North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-05-04
r." From St. Valentine 7"


view"
Eight years passed. away. Eight years
with their lights and shadows. They bro't
with them the merry voices of children
they brought with them new made graves
happiness to some and grief to others.
Toward the last they brought the great
commercial crisis of '57, VIXEN houses seem
ed built upon rock tottered all at once to
'heir fall. Do not many remember that
time all to we'll, when merchants, with anx-
ious faces ran from one to another to solicit
help, and met only averted faces and distrust
ful looks.
AND how was it in that time of universal
failure, with our friends-Stacy and Will
burg
Up to 1857 they had been doing an excel
lent business. They had gradually enlarged
the sphere of operations, and were rapidly
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
HBy great efforts they had succeeded in
keeping up till the l4th of February, 1858
On that morning a note of two thousand
dollars came due, This was their last peril
That surmounted they would be able to 60
on with assured confile nce
But, alas this was the rock Of which
they had most apprehension. They had tax
ed their resources to the utmost, They had
called upon their friends, but their friends
were employed in taking care of themselves
and the selfish policy was the one required
| then.
"Look ont for number one" superseded
the. golden 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 ?'-
Asked Wilbur, as Stacy came in at half past
eleven. .-..
Three hundred and seventy dollars"
was the dspirited reply.
Was that all you could raise 2" inquired
his partner turning pale.
"All."
Are you sure you thought of every
body 2"
81 have been everywhere. Pm tagged to
DEATH" was the weary reply Of Stacy, as he
sank exhausted into chair.
Then the crash must come,' said Will
bur, with gloomy resignation.
" suDnose il must
There was silence. Neither felt inclin
ed to say anything. For SIX months the Y
had been struggling with the tide. They
see shore, but in sight of it they must 60
down.
At this moment note was brought in by
a boy. There was no postmaIk. Evidently
he was a special messenger,
1t was opened at once by Mr.. Wilbur, to
whom it was directed. 1t contained these
few words only:
If Mr.. John Wilbur will Immediately at
No. Fifth Avenue, he will learn something
to his great advantage"
John Wilbur read it with surprise, and
passed it to his partner, What dues 1t
mean DO you thlnK &!
"It seems to be femenine handwriting
said Wilbur thoughtfuliy.
eyes, don't you know any lady on fifth
Avenue ?"
Well, it is worth noticing. We have
met with SO little to our advantage lately
that it will he refreshing variety"
| IoIa
a horse car, and was OF his way to No.
Fifth Avenue.
| He walked up to the door of a msgniffi
cent brown stone house and rang the BELL
! He was instantly admitted and shown into
the drawing room, suitably furnished
He did not have to wait long. An ele
gantly dressed lady, scarcely thirty, entered,
and bowling said, =" You do not remember me,
Mr. Wilbur ?"
No, madam" said he, in perplexity.
We will waive that, then, and proceed
TO business. How mas your house borne
the crisis in which so many of our large firms
have gono down ?"
John Wilbur smiled bitterly.
We have struggled successfully till to-
dav,n ne answered. " But the end has come
Unless We can raise certain sum OF money
by two, we are ruined"
"What sum will save you ?" was the la
dy's question.
"The note due is two thousand dollars
Towards this we have but three hundred
and seventy-hve" &.
"Excuse me a moment" said his hostess.
She left the room, but quickly returned
"There, I" said she, handing small strip
Of naper TO Joan WILDER, {" is my check for
two thousand dollars. You can repay at
.vour convenience. If you should require