Litchfield enquirer., 1863-07-09
crossing the dividing fields, had told Gribb so, and expressed their wonder that Alton did not purchase his property, and imprevo it into har- roonv with all surrOundings

pufcuaSe HIS prOpcttys ouu ithpT0fO lt lntO uaI- mony with all surroundings,
 Grbb, they said, was irritable and abusive.
 "It isn't for you" growled he, "who are tres passers on my land, to come to me and sheer at it! Be of, to better quarters, if you like them; Mine please me. have no doubt Af- ton would jump at the chance to buy me ont. But what's mine is mine !; and all his money can't move me against my will. He has al- ready offered me much more than it is really worth. But don't choose to go, you see! l certainly shouldn't sell any quicker to please a pack of harpies liksyousn
 "Harpies, fellow ?"
 "Yes. harpies don't like the looks of any of you, more than you do my land and house , which had rather have than all he owns when infested by such shameless set of suckers as you, who are friends only So long as you can im- pose upon his insane hospitality. But there be of, for my dogs coming" .;1 Alton laughed at the recital and said that Gribb was sour and obstinate fellow, and they could expect nothing less from him.
 "A neighbor like that ought to be hung He knows that his execrable looking place in- jures yours, and is nuisance; and wants you. the mercenary, to be mortified into paying him an unheard of price"
 Cant be helped, gentlemen. The land is his, and he can keep it in what condition he likes"
 The unpropitious times still continued, and score after score of once wealthy men were re- duced to poverty, and gloom peryaded all the marts of trade. Such astounding bankruptcies occurred that few merchants felt secure or un' suspicious.
 Uuwonted gravity and tacitarnity were ob- servable, at last, even in Noel Alton. Cordial ity seemed to be an effort with him. Something was evidently burden on his mind. Those who had most frequented his society suspected that he must have met with some serious re- verses; wondered to what extent; and made their visits short and few.
 Ere long they had reason to be confirmed in their opinion.
 "It is a disagreeable job,' unused Alton, as one day he repaired to the city; but am d ? termined on it. When they hear am so much involved, they will be electrified"
 He waited upon one, and with sad face told his story. His property was all mortgaged.- Failures had greatly injured him; and hearing g that this man had of late been quito fastaaate, he had come to him for the loan of thousand dollars.
 If tho face of Alton was sad at this an- that of him to whom he applied WIS absolutely dismal
 "Now there is no man, was the reply, eno man in the world for whom would fix this thing 50 readily and gladly as I would for you, Afton-if could"
 Alton at once understood what was to follow.
 "But, fact is, am in about the same box with you. Two or three of my heaviest debt ors have just gone under, and left me in the lurch. It is too bad-too had-for man that with you as mach as l do! But of course you can arrange the loan somewhere among your friends, who are not so unfortu nate az I happen to be just now,"
 Il may," sighed Alton, turning away, and going to another, to whom he made the same recital and request.
 Both alike, both alike, te day" was the answer, the refusal pretaced by smile and rubbing of hands. My banks burst, and l am all at seq. Couldn't even let you have a hundred; but if you had come to ne week ago, could have let you had four or five thou sand easily and without security. Ill luck, I'm afraid, is on my track but there's no use in crying about it, as see."
 z An, Alton r said the next one, taking him aside confdentially, between you and me, my wife owns all, and know she wouldn't let me, there's the rub"
 As to me-" responed another, could and would do it, it it wasn't for my confound- cd senior partner. He's g good fellow, but close -close as trap. All my own private money is invested"
 And have been foolishlY extravagant {; lent great deal !; endorsed had paper; and am in debt. now, so that hardly know where to turn, to get fifty dollars
 And so Alton went the rounds among those who had often shared his hospitality, and drawn upon his purse, and whose interests he had variously promoted by his influence but this one was on the point of failing that one had just been vainly trying to borrow anoth- CT could not violate his rule never to endorse, and all his money was vitally necessary to keep bis business going, and another demurred up on the score of honesty.
 T must be just to my creditors, even before friends like you, my dear Alton. As you are so involved. it would be thought risky to let you have this money, To lend under such would be dishonest, wouldn't it. when in doubt?D
 Alton did not tarry to argue the point, but went home and next he hethought him ol Gribb, and going over to see him. found him in the field, resting on the blow.
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