The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-11-20
@isfellauenus.
IN DIFFICULrIES.
A TALE or REAL LIFE.

A TALE OF REAL LIFE.
About two years since, n very intimate
friend Of mine, some years my senior, 70
lated the following story to me. I thinl
/ cannot do better than give II In his Owr
words, for while II amused, Il Mt the same
made such an impression on me, that
paid of divers small debts had hitherto
neglected, and have since never allowed
myself any luxury could not pay for,
TRUST this tale may prove rs amusing,
and perhaps rs profitable to some Of my
readers rs II was to me.
When I was about twenty-five years oi
age was I'm the army although was moi
rich, was very well of. rs my friends
gave me an allowance of two hundred
pounds year; but rs was very thought
less AMI very extravagant, spent coii-
slderably more than this, allowing my
half.yearly bills to remain unpaid. In q
short time, however. some Of my trades.
men applied to me for payment. threaten
ing to apply to my relations II did not
comply with their demands. In order to
avoid the rem0nstrances OF my family.
aud because it was far easier, trusting
also, perhaps, In q lucky hit on tho Derby,
borrowed money at high interest on my
commlssion-ln short. In about eighteen
months found owed about thousand
pounds. The money lenders were clam
orous for payment, threatening to arrest
me, so was ut last compelled to apply to
my friends; they. however. firmly refused
10 help me In any way, telling me that rs
had involved myself so deeply, nOtwith-
standing the liberal allowance I had re-
ceivetl. Il was clear the army was too eS-
penslve for me, and that had better give
II up. was obliged to sell my cOmmls-
sion, which realized about eight hundred
pounds. but rs 1t was assigned or mort
gagged for that amount to some Of those
who had advanced me money, they were
paid and my unfortunate tradesmen re-
ceived nothing. My friends declined pay
Ing them-thelr claim being about two
hundred pOunds-rcduccd my allowance
to fltty pounds year, and allowed me to
reside with them until could obtain some
appointment which would enable me to
pay my debts. They also told me that
until had done this and SO redeemed my
character. they would do nothing for me,
as they could place no confidence In my
promises.
You see was already beginning to see
some OF the fruits Of my extravagance.
i had LEFT the army, which was the only
profession l then thought could ever
like, and my means were diminished; but
i was not yet sufficiently punished to In
duce mo to set to work In earnest.
SO l remained In London, living In a
luxurious home frequenting many of my
former haunts, assOciating with my friends
and going to my club-in fact, doing moth
Ing, and trying to persuade my friends
nh tnu nj thaf slno ~, IN nIN
tain some sort OF an appointment. This
went OH for about six months, until my
creditors, losing all patience, Informed me
they would actually arrest me II did not
pay them. This gave me considerable
anxiety, although I did not think they
would proceed To such eXtremlties. How
ever, took the precautlOn to give orders
to my aunt's servants to say, II any one
called for me that was out Of town. 1
medltated going away, but knew not
where to 20. had no friends out OF
London, and Of course Il was absurd to
try and live on my allowance. spent
that In cigars and gloves alone.
One evening, ut about seven O'Clock,
just rs had come down dressed for din
ner, and was crossing the hall tn. go Into
the drawlng-room, Isaw tlid butter open
the street door, and, not having yet had
time to close the drawing-room door, over
heard the following dialogue:
'Is Mr.. - ut homer
"No, he has just gone abroad"
''Can you forward this letter to himg'
"No. He did not leave his address; he
never does"
''Come, that's nonsense" said the man,
passing the fOotman and walking into the
hall. II know he Is In London, and that
he lives here; and II YOU won't undertake
to deliver the letter to him, I'll sit here
until he comes In"
All remonstrances on the part Of the
footman was quite useless; the man was
told he was not In my house. that he had
no right to remain there, all In vain; SO
one Of the servants was eventually obliged
to call policeman, who, when he found
the house was the private residence of q
lady. who refused to give my address, Or
dered my obnoxious friend out. He went
opinion he had formed of my humble self,
and which was anything bit flatterlng.
Although Ii Is now some years since
this occurrence took place. the feelings
experienced on the occasion recur to me
as wildly rs though Il had only happen-
ed yesterday. was perfectly stunned,
deprived almost of the power of collect
Ing my IDEAS, and scarcely think 1t pos
siblc for any one. no matter what they
may have done, to feel more ashamed
than I did on that eventfhl day. No one
spoke to me, but my relations were talk
Ing to each other; and l heard asi a
dream. such words or parts OF sentences
as the following: "Disgrace." Subject
to insult In ones own house," "Scandal
In the neighbOrhood." "Scrvants," etc.
I mechanically went In to dinner, where i
fancied | saw the butler, who was usual
" very grave man, actually smiling mt
me. However, this must have been mere
Imagination on my part-he never could
have presumed SO to forget himself.
Although nothing was said on the sub
ject | knew must leave my aunt's house
mt once, 80 resolved to leave for Paris
the next day, and there to seek some kind
of employment which should enable me
To pay my debts, or, mt any rate, maintain
myself. until my relations should relent.
and perhaps come to my aid, so packed
my portmanteau and prepared for my de-
parturc. however fOresaw great dlfll.
culties In my way. which my Imagination
increased. i began to think every one
cOnspired to impede my escape; i was
not certain whether some of my creditors,
or their agents, might not be standing ut
the very door, or little way of, to inter-
cept me as soon as appeared. In order,
therefore, to attract as little notice as pos
slble, sent mail-servant with my lug
gage to the railway station. and directed
him to take my ticket, register my lug
gage, and, In fact, make all arrangements
so that might arrive just In time, and
jump, rs It were, from the cab Into the
train. About five minutes before the ap-
pointed time drove up to the station,
carefully mufiled up In Overcoats aud Ill.
yers wraps, with my travelling cap close
ly pulled down over my face, which gave
people the Idea was suffering from vlo-
lent cold, and, casting a hurried glance
around asI arrived. hastily jumped out
Of the cab. and was rapidly entering the
station, already congratulaiing myself on
the good luck had met with, when sud-
denly heard some one running after me,
and calling out something, which was
too agitated to hear; despair gave me