Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-12-23
"Reminiscences of .Fifty-seven.,

The late Julion Lagrand, famous
Paris merchant, was fond of telling the fol-
lowing incident of his mercantile life, and
he never closed the narrative but with
swimming eyes:
"Daring the financial crisis and crash
OF htty-seven, when great men were sink
ing all around US and banks were totter-
ing, our house became alarmed at the
condition Of its own affairs. The partners,
three of US, of whom Twas the senior
met in our private Office for consultation
Our junior had made careful inventory
OF everything-of bills receivable and bills
payable and his report was that twenty
thousand pounds Speaking in English
currency OF ready money, 70 be held
through the pressure, would save US
Without that, we'must go by the board !;
the result was inevitable. | went among
my friends, bat in vain. The amount of
money We needed was not to be had
Men who held gold would not let it go,
save upon solid security. and the only Sc
curlty We could give was our word and our
honor, for the many thousands due US
were as nothing in that hour.
1.-Two whole days [ stroye and begged
and then returned to the counting house in
dispair. [ sat at my desk expecting every
moment to hear the voice of our junior
sounding the terrible words, Our paper
is protested when gentleman entered
my apartment unannounced. He was of
middle age, with frank genial face, and
though | fancied there was something ia
miliar in his earnest, kindly look, yet [
could not call him to mind in any way.
IN. Legrand,' he said taking a seat
near my desk, 1 hear that you are in need
of money"
1.-The very face of the man inspired con-
fideuce, and [ told him just how I was sit
uated.
"Giye me your note of hand, at one
year, without interest, for 100000, and
will give you check for that amount. :"
"While sat gazing upon him in speech
less establishment, he continued thus:
"You don't remember me, but I re-
member you. remember when you were
member of the experimenting school
committee Of Mezieres. I was a boy at
the school. My father was dead my
mother was poor; ami I was but stability
dressed though clean. When our class
was called up to reeite, on examination
day, you asked the questions | fancied
you would praise and pet the children of
the rich and fortunate parents and pass me
by. [ Numbered and stammered and
quivered with shame. But it was not as
| had thought. In the end, you passed
by all the others and came to me- You
laid your hand upon my head and told ne
| had done very well !; and then you told
me | could do better sti'l if would try.
You told me that the way to honor and
renown was open to all alike-no one had
free pass. All | had to do was to be
resolved and push on. That. sir, was the
| turning point in 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 am
wealthy, aud now offer you but a poor
return for the soul-wealth you gave to me
in that by gone time
Il toek the check, said Legrand, ''and
drew the gold, and our house was saved.
And where, at the end Of the year." he
added, ''do you suppose I found my
promissory note?
We could not guess.
10 the possession" he told ms with
streaming eyes, ''of my little orphaned
grand daughter f! Oh. hearts like that
mans heart are what bring earth and
heaven nearer together ~