The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-01-24
THE INVESTMENT;
Or, the rwo Merchants.

Or, the Two Merchants.
! nrfr ----------
"Can you loan me two Thousand dol.
lars TO establish pyselfin sinall retail
business Z" Inquired young man not
set ont % his teens, Of middle aged
gentleman, Win was poring over pile
Of ledgers in the counting-room Of Que
Of the largest establishments in Boston,
The person addressed turned toward
the speaker and regarding him mo.
ment with look of surprise, inquired
''What security eau you give, Mr.
| Strosser2 w
Nothing but my note" replied the
young man promptly, hsr
(which | fear would be below par in
market" replied the merchant smiling.
'perhaps So" said the young man,
hut, Mr., Barton, remember that the
boy is not the man the time map come
when Hiram Strossers note win be as
readily accepted as that Of any other
man"
True, very true" replied Mr. Bar
ton mildly, ''but you know business
men seldom loan money without ade-
9iate sccurity-otherwise they might
soon be reduced TO penury."
At this remark the young mans coun-
tcnance became deathly pale, aud hay-
Ing observed a silence Of several mo
ments he inquired in voice whose tones
indicated his deep disappointment
Then you cannot accommodate me,
eau youg" 3'a
"Call upon me to morrow, and | will
give you my reply" said Mr.. Barton !;
and the young man retired.
Alr Barton resumed his labors ut the
desk, but has mind WIS so much upon
the boy aud his singular crrand that he
could not pursue his task with any cor
rectness and. after having made sevc-
raj sad blunaers, he closed the ledger,
aud took his hat, and went out upon the
street Arriving opposite the store of
wealthy merchant upon Milk street,
he entered the d or. HtC
"Good morning Nh, llawley,' said he,
approaching the proprietor OF tho ostab.
lishment who was seated at his disk.
counting over tho profits Of the week.
'uooa ats.",ns," replied the merl
chant, blaodlyi "liappy to see you !;
have a seatg Amy news how's trader"
Without noticipgthesc iDterrogatious,
Mr.. Barton said: b alit' p 2
Young Strosscr is dcsirous OF estab-
fishing himself in small retail business
in Washington street, and called this
morning. TO secure of me loan Of two
Thousand dollars for that purpose"
Indeed !" exclaimed Hawley, evi-
dcntly surprised ut the announcement !;
but you do not think Of leaning that
sum, do you N t9 ga
81 do not know," replied Mr.. Bar
ton, Mr.. Strosser is young man of
business talent and strict integrity. and
will be likely to succeed in whatever he
undertakes" a
perhaps so,' replied Mr. IIuwIey, a
little doubtful. r'but attn heartily tired
Of helping to re.establish these young
aspirants for commercial hopors."'
"llave you ever suffered any from
such course inquired MIR. Barton,
at the same time casting roguish glance
at Mr. Hawlcy.
"Nc, replied the latter, for l never
felt inclined to make an Investment Of
that kind"
"Ihen here is iine opportunity to
do so. 1t may prove better than the
stock in the bank As for myself,
have concluded that, if you willadvauce
him one thousand dollars, will con
tribute an equal sum-"
mot a single farthipg would / ad.
vance for such apurpose and If you
make an investment Of that kind,
shall consider you very foolish"
Mr.. Ban ton obscrScd silence of sew
eral minutes and then arose to depart.
''lf you do not feel disposed 70 share
with me in this enterprise Ishall adj
vance the whole sum myself" ~
Ten years have passed away since the
occurrence Of the conversation recorded
in the preceding dialogue, and Mr.. Bar
ton, pale aud agitated, Is standing at
the same desk US when first introduced
to the readers attention. As page az.
ter page Of his ponderous ledger was
examined, his despair BECAME deeper
and deeper, till at last he exclaimed.
81 nm ruiaed--utterly ruined r.
slow so ~ inquired Hiram Strosscr,
who entered the counting room in sea.
son to hear Mr.. Barton's remark
"Tho last European steamer brought
news of the failure of the house Of fer
leh, Jackson q Co., London, who are
Indebted to me in the sum nearly two
hundred thousand dollars. News Of tho
failure has become general, aud my
creditors, pahicstrickcn, arc pressing
iu my papers TO be cashed. The banks
refuse me- credit and | have not the
means @ meetmy liabilities Ill could
pass this crisis, perhaps Icould rally
again, but i is impossible; my credi-
tors are importunate, and cannot keen
above tho tide, " replied Mr.. Barton.
What is the eextent Of your liabilities
Inquired ,Strosser. e:ia
"Scvnty-6ve thousand dollars.'' rc.
piled Mr. Barton.
"Would that sum DO suf6cient to rc-
..ma.m -.