie day broke in gloom.
The words Of NV Chld found no echo in my
heart. could have wcpt over her. il the
strength of manhocd had no; risen above the
weakness ol nature. lev minutes ago tie
Happy New Year - was flowing 10 me from
tie sweet lips Ol nv child, aud the words
went thrilling in gladncss 70 my heart. Mly
The ia, close a. happily for YOU and yOars.
as it Is closing Tor me aud mine.
God bless YOU!
ABRAHAM gANEs."
Mfr. Edgar read this letter twice, and hand.
ei Il. without sord. TO his wife.
What !. the meaning Of this' 10 NOT