The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-04-06

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houses that seemed built upon n rock |
tottored all at once to their fall. Do
not many remember that all too well,
when merchants with anxious faces
ran from one to another to solicit help
and met only ayerted faces and dis
trustiul looks ? And how was it in
that time Of the universal panic with
our friends Stacy & Wilbur?
Up to 1857 they had been doing an
excellent business. They had gradu-
ally enlarged their operations, and
were rapidly growing rich when this
crash came.
They Immediately took in sail.
Both were prudent, and both felt that
now was the time when this quality
was urgently needed.
BY great efforts they had succeeded
in keeping up till the 14th of Februa-
ny, 1858. On that morning note Of
two thousand dollars ime due. This
was their last peril That surmount-
ed, they would be able to go on with
assured confidence.
But this alas was the rock on which
they had most apprehension. They
had taxed their resources to the ut
most. They had called upon their
friends, but their friends were en-
ployed in taking care of themselves.
and the selfish policy was the one
then required
Look out for number one, super
scded the golden rule for the time be-
ing.
As l have said, two thousand dol
lars were due on the 1st OF February.
How much have you got toward
it p asked Wilbur, as Stacy came in
at half past eleven.
"Three hundred and seventy-fye
dollars was the dispirited reply.
'Was that all you could raiser Z" in
CURED his partner, turning pale. care
you sure you thought of everybody 7"
Il have been everywhere. I'm
tagged to death, was the weary reply
Of Stacy, as he sank exhausted into a
chair.
"Ihen the crash must come said
Wilbur, with gloomy resignation
81 suppose 1t must"
There was a silence. Neither felt
inclined to say anything. For six
months they had been struggling with
the tide. They could see shore, but
in sight Oft they must go down.
At this moment q note was brought
in by boy. There was 10 postInark.
Evidently he was a special messenger
1t was opened at once by Mr.. Vii
bur, to whom it was directed. 1t con
tanned these few words only:
IF Mr.. John Wilbur VIII call imme.
diately at No, Fifth Avenue, he viii
learn something to his great adyan-
tage"
There was no, signature
John Wilbur fead it with surprise
and passed it tofhis partner. "Mhat
does it mean, do you think ?"
Il don't know, was the reply, "bul
l advise you to go at once
at seems to be in feminine hand
writing" said Wilbur, thoughtfuny.
yes. Don't you know any lady Oh
Fifth Ayenye p
'None" -.
"Well, it is worth noticing. We
have met with SO little to our advan.
tage lately that it will be a refreshing
variety.
In five minutes John Wilbur jumped
into horse car, and was on his way tc
No, Fifth Avenue
he walked up to the door of a mag
nihcent brown-stone house and rang
the bell He was instantly admitted
and shown into the drawing su-
perbly FURNISHED.
He did not have to wait long. An
elegantly dressed lady, scarcely thirty,
entered, and bowIng SAID: You do
not remember me, MIR. WILBUR"
NO, madam, said he in perplexity
We viii waive that, then, and pro-
coed to business. How has your
house borne the crisis III which SO ma
ny of our large firms have gene down:
John Wilbur smiled bitterly
"We have struggled successfully till
to-day" he answered. But the end
has come. Unless we can raise a GER
tain sum of money by two, we are ru-
ined."
What sum will save you ?" was tho
ladys question.
''The note due is two thousand dol
lars. Toward this we have but three
hundred and seyenty-hve.
Excuse me moment said the
hostess. She left the room, but quick
ly returned.
There" said she, handing a small
strip of paper to John Wilbur, SIS my
check for two thousand dollars. You
can repay it at your convenience. If
you should reqaire more, come to me
again"
Madam, you have saved us, ex-
claimed Wilbur, springing to his feet
in delight. "Whst can have inspired
in you such benevolent interest in
our prosperity"
"Do you remember, Mr.. Wilbur, "
said the lady, "a certain valentine con
tanning a ten dollar note, which you
sent to young girl occupying an at
tic room in your lodging house, eight
years since p
IL do distinctly. have often Won
dered what became of the young girl.
think her name was Helen Morris.
sSle stands before Won" WAS the