Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-07
Hard Road 20 Travel.

What shall Il answer therc'
r.-
Hard Road 10 Travel.
BORROWING HIMSELF OUT or DEgr
OF all the hard work in the world, to liy
by borrowing is perhaps the hardest, aud @
all the mean work in the world, that is abou
the meanest Pride, independence and sell
respect, one after the other, are sacrificed
until the man sinks into contempt.
Peter Oglethorpe was not borrower b
profession. He had started in life with
small patrimony, and worked along independ
emily until his 6fticth year, when losses i
trade deprived him Of the means of payin
certain obligations and be found himself sud
denly involved in trouble.
Z" Mr. Oglethorpe," said man who cam
into his office one morning about this time
" want you to settle that account"
=" 1t is impossible to do so now, Mr. Spice
wholly impossible You have heard Of m
trouble2" Mr.. Oglethorpe exhibited bot
distress and agitation.
No; | have trouble enough of my owl
without looking after that of other people,
was rather grutfly answered. He had hear
of the trouble, however, and had called anon
the first to secure his debt if possible.
I" have met heavy losses, said Mr.. 0gle
thorpe" losses that cover more than an
WORTH AT a tims when | expected to b
easy and comfortable, find myself suddenl,
thrown to the wall"
What do you purpose doing r. asked Mr.
Spicer, abruptly.
Doing justly" was answered, with som,
dignity OF manner.
No one doubts that" said the creditor
softening considerably 4" But what are tn,
steps you propose taking2"
My trouble is so recent" replied Ogle
thorpe, " that | remain undecided as to tn
best course of action. But of one thing yol
may be certain there will be no preference
Of one creditor over another ; all will b.
treated alike"
Then you mean to stop payment "
If | have lost the means of payment
how am l to pay my obligation2o
You are evidently putting the worst fac
upon affairs, Mr. Ogethorpe' The visitor
manner underwent further change "Le
me suggest different course of action"
"Say on Mr.. Oglethorpe cast his eye
to the floor and bent his head in silent atten
ton.
Don't think Of giving up in this way.
The tone of Mr.. Spicer was insinuating.
But how am | to 60 forward ?" was tn
debtors prompt interrogation. " For instance
| owe you two hundred dollars, and you wan
the money"
| al do"
Very well Aud what nextr
Borrow"
Borrow 2"
Yes. You have many friends who viii
take pleasure in giving you temporary aid
| The disaster may not prove so serious as yol
imagine, and you may be able TO struggle
| through and recover yourself without n shad
ow being cast on your good name. If yol
suffer present obligations to be dishonored
remember that your reputation must rcceiv,
a stain. Tnis can not be avoided. Ther,
are men who have no word but dishonest
with which to designate those who fail to pa,
them what is due, no matter what causes pro
duco the failure Think of this Mr.. Ogle
thorpe, and weigh well the consequences be
fore you take the doubtful step you hav,
proposed to yourself. You have family
and for their sakcs do not permit this disgrae,
to come upon you and them"
Mr.. Oglethorpe was partially stunned by
this, lie had not thought Of disgrace-only
misfortune. lie sat for some time like ont
stupefed.
Don't give up, sir! don't give up :" Mr.
Spicer laid his hand on the arm of Mr.. Ogle
thorpe and spoke cheerily. Never let il
be said that you permitted an obligation t
remain uncancelled. Put on a brave, cheer.
ful face and you will 90 through car
wait until tomorrow for money That will
give you time to turn around And when.
ever you want aid or counsel, remember that
Jacob Spicer is your friend"
The creditors counses prevailed Mr.
0glethorpe, instead of standing up bravely
and meeting his trouble face to face, began
the hopeless task Of borrowing himself out
Of debt lie was involved upon his means Of
payment about five thousand dollars. His
business yielded him little over twenty-five
hundred dollars n year in net profit; and as
his family expenses never exceeded fifteen
huudrei dollars, he was simply in a condition
to pay up in full at the end Of five years.
To do this, however, n fair arrangement with
all his creditors was necessary, and all would
have to make concessions in his favor. Strict
attention 10 business was also requisite Such
an arrangement could have been made, and
all wonld have come out right in the end.---
But unwise counsel prevailed.
On the day following Mr. Spicer's visit
that gentleman received his two hundred dol
hrs, which Mr.. Oglethorpe borrowed from Q
friend undcr promise Of repayment on the
day after. Another friend furnished the
money to make this loan good, and third
supplied the means Of taking up small notC
that fell due in the mean time. BY the end
Of a week or two, Mr., Oglethorpe was fairly
inducted into the mysteries and miseries Of
borrowing. His line of accommodation IL
this direction had already reached the sum Of
two thousand dollars, part Of which had
been received from professional lender, who
charged the moderate interest of half per
cent day, To keep this large accumulation
ahead Of him was no easy task, and our bor-
rover found but little time on his hands for
the ordinary duties required in business. -
Steadily this accumulation Of business went
on, until it reached the full sum of his losses,
and steadily it increased by the addition Of
excessive interests, while the poor mans in
come decreased in consequence Of his neglect
Of business.
Jacob Spicer never loaned Mr.. Oglethorpe
single dollar. His advice had been given
seldshly and hcartlessly. To got the whole
Of small claim, he had been willing to lead
an honest. but not clear-sighted man, into a
wrong way that led to certain worldly ruin.
Many times, in eases Of extremity, has Mr..
Oglcthorpo called upon Spccr, but always
the same cold refusal met his applications.
The shrewd INSCRIPTIONS man knew that the
end must come; that, sooner or later, Ogle-
thorpe must be driven under, aud he was not