Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-04-05

/ struggle through, and recover yourself
without shadow being cast on your good
name. If you suffer present obligations
to be dishonored, remember that your rep
utation must receive stain. This can
not be avoided. There are men who have
no word but 'dishonest" with which to
designate those who fail to pay what is
due, no matter what causes produce fail
ure. Think of this Mr.. Oglethorpe, and
weigh well the consequences, before you
take the doubtful step you have proposed
to yourself. You have family, and for
their sakes, do not permit this disgrace to
come upon you and them.
Mr.. Oglethorpe was partially stunned by
this. He had not thought of disgrace
only Of misfortune. He sat for some time
like one stupefed
Don't give up sir! Don't give up Mr..
Spicer laid his hand on the arm Of Mr..
Oglethorpe, and spoke cheerily. Never
let it be said that you permitted an obi
cation to remain uncaneelled. Put on a
brave and cheerful face, and you will 90
through. can wait till tomorrow for my
money. That will give you time to turn
around. And whenever you want aid or
counsel, remember that Jacob Spicer is
your friend
The creditors counsel prevailed. MIR.
Oglethorpe, instead of standing up brave
iy, and meeting his trouble face to face,
then began the hopeless task of borrowing
himself cut of debt
He was involved beyond his means of
payment, little over twenty I've hundred
dollars year, in net profits, and as his
family expenses never never ex-
ceeded fifteen hundred dollars, he was
simply in condition to ray up in full
at the end of five years To do this, how
ever, fair arrangement with his creditors
was necessary, and all would have to make
concessions in his favor. Such an arrang-
ment could have been made, and all wo'd
have come out right in tie end. But
unwlse counsel prevailed.
On the day following MIR. Spicer's visit,
that gentleman received his two hundred
dollars, which Mr.. Oglethorpe had bor-
rowed from friend, under the promise of
repayment on the day after. Another
friend furnished the money to make this
loan good, and third supplied the means
Of taking up small note that fell due in
the meantime. BY the end of a week or
two, Mr.. Oglethorpe was fairly inducted in
to the mysteries and miseries of borrowing.
His line of accommodation in this direc-
tion already reached the sum of two
thousand dollars, a part of which had been
received from a professional lender, who
charged the moderate interest of half per
cent, day. To keep this large accumu-
lation ahead of him was no easy task, and
our borrower found but little time on his
hands for the ordinary duties required in
business Steadily his accumulation went
on until it reached the full sum of his los
ses, and steadily it increased by the addi-
tlOn Of excessive interests, while the poor
mans income decreased in consequence of
his neglect of business.
One day, it was over a'year from the'time
Mr.. Oglethorpe began his up hill work,
the embarrassed man found himself in
more than usual trouble There were
notes to pay, and sums of borrowed mon
ey to return, making an aggregate that
exceeded two thousand dollars. With
feelings scarcel y more pleasant than the
criminals on his way to trial, Mr.. Ogle-
thorpe entered his place of business. and
without even glancing over the morning pa
per, sat down at his desk, and began to
figure up his days payments. A sigh
that almost betrayed itself in a groan,
gave painful evidence that the result had
been reached.
TWenty-three hundred he said to HIM
self, and his heart sank within him
Where so large an amount is to come from,
is beyond my skill to guess. All, me =
This matter is growing worse and worse.
The night grows darker and darker My
feet are more entangled to day than they
were six months ago. Instead of finding
my way out of this labyrinth of embarrass-
ment, | am getting more and more involv-
ed, and | fear that even the clue IS lost
All my time is spent in money-raising, to
the neglect Of business, and its consequent
decline, Heaven help me Ifear my case
is hopeless.
The unhappy man sat in this gloomy
state for some time, then aroused himself
and started forth on his daily round of So
licitation. He had twenty-three hundred
dollars to raise, and must be active if he
expected to get through. 1t is not our
purpose to follow him step by step Al
most any one can imagine the trials, dis
appointments and humiliations attendant
on the work he had taken In hand. At 2
O clock Mr.. Og glethorpe found himself still
short about five hundred dollars. Where
was the amount to come from? He had
exhausted every resource within his reach,
and in order to collect his thoughts, had
returned to his place of business. Weary,
wretched and sick in body and mind, was
the poor harrassed, almost broken down
borrower. Thought turned everywhere,
but be could discover no new resource.
Perhaps something might be obtained
from Spicer, was at last suggested. But
the suggestion was thrown aside as soon as
offered. 1t came again, was revolved mo-
ment and again dismissed.
twill never do to give up. A feeling
of desperation caused Mr. Oglethorpe to
start to bis feet as he said this Some
thing must be done-I'H see Spicer He
can help me and he must.
Without waiting for consideration he
started forth again. A rapid walk bro't
him in few moments to the store of Mr..
Spicer.
Went home an hour ago-was the an
l I I