The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-02
Looking on Both Sidcs-A Lively
Commercial SHrn.

Looking on Both Sides-A Lively
Commercial EHrn.
The Boston Commercial Bulletin of the
llth tells this story:
Much is said to those whose prospects are
under a cloud, or who have met with dis
appointments 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 attractive. An amusing
illustration of the advantage and necessity
of looking Mt 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
keeniy alive to every report orrumor affect
ing the mercantile credit, while the losses
of some firms by shrinkage Of values and
the misfortunes of customers, have caused
them to look after all available means pretty
sharply A firm Of this class, which had
been prospecting as to how to make every
dollar possible, the other day had an inter-
view with responsible customer OF long
standing with regard to the latter's dis
counting his own paper, which they held
to quite large amount. The transaction was
nearly concluded, but left quiet for day or
to press too hard in Il quarter where they
expected to realize so fayorably; then one
ofthe partners found to his CONSERVATION, on
going to the merchants 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
lust arrived by the mail from the West were
passed in, among which one bearing the
absent merchants well-known chirography
was detected.
"Ah!" exclaimed one ofthc trio, here's
something from old Bulge, but what the
deuce is he doing at Erie" added he, CLAM
cling ut the post-mark OF the epi>tlc " let
me see."
The letter was opened. and the partner,
holding it, proceeded to read as follows:
"ERIE. Pa, Jan. -, 1871.
"Mcssrs. Shorters, PIKE, EuSt d Co.:
"Gentlcmcn 1t was unfortunate that
did not sec you before leaving town in re-
spect to the proposition made to take up
the paper. l was compelled by pressing
circumstances to leave. You may think it
singular to hear from me here, hut things
were going wrong 1T Chicago. You your
self must know the worst by this time /
have failed
Busted, by all the gods! :" calculated
Pike, dashing the letter down upon the
floor. "The games up, gentlemen; our
goose is cooked"
"Failcd. is t." said the Co. "That' a
the very word" roarcd Pike; "tailcd, and
lust hundred and five thousand dollars
gone to pot because you were so cursed
slow about the matter"
.'Slow: what dive mean by that!' shout
ed the other. If was rs fast as some
men in this firm it would have gone to the
wall months ago
"Wcli, well, gentlemen" said old Short
cr>, 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.
You won't get ten cents on the dollar.
always knew old Bulge would 90 under
some day (Rust was one of those men who
always told You So when anything hap
pcncU; Bulge has got away Off in Pennsyl-
vania to get rid of his creditors; you'll
whistle for your money. But one thing is
ccrtain-siNty thousand more has got to
come into this party before Thursday noon,
or therc'll be another failure"
The 60" evidently thought seriously
of the whiStling" effort, for he followed
his partners assertion with IL long drawn,
expressive whcw-w. "Send up TO Brisk
cts office, and get out an attachment.
Come: let's 20 in first among the mourn
ers, at all events" said Pike, lcaping to his
feet and seizing his nat.
wait bit," said old Shorters, adjust.
ing his eyeglasses, .lct's look ut the letter
again? Why" said he, taking it up from
the floor, "you haven't read it all-herc's
writing on t'other side"
SIS there!" said Pike, with il gasp.
"Wcll, what does he ollcr-twenty cents :"
"You shall hear" said the senior part
ner, and proceeded to read the letter, as
Pike had done, till he came to the follow.
ing: "Iou, yourselves, must know the
West y" that's west, Pike, not worst"
The deuce it is; we'll, 20 on"
81 have failed"
IIa, ha," said Pike, "no 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
will cash the Whole amount of the paper al
the figures proposed. | send by this mai
drafts to my cashier, with Instructions tC
do the needtul.
Yours respectfully, I. Bulge"
"Ilurrah," shouted the "Co.," exc.
cutting a pirouette, ''that comes OF being
slow-slow's the word, my boy"
"That's u piece of luck, if it did cost
twelve per cent?" said Rust. Bulge I'm.
derstands a thing or two, always told YOU
so; he is sure to cash up if he can make q
good shave"
Bulge did cash up he made good shave
Shorters, Pike, Rust d Co. were III funds
and Pike ever since always looks on both
sides OF letter sheets, as we'll rs questions
before coming to Il conclusion.
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