The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-07-11
Mistellanp.
THE GOLDEN TEST.

nerSj drank MS wines, borrowed MS
money, fattered his taste, professed the
warmest friendship, and he in the
warmth of his heart and the singleness
of his nature believed their professions
never suspecting what it was that Eade
him such favorite.
So tEo years passed away. He had
spent large sums how large he did not
know for he kept his money in the
hands Of business friend.
One day he dropped into the Office Of
his agent and called for thousand dol
lars.
You are spending money fast, Har-
court" said his friend.
That's what money was made for,
isn't it ?" said Harcourt.
Yes, but"
" And I am literally provided. It
will take me long time to spend a
quarter of a million"
No, not at the rate you have been
spending money for the last two years" 3"
" You don't mean that" said the
young man seriously.
" Yes l do"
Have exceeded my iLcome ?"
" Largely"
How largely"
"Within the last two years you have
got rid of ore hundred thousand dol.
lars. You, can judge how long your
money will last at that rate"
Three more years."
Yes, if you continue but that 1
hope you won't do"
And yet" said Harcourt respect
fully, it has been so pleasant to gather
my friends about me. Such warm
hearted, pleasant fellows !"
His friend regarded him fxedly.
You have perfect confidence in
their friendship ?"
eyes"
And you don't think they are q.
tracted by your dinners and your readi.
ness to give it, since no. one in ten OF
your loans will ever be paid 2"
'Of course l do not think so basely
of them," said young Harcourt, very in
dignantly. :,
:" You think their friendship would
be unchanged if you were to lose all
your money ;?
Certainly you are cynic Mason,
or you would never don5t it's
Suppose you put them to the test,
said his friend quietly.
How do you mean
This. Let me report that you have
lost money by speculation-yol know
you lost money by that Grand Combina
ton Petroleum Company-shut up your
establishment, give up your luxurious
habits come to my Office as clerk fol
mon tn and see how your friends viii
stand the test
The novelty Of the plan struck Har
court. 1t would be a clever mystifca
ton.
'I'll do it, said he promptly. 'Wher
shall | commence
Next week. By that time the re
port will have got round. You musn'
forget yourself. Lay aside your finc
clothing and dress in accordance witt
your altered circumstances. Seek ;
cheap boarding place and then we shal
see what will be the result
very well. You'll find am righ
and that don't rely vainly upon tn
friendship of such men as Bolton, Ora.
and Ponsonby.'
Il hope you may be right. 1t vii
increase my respect for human nature
The next day it was currently report
ed that Lionel Harcourt was bank
rupt.-His evtravagant living and un
fortunate speculations had brough
about the disastrous result. Every
body was surprised at first. His friend
regretted the dinners they had lost, ant
the purse which had ever been open t
them. How much more they regret
ted will appear in the sequel.
1t was with rather si0gular feeling
that Lionel Harcourt started to visit hi
friends, knowing that his bankruptc
had been reported.
He met Fred Bolton in the street
'Ah, friend Bolton said he, Ho'
are you p
: How are you, Harcourt p said Bo
D ton, but not with his usual cordiality :
Sorry TO hear Of your loss of fortune
, Yes, it is uuluckly, but neve
valued money SO much as friends.
> am young and may get my money back
Eyes, of course, said Bolton in an en-
$ barrassod manner. hope you will
/, He had borrowed two thousand do
e lars Of Harcourt, only short time b,
fore, which he didnt mean TO pay if b
could help it, though abundantly abl
He was afraid Harcourt would mentio
it, and he wanted to get away. In h
loose unbusiness like fashion, HarcOu