Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-05-20
and grief to others.

all too WELL when merchants, with anxious
faces, ran from one to another to solicit help,
and met only averted faces and distrustful
looks ..#..s .E5
And how was it in that time of universal
famine with our friends-Stacy s Wilbur?
Up to 1857 they had been doing an excel
lent business. They had gradually enlarged
the sphere of their operations, and were rap
idly growing rich, when the crash came.
They Immediately took in sail. Both were
prudent, and both felt that this was the time
when this quality was urgently needed.
By great effort they bad succeeded in keeping
up till the l4th of February, 1858. On that
morning note of two thousand dollars came
DUE This was their last peril. That sur
mounted they would be able to go on with as
sured confidence.
But alas this was the rock of which they
had most apprehension. They had taxed their
resources to the utmost. They had called up
on their friends, but their friends were en-
ployed in taking care of themselves, and the
selfish policy was the one required then.
"Look out for number one" superseded the
golden rule for the time being.
How much have you got towards it ?" asked
Wilbur, as Stacy came in at half past eleven.
"Tbree hundred and seventy-fve dollars
was the dispirited reply.
"Was that all you could raise ?" inquired
his partner, turning pale.
"Alk"
"Are you sure you thought of everybody ?"
"I have been everywhere. I'm tagged to
death" was the weary reply Of Stacy, as he
sank exhausted into chair.
"Then The blow must come" said Wilbur,
with gloomy resignation.
81 suppose it must"
There was silence. Neither felt inclined
to say anything. For six months they had
been struggling with the tide. They could
see shore, but 10 the sight of it they must go
down.
At this moment a note was brought in by a
boy. There was no post-mark. Evidently he
was special messenger.
1t was opened at once by Mr. Wilbur, to
whom it was directed. It contained these
words only:
"If Mr. John Wilbur will call Immediately
at No. -, Filth Avenue, he will learn some
thing to his great advantage"
There was no signature.
John Wilbur read it with surprise and pass
ed it to his partner. "What does it mean dc
you think"
~ don't know" was the reply, "but 1 ad-
wise you to go at once"
at seems to be in feminine hand writing,
said Wilbur thoughtfully.
ayes. Don't you know any lady on Fifth
Avenue ~
"None."
"Well, it is worth noticing. We have me
! with so little to our advantage lately, that
will be refreshing variety"
In FIVE minutes Wilbur jumped into horse
car, and was on his way to Fifth Avenue.
He walked up to the door of magni6cen
E brown stone house, and rang the bell. H
was instantly admitted, and shown into tn
D drawing room, superbly furnished.
He did not have 10 wait long. An elegant
r Iy dressed lady, scarcely thirty, entered, an'
bowing, said, ''You do not remember me, MI
Wilbur"
"No, madam" said be in perplexity.
n awe will waive that theB,-and proceed t
business How has your house borne the cri
I sis in which 30 many of our large firms Rav
gone down ?'
a John Wilbur smiled bitterly.
e awe have struggled successfully till today
n he answered. "But the end has come. Un
:. less we can raise a certain sum of money b
= two O'Clock, we are ruined"
"What sum will cave you ?" asked the lad.
3 "The note due is two Thousand dollars. Tt
e wards this we have but three hundred an
seventy-ive."
It Excuse me a moment" said his hostess
is She left the room but quickly returned.
o,o small
paper to John Wilbur, "is my check for tV
It thousand dollars. You can pay it at yor
J. convenience. If you should require moi
It come to me again"
j. MADAM, you have saved u.s." exclaime
Wilbur, springing to his fee: in delight
a "What can have inspired in you such bene1
g olent interest in our prosperity?"
ID "Do you remember, Mr.. Wilbur" said II
t. lady, ga certain valentine, containing a tt
m dollar note, which you sent to a young gi
u occupying an attic room in your lodgir
8. house eight years since p
ct 81 do, distinctly. / have often wonders
1e what became of the young girl. think b
IN name was Helen Morris"
ne "She stands before you" was the quiet r
ne sponse.
Is "You Helen Morris !" exclaimed Wilbr
starting back in amazement. "You surroun
ed ed with luxury"
s. "No wonder you are surprised. Life b
N. strange contrasts. The money which you Ge
he seemed to me to come from God. l was
Dg the brink of despair With it put my war
Is. robe in repair, and made application for q
post of companion to a wealthy lady. l fc
oy tunately obtained it. I had been with
but two years when gentleman in her circ
is, immensely wealthy, offered me his hand in ms
3D. riage. l esteemed him. He was satisfied wi
that. married him. A year since be di'
he leaving nae this house and an immense iortur
e's 1 have never forgotten you, having accidents
elf ly learned that the timely succor came trt
re) you. l resolved, if fortune ever put it 10 l
power, 1 would befrien5 you as you befriend
ic- me- That time has come. l have paid
,rk first installment of my debt. Helen Eusti
de- remembers the obligations of Helen Morris.
John Wilbur advanced, and respectfully to
rot her hand you have nobly repaid me-"
lit said. "Wil you also award me the privila
I'M of ionally calling upon yout"
81 shall be most happy" said Mrs. Eusta
Ink cordially.
the John took hurried leave, and returned
his store as the clock struck one. He she
pa ed his delighted partner the check which
had Just received. II haven't time to explai
her he said, "this must at once be cashed.'
me Two O'clock came an6 the firm was say