The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-09-24
A Green Spot.

The late Noah Winslow was fond O
telling the following incident Of hi, mer
cautile life and never closed the nara
ton but with swimming eyes.
During the financial crash and crisis ol
"ffty.seven," when heavy men were sink
ing all arouud us, and banks were totter.
ing. our house became alarmed in view
Of the condition Of its own affairs. The
partners-three Of US. Of whom was the
scnior-mct in our private Office for con.
sultation. Our junior had made care
ful inventory Of everything,-of bills re-
ceivable and bills payable-and his report
was, that twenty thousand dollars Of ready
money. to be held through the pressure
would save us. Without that we must go
by the board-the result was cvitable.
went ont on the street and 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 go. save
upon solid sccurity-and all the security
we could give was our word and honor,
for the many thousands duo us were as
nothing in that hour.
Two whole days I strovc and begged,
and then returned to the counting room
in despair. I sat ut 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 familiar In his earnest, kindly
look, yet could not locate him, nor call
him to mind in any way.
''Mr. Winslow," he said taking q seat
ut the end of my desk,"I hear that you
are in need ofmoncy."
The very face Of the man inspired con.
iidcncc, and I told him how I WIS situat.
ed.
"Make me your individual note for one
year, without interest, for twenty thous.
and dollars, and I will give YOU check
payable in gold, for that amount"
While sat gazing upon him in speech
less astonishment, he continued
"You don't remember me; but I no.
member you. I remember when you
were member of the Supcrintending
School Committee of Bradford. I was a
boy in the village school. My father was
dead; my mother was poor, and I was
but q shabbily clad child, though clean.
When our class came out to recitc on OK.
animation day, you asked the questions.
I fancied you would praise and pet the
children of rich and fortunate parents,
and pass me by. blundcred and stan,-
mered, and quivered with shame. But 1t
was not rs thought. In the end you
passed by all the others, and came to me.
You laid your hand upon my head. and
told me I had done well; and then you
told me / could do better still II I would
try. You told me the way to honor and
renown was open to all alike-no one had
free pass. You told me nll I had to do
was to be resolved, and push on. That,
sir. was the turning point. of my life.
From that hour my soul has aspired; and
I never reached u great good without
blessing you in my heart. I have pros
percd. and am wealthy: and now I offer
you but u poor return for the soul-wealth
You gave to me in that by-gone time"
81 took the check" said Winslow. "and
I drew the gold; and our house was
saved. And where, ut the end Of the
year." he added. 'do you suppose found
my note?"
We could not guess.
"In tho possession" he said. with
streaming eyes, "of my little orphaned
granddaughter! Oh, hearts like that
mans heart are what bring heaven and
earth nearer together ", >