The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-10-04

which had been borne in favor of his IN
tegrity was In agreement with nv own
estimate of his character.
Intelligence of this failure soon spread
through all the business circles 10 which
Martin was known, and for two or three
days almost every othe, person you met
had something to say about it. The or
dinary way of referring to the subject
was in the words, "Poor Martin, | hear
has gone down again." And not few
responded. Hes reached the bottom of
the hill this time Some pitied; some
blamed aud some spoke harShly and an
grily-the latter were of those who lost
By the failure. | felt grieved for Mar
tin. II was a sad ordeal for man of
right feelings to pass through.
did not meet Kim, except casually in
the street, for some time after his failure.
BIT, passing his store one day, and see
ing 1t cl'sed, as a sign that ne had given
up business. felt that, as one who had
known him with some personal intimacy
[ should not hold myself aloof in this his
day OF trouble. Sc | called at his house
ona evening. When | graSped his hand
and looked into his face saw that he had
not come through this trial without great
suffering. He had the appearance of
man who had come recently from bed
of sickness.
GLOW are you, my friend 2" | asked,
as we sat down together.
A 1o F,r 1n
replied, feeble smile touching his lips
with ray of light.
Cast down, but not forsaken."
Not forsaken, | trust" he answered
in frmcr voice.
This is one of the troubles that is
hard to bear" said |.
Yes; but, as in all other troubles,
our strength is as our day"
Il am pleased to hear you say that" |
remarked
81 should be sorry, indeed, if I could
not say it," he answered, still gaining
steadiness of manner I'VE look forward
to great trials with shuddering sense Of
fear, because we are conscious on y of the
feeble power Of endurance that may be
called our own. But when the trial
comes, aud We 60 down amidst the rush
ing waters i'll fear aud shudderrg lest they
overwhelm us, We find an arm to lean
upon that Is unseen but full of strength. &"
And so vorr strength las been as
your day?' said |
"YeS, or should have persisted among
the foods. That sit here, and talk
WITH YOU as a man to his friend, clothed
and in my right mind, makes the tact ev-
ldent"
Gould you GOT have prevented this
disasrer?' | asked, during cur conyersa
tion
Yes" be replied, with such conf
Ience in his voice that said with some
earnestnesS,
Then why did you not use the
means 7"
"Simply becau~e I could not satisfy
myself that they were the right means
Yru shall hear aud Judge for yourself.
1.-Two months ago, one of my custom
ers, to whom had sold rather more free
ly than my judgement aft,rward approx
ed, failed. 1t was only few days be-
fore the notes which haC received il
payment came due. These notes had
been discounted. and had, Of course, to
take care of lhem. In doing this the
means held in reserve for maturing pay
ment were exhausted for the time, and |
was thrown upon the street as Il borrow
er. on most disadvantageUus terms. An
other loss, following quickly On this one,
alarmed and bewildered me. Twice be-
fore had failed IN business, and now
this Dire; dcd ordeal, more painful than
death III my imagination, looked me in
the face again, and | grew faint with
heart t-sickncss. | looked eagerly this
way and that. Caught at one expedient
and another. dropping each III turn as
of little promise. or as indetensiblc on the
score o. honest dealing.
"WhIle sitting at my desk ole day,
searching about III my thought for way
of escape from the difficulties that en-
yironed me like a steadily approaching
wall Of fire, real estate agent with whom
was well acquainted, came in and said
to me, in confidential way.
IL know where some money is to lie
gained, Mr. Martin
"Money is "a very desirable thing |
answered.
And not always to be picked up in
tie street, SAID be.
"'Not SO far as my experience is con-
cerned.'
"'Or mine either Well, as | was
saying he went On, L know where some
money is to be made. Would you like
to join me IN making it?' answered
yes, without hesitation for. of all things
money was what | then most waited