Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-04-14

at work at the wush tub, the cast of beauty
being decidedly Hibernian.
Helen Morris laughed absently, but did
not open her letter while Bridget re-
mained-a little to the disappointment of
that curious damsel.
Helen slowly opened the envelope. A
bank note for ten dollars dropped from it
to the floor
She eagerly read the few words on the
paper-"From st. Valentine p
Heaven be praised p she said, folding
her hands gratefully. "This sum will
enable Inc to carry out the plan which l
had viewed" .....
| Eight years passed away. Eight years
with their lights and shadows, their joys
and sorrows. They brought with them
the merry VOICES Of children --they brought
with them new-made groves-happiness
to some and grief to others.
Towards the last they brought the great
commercial crisis of 1857. when houses
that seemed built upon rock, tottered all
at once to their fall. Do not many re-
member that time too well, when mer-
chants, with anxious faces, ran from one
to another to solicit help, and met only
Iavcrted faces and distrustful looks
And how was it in that time of uni
versal famine without friends-Stacy &
Wilbur?
Up to 1857 they had been doing an
excellent business. They had gradually
enlarged the sphere of their operations,
and were rapidly growing rich, when this
crash came.
They Immediately took in sail. Both
were prudent, and both felt that this was
.he time when this quality was urgently
ineeded.
BY great efforts they had succeeded in
keeping up till the 14th of February,
1858. On that morning hote for two
thousand dollars came due, This was
their last peril. That surmounted they
would be able to 60 on with assured con-
tidence.
But, alas this was the rock of which
they had most apprehension. They had
taxed their resources to the utmost. They
had called upon their friends, but their
friends were employed taking care of
themselves, and the selfish policy was the
one required then.
"Look out for number one ~ superseded
the 9 ID n rule for the time being.
AS | have said. two thousand dollars
were due on the l4th of February.
"How much have you got towards it 2"
asked Wilbut, as Stacy came in at half
|past eleven.
Three huhdfcd and sevehty-6ve dol
lars" was the dispirited reply.
Twas that all you could raise ?" in
quired the partner, turning pale.
Gail"
"Are you sure you thought of every
body?'
"Ihave been every where. I'm tagged
to death" was the weary reply of Stacy,
as he sank exhausted into chair.
Then the crash must come said
Wilbur with ghomy resignation.
Z" suppose it must
There was silence Neither felt in
alined to say anything. For six minutes
they had been struggling with the tide.
They could see shore, but in sight of it
they must 60 down. At this moment
note was brought in by boy. There
was no postmark. Evidently he was
special messenger. 1t was opened at once
by Mr.. Wilbur, to whom 1t was directed.
1t contained these few words only:
If MIR. John Wilbur will call imme-
diately at No.-Fifth Avenue, he will
learn something to his great advantage"
There was no signature. .9-
John Wilbur read it with surprise,
and passed to his partner. What does it
mean do you think 2
81 don't know" was the reply, "but
/ advise you to 60 at once "
1t seems to be in feminine hand
writing, said Wilbur thoughtfully "Yes.
Don't you know any lady on Fifth Av-
enue % e."
None" HH
We'll it is worth noticing. We have
met with so little to our advantage lately
that it will be refreshing variety"
In five minutes John Wilbur jumped
into horsecar. and was On Ills way to
No. -, Fifth Avenue.
AS walked up to the door Of a magpi-
fcent brown stone house and rang the
bell. He was instantly admitted, and
shown into the drawing-roo,h, superbly
furnished. -.=.- !. --
He did not have to wait long. An
elegantly dressed lady, scarcely thirty.
entered, and bowling said, You do not
remember Ihe, Mr.. Wilbur 2" .T
No MADAM" said he, in perblexity.
eve will waive that, then, and proceed
to business. How has your house borne
the crisis in which so many of our large
firms have gone down 7"
John Wilbur smiled bitterly. o
1--WE have struggled successfully till
to-day" he answered. But the end
has come. Unless we can raise q certain
sum of money by two, we are ruined"
"What sum will save you n was the
lady's question. ..4. ,..
1.-The note due is two thousand dollars.
Towards this we have but three hundred
and seveaty-6ve. ."-n o.,
g Excuse me. moment" said his
hostess. She left the room bnt quickly
returned. A' 1Fe.. j. = .
"There." said she. handing small
strip Of paper 70 John Wilbur, is my
check fof two thousand dollars. You can
repay il at Jour convenience. If you
should require pore eeonlle to ME again"
Madam, you have sayod u.s." ex-
claimed Wilbur, springing to his feet in
delight. What can have inspired in
you such benevolent interest in our
prosperity p ia''1 y p = '-.'
"Do you remember, Mr. Wilbur"
said the lady. ga certain valentine, con-
tanning ten dollar note, which you sent
to young girl occupying an attic room
in your lodging house eight wears since?'