The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-04
Up Higher.

that doubt if he ever recover hmselfagain"
"I'm sorry for Martin said the other. He has al
ways impressed me well-meaning man.
Yes, well-meanng enough; but something more than
wei-meaning is required for success in this world"
"A spice Of cunning snd shrewdness not to speak of
roguery.n
'Shrewdness is required and foretbought, and num-
Der OF other qualities not possessed, think in a high
degree by Martin As to the cunning and roguery they
may succeed for time But they always outwit them
selves in the endn
poor fellow! Be the cause what it may pity him.
He's tried hard enough to keep up. No man could
have been faithful in business so far as the devo-
ton of his time and his active attention concerned
He deserved better fate"
"How will his affairs settle?"
''Not particular we'll | hear"
"Does he show a fair hand?p
"Oh yes" The was without hesitation.
81 might have known that from what | know of the
man"
Il don't believe Martin would hold any thing back.
He has always impressed me as man who would pay
to the uttermost farthing Poor feow I'm sorry the
fortunes OF war are against him. and that he has
down in the heat of battle unYctoriousn
fes gone down, gone down, unyctorious, was res
pOnded, in tone Of pity.
1t was the first ntmation had of Martins failure III
business, and panied to hear of his misfortune
knew him very we'll and held him us a friend in high
personal regard The testimony which had been borne
in favor OF his integrity agreement with my own
estimate of his character
Intelligence Of this failure soon spread through all
the business circles in which Martin known and for
two or three days almost every other person YOU met
had something to say about it The ordinary way Of
referring to the subject wasin the words Poor Martin
| heat has gone down again" And not few responded.
Hes reached the bottom Of the hill this time Some
pticd; some blamed; and some spoke harshy and an
grly-the latter were Of those who lost by the failure
felt grieycd for Martin. 1t was sad ordeal for man
Of right lecling to pass through.
did not meet him. except casually in the street for
some time after his failure But passing his store one
day and seeing it closed sign that lie mad given up
business, felt that a. one who had known him with
some personal intimacy, should not hold myself aooi
in this his day OF trouble. So called at his house one
evening. When grasped bis hand and Iookediuto his
face saw that he had not through this trial with
out great suffering. He had the appearance Of man
who had come recently from a bed Of sickness.
How You my triend:a l asked, as sat down
together
'As we'll as could be hoped oa he replied, feeble
smile touching his lips with ray OF Light.
Cast down. but not torsaken."
Not orsakcn, thrust he answered in frmer voice.
This is one of the troubles that is hard to bear.
said l.
Yes but, in all other troubles our strength is as
our day
81 am pleased to hear you say that remarked.
Il should be sorry, indeed If could not say it," he
answered, still gaining scadness of manner I'VE look
forward to great trials with shudderiug sense Of fear
because conscious only of the feeble power Of
endurance that may be called But when the
trial comes and 60 down amidst the rushing waters
In fear and shuddering lest thcy overwhem u.s. we find
an arm TO lean upon that sunseen but full Of strength"
And 50 your strength has been as your dayn said l.
y es; or | should have perishcd among the floods
That sit here and talk with youas to his friend
clothed in my right mind makes the fact evident"
Gould you not ayepreyented this dsaster?' Iasked
duling our conversation.
Yes" he replied, with such confidence in bis voice
that | said, with some earnestness
Then why did You not use the means?n
"SmPly because | could not satisfy myself that they
were the right GU shall hear and Judge fer
yourself
1.-TWO months ago one Of my customers to whom
had sold rather freely than my judgment afterwards
approved failed It only a few days before the
notes which had received in npaymcut came due These
notes had been discounted and had of course to take
of them. In doing this the means held in reserve
for maturing payment We're exhausted for the time and
| was thrown upon the street as Il borrower, on most
disaavautageous terms Another loss following quickly
this one alarmed and bewilderedme. Twice before
had failed in business, and this dreadful ordeal
more painful than death in my imagination, looked me
in the face again. and grew faint with heart-sckncss
looked eagerly this way and that. Caught atone ex
pedient and ahother dropping each in turn of little
promise as ndeeusible on the score ofhones dealing
"While sitting al my desk one day, searching about
in my thought for way Of escape from the difficulties
that environed me ike steadily approaching wall Of
fire real esate agent with whom was well acquainted
came in, and said to me, ina confidential way.
p" i know where some money is to be gained, lir.
Martin
"'Money is very desirable thing I answered
And not always TO be picked up in the street. said
he.
" Not so far as my experience is concerned
" Or mine either. Wc as was saying, he went on,