The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1864-12-02
WORDS FIFTY SPOKEN.
By T. s. ARTHUR.


had any suggestions to make, or any
thing to offer him, it would be different
Some men are peculiarly sensitive wher
things 90 wrong with them. 1 know
how it is with myself. He might con
sider my visit an intrusion. -.s =
Mrs. Fuller thought differently. Sht
did not see the case from her husband
point of view.
Most people, she replied, are gratefu
for any manifested interest il timeOf grie
or trouble, if it be sincere. They easily
discriminate between curious intrusion
and genuine good feeling.
Very true" answered Mr.. Fuller
But a man in Dir. Parsons condition
wants something more than sympathy
He wants help
Perhaps you can help him. said Mrs
Fuller.
BIer The surprise of Mr.. Fuller was
unfeigned.
Help comes by many ways. You may
be able to suggest the very thing he
needs.
TO man who has been living for the
last ten years at an expense Of four times
greater than my ineomel o, mol ]
can't help him. If I had ten thousand
dollars to spare, there would be some
sense IN my calling.
But Mrs. Fuller could not see it in
that light.
'Self-help is the urestbe!p, she return
cd. "a quick, suggestive mind, may
get more Of the true material prosperity
from a hint than from thousands Of dol
lars
Not from that hint Of mine. It's of
no use for you to argue with me 10 that
direction said the husband. Parsons
can teach me twenty things where 1 can
teach him one
'And your one may be more use TO him
than his twenty to you, said Mrs. Full
Ter.
The woman saw that she was right, and
did not yield. Will is very persevering.
After teq-for It was in the evening
Mrs Fuller drifted upon the subject of
their unfortunate neighbor again, and in
sisted that it was her husbands duty to
make him a call.
IF could see any use in it, answered
Mr.. Fuller. IF I had any suggestions to
make that would be Of value to him
1T would be of use for him to know
that you have not forgotten an old friend
and neighbor, replied Mrs. Fuller. There
will be enough to recede-to stand afar
of-to look upon him eOldly, or to pass
him by as of but small account in the
world, seeing that he no longer has the
old money value.
In the end, Mrs. Fuller prevailed
Her husband, after concluding to make
the visit, thought be would defer it un-
til the next evening; but she urged that
the present hour for a kind act was the
best hour.
1t was after 8 O'Clock when Fuller stood
at Nr. Parsons door: He felt sure that
his visit would be considered an intrusion,
If not an impertinence. That Mr.. Par
sons would see in it a rude intimation that
they were now on the same social level.
His hand grasped the bell, but he hesita-
ted to ring. If the thought of his
wife, and what she would say ifhe went
home without accomplishing the erTand
that took him out, had not crossed his
mind, he would have turned away from
the door. But that thought stimulated
his Wayering purpose, and tie bell was
rung. -.
A 5ervant showed him into the library,
where he found Mr.. Parsons. He bad
anticipated a cold and formal rsception-
lie was prepared for it, but not for the
high pleasure that beamed in Mr. Par
sons countenance, nor for the cordial hand
clasp with which he was received.
The two men sat down by the library
table on which were packages of letters,
accounts, legal papers, and other evidences
going to show that Mr., Parsons had bust
ness on hand when his visitor called.
4 fear this may be an interruption,
said Mr.. Fuller, glancing at the table.
No; your coming is welcome and time
y. I was Just wishing for a cool, clear
seeing, conscientious friend With whom to
take counsel; and 1 believe you are the
nan. You know that l am in trouble" "
Yes.'
The failure Of Lawrence & James in
wolves everything I have. / am on their
paper for more than am worth
But they will have assets. The loss
will not be complete
iIn the meantime, being under protest
on their paper, my credit is gone. The
banks throw me out, aud I can only get
money on the street at ruinous rates. To
struggle longer would be folly. Usursrs
would get what creditors might divide.
To-day my own bills went into the NOta-
ry'S hand
$50 I have heard
Such news flies through business cir
.cles with electric sWiftness. Well, the
agony Is. over; the dread trial past. My
name, as drawer, is dishonored-I am a
broken merchant, ,- --z~---7 81
I Commercial dishonor is one thing
personal dishOnor another said Mr.
Fuller.
Mr.. Parsons looked away from the face
Of his visitor. He moved witIn& slight
gesture of uneasiness "a shade went over
his countenance. r-.-
'1Ieu who go down into the. valley of
misfortune, added Mr.. Fuller, tread on
slippery ground. They must look well to
their feet.
There was no response to this.
On safer ground, continued Mr.. Full
Ter, we may rcover a false step; but here
it is very difficult: something impossible.
We are no longer masters Of the situation.
It will not do to risk anything.
Still Mr.. Parsons remarked silent, with
his face turned away.
'All doubtful expedients should be
avoided, Mr.. Fuller went on, following
out the train of thought which had been
suggested to his mind. "They are never
safe under the most favorable rircumstaD-
ces but when misfortune limits and
cripples a man, they almost always fall and
leave him more unhappily situated than
before
sUnquestionably you are right said
Mr.. Parsons, taking deep breath. He
spoke partly to himself From his tone
It was plain that he was thinking intcntly.
When a man gets in trouble, be added,
'ir is.of The first Importance 60 him to
show a clear record As the case now
stands I think mine is clear l will be
misjugdcd, nc doubt All men are who