The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-04-17
v L. II Y p o o II.
BIZ I. =. ARTHUR.

"WnAT has become of the WightmanS ?"
asked my old friend Payson. | had returned to
my native place after an absence OF several years.
Payson looked grave.
"Nothing wrong with them, hope Wightman
was clever man, and hc had pleasant family"
Ny friend shook his head omincuSly.
He was doing very well when left said l..
An broken up now," was answered. "IIc fail
ed several years ago."
"Ah I'm sorry to hear this. What has become
of him."
~ see him now and then, but don't know what
he is doing"
And his family 2"
"Thcy live somewhere in Old Town. haven't
met any of them for long time Some one told
me that they poor
This intelligence caused feeling of sadness to
pervade my mind. The tone and manner of Pay
son, as he used the words "very p orr gave to
them more than ordinary meaning. | saw in i'm
agination, my old friend reduced from comfort and
responsibility, to condition of extreme poverty,
with all its suifcrings and lunilations. While my
mind was occupied with these unpleasant thoughts,
my friend saio
You must dine with me Tomorrow. Mrs. Pay
son will be glad to you, and want To have II
long talk about old times. We dine at three
promised to he with them, in agreement with
the invitation; and then parte |. 1t was during
business hours, and my friends manner was
somewhat occupied and hurried did not think it
right to trespass on his time. What had learned
of the Wightmans troubled my Thoughts. | could
not get them out of my mind. They were cstlma-
bic people. had priced them above ordinary ac-
quaintances and it did seem peculiarly hard that
they should have suffered misfortune. Every
pOor"-I could not get the words out of my ears.
The way in which they spoken involved more
than the words themselves expressed, rather,
gave broad latitude to their meaning. Every
poor!" The sigh was deep and involuntary.
inquired Of several old acquaintances whom
met during the day, for the Wightmans; but all
the satisfaction received was, Wightman had fail
ed in business several years before, and was now
living somewhere in Old Town in a very poor wa- =.
"Thcy are miserably poor" said ono. al see
Wightman occasionally said another =" he looks
secdy enough" l." His girls take in sewing, have
heald," said third, who spoke with a slight air of
contempt, as if there were something disgraceful
attached to needle work, when pursued a means
OF livelihood. | would have Called during the day
upon Wightman, but failed to ascertain his place
of residence.
"Glad to see you!" Payson extended his hand
with show of cordially, l entered his store
between two and three o'clock on the next day.
"Sh down and look over the papers for little
whilc," he added "Ill he with you in moment.
Just finishing up my bank business"
Business first" was my answer, as l took the
proflGrcd newspaper. Z" Stand upon no ceremony
with me-"
,,,II I.,f =.
head to the desk at which he was sitting, | could
not but remark the suddcnuCss with which the
smile my appearance had awak ned faded from his
rountenancc Before him was II pile of bank bills,
several checks, and quite IL formidable array of
bank notices He couutea the bills and checks, and
after recording the amount upon slip Of paper
glanced uneasily at his watch, sighed, and then
looked anxiously towards the door. At this mo-
ment clerk entered hastily, and made some COM
muuication in an undertone which brought from
my friend disappointed and impatient expression.
"Go to Wilson," said he hurrcdly, "and tell
him to sond me check for five hundred without
full Say that am much short in my bank pay
mcnts, and that it is too late to get the money
anywhere else. Don't linger moment it is twcn-
ty-fvc minutes to three now"
lie departed. He was gone full ten minutes dur
ing which period Payson remained at his desk, ST
lent, but showing many signs Of uncasincss. On
returning, he brought the desired check, and was
then despatched to lift the notes for which this late
provision was made.
What life for man to lead" said my friend,
turning 10 me with contracted brow and sober
face " | sometimes wish myself on an island in
mid ocean. You remember C-2"
"Very well" ...tH
q lie quit business year ago, and bought farm.
saw him the other day. Payson, said he, with
an air Of satisfaction, / haven't seen bank no
ticc this twelvcniouth' He's happy man This
note paying is the curse of my life. I'm forever
on the street fnancierng = FinGnciering! How
hate the word But come II they'll be waiting
dinner for us. Mrs. Payson is delighted at the
thought of seeing you. How long is it since you
were here About ten years, il mistake not
You'll find my daughters quite grown up. Clara
is in her twentieth year You, Of course, recollec
her only az a little schoolgirl, All me how time
does ayl" EaUFfysr
found my friend living in handsome house in
Frankhn Street. II was shcwiIy, poi tastefully,
furnished, and the same might he said Of Lis wife
aud daughters. When l. last dined with them w. il
was many years before - they were living in
modest, but very comfortable way and the whole
air OF their dwelling was that Of cheerfuness aud