Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-14
Miseellantpns.
10
LOOKING ON BOTH SIDES.

| The Boston Commercial Bulletin, tells
this story:
''Much is said to those whose prospects
are under cloud, or who have met with
disappointment in life, Of the necessity Of
looking on the bright side. No doubt this
necessity exists, as there are people who
persist in looking at only one side, and
that generally the least attractiye. An
amusing Illustration of the advantage and
necessity of looking at both sides has just
come to our knowledge.
''As every one is aware the failures in
business that have occurred at the opening
OF the year have made all business men
keenly alive to every report or rumor af-
ieeting mercantile credit, while the losses
OF some firms by shrinkage of values and
the mlsfortunes of customers have caused
them to look after all available means
pretty sharply. A firm of this class which
has been prospecting rs how to make
every dollar possible, the other day had
an interview with responsible customer
OF large standing, with regard to the
latter's discounting his own paper. which
they held to quite n large amount. The
transaction was nearly concluded, but left
quiet for day or two by the firm in ques-
tion-not wishing to press too hard in
!
tavorably; then one OF the partners found,
to his CONSERVATION, on going to the mer-
chants counting-room, that he had left
very suddenly for the West the day before.
"a council of partners was Immediately
held. How should the money be raised?
In the midst of the discussion the letters
just arrived by the mail from the West
were passed ia, among which one bearing
the absent merchants well known chirog-
raphy was detected.
6 'Ahr exclaimed one of the trio,
heres something from old Bulge, but
what the deuce is he doing at Erie p added
he, glancingat the post-mark OF the epistle,
let me see.
1.-The letter was opened, and the part
ner holding it proceeded to read rs follows:
ERIE, Pa, January, -, 1871.
| MEssRs. SHoRTERS, PIKE, RUST & Co.
-Gentlemen 1t was unfortunate that
did not see you before leaving town in re-
speet to the proposition made to make up
the paper. | was compelled by pressing
circumstances to leave. You may think it
singular to hear from me here, but things
We're going WRONG at Chicago. You your
self must know the worst by this time; /
have failed
Busted, by all the godsr calculated
floor. The games up, gentlemen; orU
goose is cooked
"Failed, is it 81 said the CO. That's
the very word roared Pike; failed, and
just II hundred and five thousand dollars
gone to pot because you were so cussed
slow about the matter
" Slow what do you mean by that p
shouted the other. If | was al. fast as
some men in this firm, it would have gone
to the wall months ago.
well, well, gentlemen said old Short
ers, don't quarrel let us see what can be
done about it,.
Done, said Rust putting in his oar;
nothing can be done. Our firms done.
lou won't get ten cents on the dollar. l
always knew old Bulge would go under
some day (Rust was one of those men who
always told you so" when anything hap
pened)-Bulge has got away off in Penn
sylvania to get rid of his creditors-you'll
whistle for your mony. But one thing is
certain, sixty thousand more has got to
come into this party before Thursday noon,
or therell be another failure.
1.-The CO. evidently thought seriously
of the 'whistling' effort, for he followed
his partners assertion with long drawn.
expressive whew-w. Send up to Bris-
ket's office. and get out an attachment.
Come; let's get in first among the mourn
ers, at all events said Pike, leaping to
his feet and seizing his hat
"'Wait bit,' said old Shorters, ad-
Ijusting his eyeglasses, let's look at the
letter again Why said he, taking it up
from the floor, you haven't read it all
here's writing on tother side
"'Is there ?" said Pike, with gasp.
We'll, what does he offer-twenty cents.
"'Gou shall hear said the senior part
ner, and proceeded to read the letter, as
Pike had done, till he came to the follow
ing; You, yourselves, must know the
WeSt-that's west, Pike, not worst
1.-The deuce it is well, 60 on
IL have failed
lila, ha, said Pike, mo mistake about
that word
"'None at ALL, said Shorters, turning
over the page and continuing:
81 have failed to make connection with
the night train and therefore improve the
opportunity to drop you this line, saying l
will cash the whole amount of the paper
ut the figures proposed. l send by this
mail drafts to my cashier, with instruc-
tions to do the needful.
Yours respectfully. ~. BULGE
'Hurrah," shouted the Co, executing
Il pirouette, that comes of being slow
slows the word, my boy
That's piece of luck, if it did cost
twelve per cent, said Rust. Bulge un-
derstands thing or two. | always told
you so; he is sure TO cash up if he can
make good shave
Bulge did cash up; he made good
shave. Shorters, Pike, Rust & Co. were
in funds, and Pike ever since always looks
on both sides Of letter sheets, as well as
questions, before coming tp conclu-
sionn