, 1864-02-20

urlouS, prOdigal IN his expenditure anu IL
wish in his hospitality. His sole pride,
heart and being seemed centred in Grace,
and as she reached wOmanhoOd the dazzling
circle Of pleasure was increasingly traversed.
His quiet villa residence was exchanged
for Belgrave House, with retinue Of ser:
wants and splendid equipages. All seemed
to flow smooth and glittering as river be-
meath the sunlight. Suddenly, and in
quick succession, several unforeseen failures
gave very rude shocks to the strong CON-
mercial citadel. Still, public confidence in
tina bank remained unshaken. The good
name and religious faith so honestly pre-
served in the past inspired confidence in
the future; but, alas the stately vessel
was gliding over sunken rocks to overwhelm-
ing quicksands. Mr.. Darlington smiled,
gazed upwards and trusted that some breeze
of fortune would lift the lcaky ship across
the bar. In vain did John Rudderforth
warn him Of His danger; he plunged more
madly into pleasure, and denounced his
faithful servant as an evil prophet and
scrcech owl Of i'll OMEN. .s.e.
Great as was Johns mental anguish at
those unjust remarks, still he never swerred
in his endeavors to tear the veil from the
banker darkened vision. Hestood brnvely
to post which other men would probably
have abandoned but as it was full Of dan
ger, his simple faith cherished the belief
that it was likewise full of honor.
At length the oft-prcdicted crisis became
imminent. One of the most important
firms in Manchester suspended payment,
and Mr.. Darlington, who was their princi-
pal correspondent, was included in a per-
sonal claim; he had drawn bills Of ex-
change at short sight, which it was now i'm
perativo to meet. The instant John Rud-
dcrforth heard Of this disaster, he locked
himself in the counting. house and exam
ined all the books and letters Of corrcspon-
dence. After three days and nights Of in
cessant toll he wended his way TO the ban
ker's splendid mansion, and entered like a
black cloud across the sunlight Of that
bright May day. ,...l .,. 3
The shadow deepened on Mr.. Babing-
toms face when he entered the library, and
saw at a glance the. expression of despair
so forcibly depicted in his honest friends
countenance. He threw himself into a
chair, and his eye travelled anxiously from
Johns quivcring features to ponderous
mass Of papers on the table. At length he
nervously inquired, "What is all this :"
"Those papers" said the clerk with re-
spectrul frmness, "demand your instant
perusal." ..s ... a..u ii. .-.a-i D.. =
"No, John, no" was the peiulant reply /;
mot now, any other time. l ain unequal to
such task" d. -..... .... ........ .. -.r.g.
They have cost me, sir, three consecu-
tive days and nights Of searching labor,"
said the clerk, still mildly, still firmly. Il
have stripped the tree Of all its fruit, both
green, and ripe, and rotten, and there it
is" .,a. saa 6 za.
"You have made a summary, John 2"
inquired the banker.
True, sir y replied the clerk; "but that
is the last paper l would have you exam
inc" .rt .rs n
"Give it to me-" said the banker.
The clerk handed his master tho partic-
ular document, and, as his eye glanced
over the figures, marked transition from
passive heedlcssncss to alarm and terror
was yisibly perceptible. The hue Of ruddy
health suddenly faded from his cheek, and
beaded moisture stood upon his knitted
brow. o.. H.-5 sE q. fz s sit -a"
"What is this ?" he exclaimed in a
hoarse. whisper; "my assets six thousand
pounds short Of my liabilities? IL cannot
be-"
at is true" said the clerk; and I
have included in those assets some doubtful
debts"
" But here perceive" said the banker,
catching, as he thought, at gleam Of hope,
" that you have valued the Ashdale estate
at two thousand pounds less than it Cos
me-" -. ,,.
ain making forced and hasty disposal
Of it for ready cash, no other result can be
calculated upon" replied the clerk.
'But might / not mortgage it for sufi-
cient sum to meet my payments until the
end Of the month 7" urged the banker des-
pondingly. ..l-.s-i
You would not augment the evil, and
favor few creditors at the expense Of the
many" replied the clerk. ..aa.
True, true" said the banker with moan
ing anguish. &" have gambled with the
future too long, too long" lie threw the
paper from him and covered his face with
hands that trembled. AT length he asked,
in a tone Of hopeless agony, " WHAT'S to be
done!" aE q. raa ...H' snal.
Sign this paper,' replied the clerk, pre-
sonting another document to him.
The banker took the prcffered paper and
ran his eye over its contents, then turning
with indignant fcrceness to his clerk, ex-
claimed, "What is this you propose "a
failure, ruin! $500,
"Bctter, far better than what you pro-
pose" replied the clerk. by making this
assignment, every creditor will receive
eighteen shillings in the pound but your
expedient would only lead to fraudulent
bankruptcy. Think Of your good name,
think Of disgrace and dishonor" ..,,.
"RIin, ruin y cried the banker. gThe
word blishts ny heart as it blanches my
cheek. Ny proud, higk-spirited child, the
one pure blessing Of my age-who will
shelter her in this fierce storm ~
"The evil is great" said the clerk with
fearful eyes and quivering lips; "but if at
the end Of your sacrifices you can re-estab-
lish yourself, a better future may yet be re-
4 q. -. Z A 4.