Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-10-27
a Good Investment.

When ctug ht him 10 Pike with hs O;ne- vile
There was iunkln' then, you bet.
a Good Investment.
" Can you loan me two thousand dollars to
establish myself in a small retail business y' in
quired young maa not yet out Of his teens, Of
middle-aged gentleman, who WAS porting over
pile Of ledgers in the c0unting-r00m Of ono OF
the largest establishments in Boston. The per-
son addressed turned toward the speaker, and
regarding him moment with 8 LOOK Of surprise,
inquired
- What security can you give ne, Mr. stroe-
ser -
" Nothing but my note replied the young
man promptly
.. Which, l fear. would be below par in mar
ket," replied the merchant smiling.
" Perhaps SO, said the young msn, " but,
Mr. Barton, remember the boy is not the man
the time may come when Hiram Srosser's note
will be as readily accepted as that Of any other
man"
True, very true replied Mr. Barton mild
ly, " but you know that business men seldom
loan money without adequate securty-other-
wise they might be reduced to penury.'
Al this remsrk the young mans countenaace
became desthly pale, and having observed a 81
leuce Of several moments. be inquired in a voice
whose tones indicated his deep disappointment
Then you cannot accommodate me, can
your p
"Csl upon me tomorrow, and | will give
you reply said Mr.. Barton, and the young
msn retired.
Mr.. Barton resumed his lahors at the desk,
his mind Was 80 much upon the boy and his
singular errsnd, that he could not pursue his
tack with any correctness and after having
made several sad buniers, he closed the ledger
and took his hat, and went cut upon the street.
Arriving opposite the store of a wealthy mer-
chant on Mix street, he entered the door.
- Good morning. Mr.. Hawley," said he, ar-
preaching the proprietor Of the establishment,
who was seated al biz desk, counting over the
profits of the week
Good morning replied the merchant,
Handy - hsppy to see you, hsye seat ANY
pewsl HoW's trader
Without noticing these interrogations Mr.
Barton said
" Young Strosser is DESTROYS Of establishing
himself in a small retail business in Washington
street. and called this morning to secure of me
loan of two thousand dollars for that purpose -
- Indeed - exclaimed Mr. Hawley. evidently
turprited at this announcement - hut you
don't think of losning that sum, DO you p
- do not know" replied Mr.. Barton
i" MIR. Strosser lie young man Of business tai 1
succeed in whstever be undertakes
q" Perhaps So" replied Mr. Hawley, doubt |
fully ; " but l am heartily tired of helping to
re-establsh these young sspirsnts for CONNER |
cisl honors."
" Have you ever suffered any from such |
course - inquired Mr.. Barton, At the same
time casting roguish glance at Mr.. Hawley.
" No." replied the latter, - for l never felt
inclined to make investments Of that kind -
" Then here is fine opportunity to do so
1t may prove better than the stock in the bank
As for myself, have concluded that if you will
advance him one thousand dollars will contrib
ute an equal sum-
" Not single farthing would advance for
such purpose, and ii you make an investment
Of that kind, shall consider you very foolish
Mr.. Barton observed silence of several min
utes, and then rose to depart
a. If you do not feel disposed to share with
me in this enterprise, shall advance the whole
sum myself
Saying which, he left the store.
Ten years have passed away since the occur
renee Of the conversation recorded in the precei-
ing dialogue. and Mr.. Barton, pale and agitatei,
is standing at the same iesk as when first intro
duced to the readers attention. AS page after
page Of the ponderous ledger was examined, his
despair became deeper and deeper, until be ex-
claimed
d" | am ruined-utterly ruined -
" How so?'' inquired Hiram Stroster, who
entered the counting-room in season to hear Mr.
Barton's remark
% The last European steamer brought news Of
ne failure Of the house Of Perletb, jackson & 4
o., London, who indebted TO me in the :
um Of nearly two hundred thousand dollars
Jews OF the failure has become general, and my
redltors, psnlc-stricken, are pressing in ny |
spers to be cashed The banks refuse me cred
+, and | have not the means to meet nv lisbili-
es. If could pass this crisis, perhaps could
ally sgsin, but 1t is impossible, my creditors
e lmportunste, and | can not much longer
eep above the tide" replied Mr. Barton
" What is the extent of your liabilities ?" IN
uired Mr. Strosser
" Seventy-dve thousand dollars replied Mr..
arton. :,
" Would that sum be sufficient to relieve d
,u7''
- 1t would
a. Then, sir. you shall have it, said Strouer,
he stepped up to the detk, and drew check
: twenty thousand dollars. Here. take this. A.
d when you need more DO not hesitate to call
on me Remember that it Was from you that
eoeived money to establish myself in bust :,
Is" ID
- But that debt was cancelled several years Il
D." replied Mr.. Barton, ray Of hope shot mu
'Oss his troubled mind dis
j. True" replied Strosser, " but the debt Of the
ifitude that | owe hiss never been cancelled.
now that the scale has turned, deem it ny A
y to come up 10 the rescue"
II this singular turn ia the tide of fortune -
Barton fairly wept for joy. Ii
lis paper taken up az fast as it was sent bus
A -, ~. u.
is. and stood perfectly safe and secure his
lit increased and bis business improved. A
lie several other firms sunk under the blow.
could not rally, among whom was Mr. Haw-
alluded to At the commencement Of this ar Il
How did you msnage to keep above the IA
," inquired Mr.. Hswley Of Mr. Barton. ~
morning, several months sfIer the events re-
ed, as be met the lStter upon the street, on SS
way 10 his place Of business
Very easily, indeed, | can assure you, re- II
Mr.. Barton was
Well, do tell me how" continued Mr. Hsw- PREF
- lsy claim to good deal Of shreWdness, Ken
the strongest exercise Of my wits did not whe
NE and yet you, whose Liabilities were obta
e as heavy as my own, hsve stood the shock / edlc
have come of even better by the Storm Of I
The truth is,' replied MIR Barton, al eashed j
paper as soon as it was sent in tute
| suppose 80, said Mr.. Hawley, regarding tive
d. with look of surprise, 4" but how did larg
obtain the funds? As for my part l could disc
btain dollar Of credit, the banks refused 10 and
my paper, and my friends even deserted prof
out
little investment made some ten Years a
- replied Mr.. Barton, smiling, has recent peei
owed exceedingly profitable Gla'
Investment 80 echoed Mr. Hswley, what D Use
'tment!'' line
Why, do you not remember how | established IL
q Strosser in business come years ago 20 81.
., yes, yes" replied Mr.. HsWley, as ray 80
ispicion lit up his countensnce, " but what n
lstl' =.
He is nov one o. the highest dry goods deal be 5
n the city, and when this calamity came on,
ame forward and very generously advanced
twenty-five thousand dollars You know An.
you on the morning | called to offer you an
u share Of the stock, that it might prove bet
han an investment in the bank So
uring this announcement, Mr.. Hswlev's ewes All
bent intently upon the ground, and. draw Chen
: deep sigh, he moved on, detected and sad. This
e Mr. Barton returned to his place Of bust I'M
/, with bis mind cheered and animated nv -.
lghts OF his singular investment.