Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-11

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Looking ON Both sides--A Lively
ComnnercinI Yarn.
The Boston Commercial Bulletin of
the l4th tells this story:
Much is said to those whose prospects
are under o cloud, or who have met with
disappointments 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 advan-
tage 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 open
ing Of the year have made all business
men keenly alive to every report OF
rumor affecting the mercantile credit
while the losses of some firms by shrink
age Of values and the misfortunes ofcus.
toners, have caused them to look after
all available means pretty sharply. A
firm of this class, which had been pros
pecting as to how to make every dollar
possible, the other day had an interview
with a responsible customer of long
standing with regard to the latter's dis
counting his own paper, which they held
to quite large amount. The trans
action was nearly concluded, but left
quiet for day or two by the firm in
question-not wishing to press too hard
in quarter where they expected to real
ize so favorably; then one of the part
ners 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
just arrived by the mail from the West
were passed in, among which one bear
ing the absent merchants well-known
chirography was detected.
"AhW exclaimed one of the trio,
here's something from old Bulge; but
what the deuce is he doing at Erie2 ,"
added he, glancing at the post-mark Of
the epistle; " let me see, =
The letter was opened, and the part
ner, holding it, proceeded to read as fol-
lows:
ERIE. PENN, January :, 1871.
Messrs. Shorters, Pike, Rust & Co.:
" GENTLEMEN-It was unfortunate that
/ did not see you before leaving town in
respect to the proposition made to take
up the paper. | was compelled by press
ing circumstances to leave. You may
think it singular to hear from me here,
but things were going wrong at Chicago.
You yourselves must know the worst by
this time; / have failed"
" Busted, by all the godsl" calculated
Pike, dashing the letter down upon the
floor. "The games up, gentlemen; our
goose is cooked" "
Failed, is it2' said the Co. "Thats
the very word, roared Pike; failed,
and just hundred and FIVE thousand
dollars gone to pot because you were so
cursed slow about the matter
" Slow; what dye mean by that?''
shouted the other. I" If was as fast as
some men in this firm it would have
gone to the wall months ago"
Well, well, gentlemen" said old
Shorters, don't quarrel; let us see what
can be done about it. "
Done" said Rust, putting in his oar,
You won't get ten cents on the dollar. |
always knew old Bulge would go under
some day (Rust was one of those men
who always told you so when anything
happened); Bulge has got away off in
Pennsylvania to get rid of his creditors;
you'll whistle for your money. But one
thing is certain-sixty thousand more
has got to come into this party before
Thursday noon, or therell be another
failure"
The Co evidently thought seriously
of the whistling effort, for he fol-
lowed his partners assertion with long
drawn, expressive whew-w. Send up
to Briskets office, and get out an at
tachment. Come; let's go in first among
the mourners, at all events" said Pike,
leaping to his feet and seizing his hat.
"Wait a Bit said old Shorters, ad-
justing his eyeglasses, let's look at the
letter again2 Why" said he, taking it
up from the floor, you haven't read it
ail-here's writing on t'other side"
"Is there?" said Pike, with gasp.
"Well, what does he offer-twenty
cents2"
"You shall hear" said the senior
partner, and proceeded to read the letter,
as Pike had done, till he came to the
following: You, yourselves, must know
the West -" that's west, Pike, not
worst"
"The deuce it is; well, go on.
81 have failed"
"Ha, 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 inn
prove the opportunity to drop you this
line, saying | will cash the whole amount
of the paper at the figures proposed. |
send by this mail drafts to my cashier,
with instructions to do the needful
Yours respectfully,
a. BULGE"
Hurrahl" shouted the Go" exc
cutting pirouette, that comes of being
the word, my boy"
That's piece of luck, if it did cost
twelve per cent, said Rust Bulge
understands a thing or two, as / always
told you; he is sure to cash up if he can
make good shave
Bulge did cash up; he made a good
shave Shorters, Pike, Rust q Co. were
in funds, and Pike ever since always
looks on both sides of letter sheets, as
well as questions, before coming to a
conclusion.