Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-12-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
Reminisoenoe of "Fifty-Seven." !"


The late Julian Legrand, famous Paris
merchant, was fond of telling the following
incident of his mercantile life, and he meyer
closed the narrative but with swimming eyes
'During the financial crisis and crash of
fifty seven, when great men were sinking all
around us and banks were tottering, our house
became alarmed at the condition of its own
affairs The partners, three of US. of whom
was the senior-met in our private Office for
consultation. Our junior had made a careful
inventory of everything-of bills receivable
and bills payable-aLd his report was that
twenty thousand pounds (speaking in English
currency Of ready money, to beheld through
the pressure, would save US. Without that,
we must go by the board the result was in
evitable. l went among my friends, but in
vain. The amount of money we needed was
not to be had. Men who held gold would not
let it 90, save upon solid security, and the
only security we could give was our word and
our honor, for the many thousands due us
we're as nothing in that hour
e'Two whole days l strove and begged, and
then returned to the counting house in despair
sat at my desk expecting every moment to
hear the voice of our junior sounding the
terrible words, 'Our paper is protested when
a gentleman entered my apartment unan-
nonnced. He was of middle age, with frank,
genial face and though 1 faucied there was
something familiar in his earnest, kindly look,
vet could not in any way call him to mind.
"sNIr. Legrand,' he said, taking a seat near
nv desk, Il hear that you are in need of
money.
sThe very face of the man inspired conf
dence, and | told him just how l was situated.
"Give me your note of hand, at one year,
without interest, for e2O, 900, and will give
YOU check for that amount"
awhile sat gazing upon him in speechless
astonishment, he continued thus:
"You don't remember me, but remember
you recollect when you were member OF
the superintending school committee of Me-
zieres. l was boy at the school. My IA
thcr was dead my mother was poor; and
was but shabbily dressed, though clean
When our class was called up to recite. on
examination day, you asked the questions
l fancied you would praise and pet the chill
dren of rich and fortunate parents, and pass
me by I bundered and stammered, and
| ouivered with shame. But it was not as l
had thought. In the end, you passed by all
the others and came to me. 1ou laid your
hand uron my head and told me had done
very we'll and then you told me could DC
/ better still if 1 would try. You told me that
! the wav to honor and renown was open to all
! alike-no one had free pass All had tc
do was to be resolved and push on. That
sir, was the turning point of my life. From
that hour my soul was inspired, and have
never reached a great good without blessing
you in my heart. have prospered and an
wealthy, and 1 now offer you but poor re
turn for the soul-wealth you gave to me il
that by-eone time"
81 took the check" said Legrand, San;
drew the gold, and our house was saved
And where, at the end of the year." he added
'do you suppose found my pronissory note!
We could not guess.
s.In the possession" :" he told us with stream
ing eyes, ''of my little orphaned grand daugt
ter! Oh! hearts like that mans heart ar
what bring earth and heaven nearer together