The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-08-06
Misfellaneuns.
THE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL.

Mr.. John Somers was merchant, doing
business in thriving country village. He
had two clerks in his employ, but with
some differences, in minor points of char
acter. Peter White was twenty-one years
of age. the child of n now widowed moth
cr. and in his choice of profession he had
only been governed by the desire to yield
10 his mother and self the sureSt means OF
honest support.
Walter Sturgis was of the same age,
and equally honest, but he paid more at
tention to outward appearances of things,
than did his companion. For instance, IL
CALLED him TO put on his frock and coat and
oyeralls, help pack up pork, potatoes, and
SO on; while Peter cared not what he did,
so long rs il was honest.
One day Mr.. Somers called the two
Young men into his counting-roOm and
closed the door after them. His counten-
ance looked troubled, and il was some mo-
ments before he spoke.
Boys" said he at length, al have been
doing foolish thing. l have lent my
name to those l thought my friends, and
they have ruined me! | gave them ac-
commodation notes, and they promised
solemnly that those notes should not pass
their hands save to such men rs might
accept. OF course took their notes in
exchange. They have now failed and
cleared out, and have left my paper in the
market To the amount of seven or eight
thousand dollars. may rise again, but l
must give up my business. Everything in
the store Is attached. and am left utterly
powerleSs 10 do business now. | have
looked over Your accounts and | find that
owe YOU about hundred dollars each.
Now, I have Just hundred dollars in
money, and the small piece of land on the
side of the hill just back of the town house.
There are four acres of land, and have
been offered hundred dollars for ii, by
those who have lands adjoining. l feared
this blow which has come upon me, and
conveyed this land to my brother; so that
he can convey IL To whom he pleases.
Now wish you TO make your choice. IL
could pay YOU both money would; but
as 1 cannot, one of YOU must take this land.
What say YOU? You Walter, have been
with me the longest and You shall decide
first
Walter Sturgis heSitated some moments,
and then said:
81 am sure don't want the land, unless
could sell Il right or"
"Ah. hut that wont do returned Mr..
Somers. "If YOU take the land you must
keep It. Were you to sell il, my creditors
would say Mt once that you did il for me,
and then pocketed the money"
Then am willing to divide the money.
for can easily raise the hundred dollars
on the land. My brother will do that.
But imagined that you would prefer the
land. for | know the soil Is good although
quite rocky. However, what say You,
Peter7''
"Why. viii take the land" returned
Peter, ''or will divide equally with Wal
ter-each Of ms 10 take half the land"
"But what should want with the
land3" said Walter. IL could not work
il. should hardly like to descend from
clerkship to digging and delving in blue
frock and cowhide boots"
Then IL Is easily settled rejoined Pc
ter. '.for should prefer the land"
Walter was pleased with this, and before
night he had the hundred dollar bill in his
pocket. and Peter had the warranty deed
OF the four acres OF land upon the hillside.
Roth the Young men belonged to the vii
lage, and had always lived there. Ii was
only five miles from the city, and OF course
many city fashions were prevalent there.
II was under the influence OF this fashion
that Walter Sturgis refused TO have any
thing To do with the land.