Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-06-07

oroe or twice asked me if had fallen in
with that John Mason yet; to which | al
ways replied in the negative.
Careful as We may be to keep out OF
trouble. We are not always successful in
our efforts. When l removed to Moor6el6,
/ supposed my affairs 10 be in a very good |
way but things proved to be otherwise
/ was. disappointed, not only in the amount |
| expected to receive from the business | |
followed in the village, but disappointed |
in the amount of money felt sure Of get
ting by q certain time.
When first came to Moor6eld, bought |
a piece of property from LaxtOn-ths bus
iness transaction made us acouainted-and
paid cash down, One-third of the purchase
money the property remaining as secur-
itg for the two thirds, which l was under
contract to settle at certain tune. My
fret payment was two thousand dollars.-
Unfortunately, when the final payment
became due, was not 10 funds, and the
prospect of receiving morey within five or
six months, was anything but good. 10
this dilemma | waited upon Laxton, and
informed him of my disappointment. His
face became grave.
Il hope it will not put you to any serious
incopvenience.'
'WhatP be asked.
MY failure to meet the payment on this
property. You are fully secured and with
in six months | will be able to do what /
hoped to do at this time
i am sorry, Mr.. j nes.' he returned,
but have made my calculations to re-
ceive the sum due at this time, and cannot
do without it,
But havn't the money, Mr. Laxton.
and have fully explained to you the reason
why
That syour affair, not mine, Mr. Jones
Il you have been disappointed at one point
it is ycur business to look at another. A
contract is a contract
will you not extend the time of this
payment said
No, sir, cannot
What will you do 2
Dor You ask very strange ques-
ton
We'll, what will you dor
Why. raise the money on the proper
ty.'
flow will you dc that p
Sell it, of counsel
asked no further questions, hat left
him and went away. Before reaching
hume, TO which place l was retiring. in or
der to think over the position in which |
was nIsced and determine what steps to
take. if any were left to me, ! met the
pleasant acquaintance l had made at the
town meeting.
You lDak grave, Mr.. jones' said he,
as we paused, facing each other. What's
the matter?
frankly told him my difficulty.
50 Laxton has got you in his clutches,
has he p was the single, yet perceived
meaning reply that he made.
i sm in bis clutches, certainly said
And will not get out of them very east
ly. apprehend'
What will he do p
He will cell the property at auction
1T will bring the claim under the ham
mer'
No. l suppose not, for that is really
more than che property Is worth
Do you think go ?
Certainly do. know the value Of
every lot Of background in thu town-hip,
and know that you have been taken in, in
ur purchase
What d. you suppose it will bring at a
Few men will bid over twenty-five hun
You can't be serious
/ assure you, | am. H, however, will
| averbid all up to -four thousand. He will,
/ probably. have it knocked down TO him at
/ three Thousand, and thus come into possess
! has received two Thousand dollars.
/ 'Bur three thousaDG dollars will not sat-
/ isfy his claims against me.
| ~, YIN v,,tI otiE nrua him thnuso =, 4
! dollars
WIZ he prosecute his claim? p
| Hep and the man smiled 'Yss TO the
last extremity if there be hopes Of getting
anyth!ng.'
Then | am certainly iu bad way
! I'm afraid VOC are unless you can fed
come here who Will befriend you 10 the
matter
/ 'There is no one here who will lend me
four thousand dollars upon the piece Of
property said l.
! 4 don't know of but one man who il
likely to do it, was answered.
who is that p asked eagerly.
John Mason
John Mason 2 IN never 70 to him.
Why not
1 might as we'll remain where I sm, al
to get into his hands. A sharper and a
lawyer to boot! Mono. Better to bear
evils that we have, than to fly to Others
that we know not Of
You may get assistance somewhere else
but AN doubtful said the man and bow
ing politely passed on and left me to my
own unpleasant reflections.
Laxton made as quick work of the bust.
ness as the nature Ct the case would ad
nit aud in q very short time the property
was advertised at public sale. As tht
time for the sale approached, the great de
sire to prevent the sacrifice that was tot
we'll assured would take place, suggested
the de meier resort Of calling upon Mason
But my prejudices against the MAJ wert
60 strong, that could not get my own con
sent to do so.
On the day before the sale, met tn
individual before alluded to.
Have you been to see MasoD,' he ask
ed.
shook my head.
Then you have made up your mind L
let that scoundreI. Laxton, fleece you on
Of your property
j see no way of preventing it,
Why don't you try Mason T
I do not believe it would do me an
good
1 think differently
If be did help me out of the difficulty,
replied, 1T would only be to get in:o
more narrow corner
You dou't know any such thing sal
the man, in a different tome from any whic
he had spoken, when Mason was the sub
ject Of our remarks. Think for a momen
upon the basis of your prejudice. it lie
mainly upon the assertions of Laxto
whom your experience Las proven to be
sc0undrel. The fact is, your estimate c
Mason's character is entirely erroneous
Laxten hates him, because be has cireuu
vented him more than dozen times 10 hi
! schemes of iniquity, and will circumveu
. him again, if do not greatly err. provit
cd vau Give him the oanortnnikv of doin