Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-10-16
THE HOUSEHOLD.
What Was in the Paper 7
A STORY OF THE PANIC OF rs.

which had 30 alarmed them the day before
Not only was the dull, persistent, noisless rain
falling in way to have dampened mems spirits
at the best Of times, but 1t was Friday and thai
day of the week has mournful traditions of itt
own for Wall street, as well As for that peculiar
class of beings whose consciences remind them
at times that il not yet hung they ought to be.
But Paul Berrian's thoughts were busy with
the spectre of the street for he knew only too
we'll how surely he would come that day to the
brokers' office wherein he earned his modest
salary, and now other men would recognize the
grizzly presence and how friends and foes
slike would utter Bankruptcy" and turn away
for fear they might themselves look the des-
troyer In the face.
A blue enough morning for Paul in spite of all
his brave little wife had said to cheer him up be-
fore he left her since he thought indeed that not
even Poverty himself, Bankruptcys grim twin
brother, would have power to chill his courage,
we're il not for Madeline ands their bright-eyed
boy. He tried not to think Of them as he sat
there in the CROW ded car, but their faces came
before him perpetually, and with them came also
an accusing consciousness OF the selfish rash
ness with which he had borne away his bride
from the home where the eoid wealth and un-
questionable credit of her father had stood be-
tween her and any possible approach Of want.
''Ah, mel" thought Paul, "the old gentleman
has held himself aloof rgidy enough up to this
time. Will he be at all likely to reent-now the
very thing he has predicted is coming upon us7
Will he be apt to do more for me-now that am
out of business and helplessly adrift-than he
did when seemed at least to have . fair chance
of padding my own canoe2 should reckon not
He isn't that kind of q man. He will know all
about it, too before night, just as everybody else
will declare II that isn't old Bullions himself"
And true enough, there sat Madeline's father,
the great and prosperous banker, only a few
seats ahead Of him, apparently absorbed in the
peiusal of his morning paper Paul took no note
Of the fact that the paper was upside down, and
bent his head gloomily forward. as II he could
take prophetic view of futurity through the
bottom of the car. He saw, as he looked along
the narrow passage between the seats, that the
bankers left arm hung for moment loosely and
listePsly down, swayiDg little with the oscilla-
tions ofthe car, and thus that the fingers of his
hand opened in limp nerveless sort of way, let.
ting fall a half crumpled scrap of paper upon the
floor.
''Did he mean to throw itawayp Some worth
less memorandum"
Paul did not stop to guess but, as the white
scrap drifted by him, he reached out and picked
II up.
Not with any mean curiosity, for Paul was the
soul Of honor in business affairs; but, neverthe-
less, he caught sight Of raggedly written column
of well known business names, with what SEEM
ed to be sum totals of cash amounts carried out
opposite each of them. while all the rest Of the
paper was covered closely with psnciled memoir
anda, figures, names. quotations of securities,
might we'll be jotting down at such time. or at
any other, but into the meaning whereof Paul
had no earthly notion of prying.
Then he saw his father-in-law's hand suddenly
grip hard and open again, as il astonished to find
his clutch empty Of what 1t sought, and he knew
that the paper had been dropped unntentionally
or course, therefore, when the banker arose has
tily to peer about him on the seat and along the
fooor, Paul could do,no less than arise also, with
all poteness, and make an immediate tender of
his crumpled prize.
The old gentlemen grasped for his memora-
dunn with an eagerness quite foreign to his
usual stately manner, while the Hush .on his
withered face betokeDsd anything but pleasure
at the idea of accepting courtesy from his
daughters pauper husband. His acknowledge
ments were every bit as crusty as Paul could
have anticipated, and he resumed his seat, ap-
parently only to bury himself in yet profoun-
der study OF the news and OF his recovered
manuscript.
"Hard as ever" thought Paul. swell, if mat
ters come to the worst, I'll never 90 near him
I'll take Greeleys advice and go West. before
I'll ask him for one cent Of help.
Brayo for Paul's pluck But when, few min
utes later, the partner of his car-seat arose and
went on into another car, the young man was as.
tonished by the vision of Madelnes father COM
ing to take bis place. He could hardly believe
his eyes. but there was no need OF that, since
the bankers hand was now upon his arm. The
flush was again upon his face and his hard, keen
old features seemed trying to shape themselves
into an expression of friendly and confidential
interest.
Paul thought OF Madeline and their boy. and
OF the spectre on the street.
He doesn't know our house is bankrupt
yet" he almost said aloud, "but he will before
night. He won't want anything more Of me
then"
The old banker asked several questions about
his daughter, his grandson, the news and other
matters, before he or Paul became fairly accus-
toned to the situation, and thus he broke out
H..
trust your honor. I'll say that for you, anyhow,
but isn't there something l can do for you ?
Within the bounds OF reason now but what
shall it be7 These are awful times for us all,
my boy"
Paul Berrian knew he was not dreaming for
at that moment the train drew up with bigger
bump than usual at the Jersey ferry stopping
place; but II it had not been for that he would
have tried to turn over in bed and see IL the baby
we're all right. Still. as he caught up his over
coat and umbrella, he managed to find words
for the first idea that came to his confused brain.
II don't know, just at this moment, unless
you will buy me thousand shares Of Harlem at
these panic prices, and hold 1t for the rise that
is dead certain to come"
Tip topl A right down good business oper-
Ationl !" jerked out the old gentleman. "Ill do
1t for you, first thing, when get on the street.
Come around in an hour or 30 and see me about
it."
mo margins, you know" replied his half-dazed
son-n-law, as they hurried toward the ferry.
'Of course not; but NUNS the word, under
stAnd2" said the banker and in another moment
a half-dozen of his brother financiers had seized
upon him, and Paul Berrian was left to his own
devices.
Deeper and damper settled the rainy gloom Of
the panic Friday. and the faces Paul met on ar.
irving at the Office of his employers were all in
keeping with the weather, while crowds OF
gloomy men hurried to and fro through the
muddy streets, hunted hither and thither by the
omnipresent spectre of bankruptcy. Paul had
duties to attend to, plenty Of them, and it was a
good while before he could manage to get away
for even the moment of time required for run
to his father-in-law's spacious and elegant estab-
lishment Near as it was, however, it was the
first time he had crossed that threshold for many
a long day. A feeling of doubt and hesitation
came over him. even now, but he thought Of
Madeline and his boy, and pushed bravely on
into the bankers private door.
The old gentleman was seated in close confer
ence with his partners, and he looked up for a
moment with weary, worn troubled look on his
lace, that changed into a flush and . eickly
smile as he recognized Paul.
rs that you, my boy" he said. 'Its all
right. Can't stop to talk to you now, but got
It at ninety. Just the very bottom Of the mar
ket. Its above that now. You're lucky dog,
after all.
And as the banker turned to his partner again,
raul Berrian turned towards the door, but a
sudden impulse moved him TO say with his
hands on the knob.
We'll, under the circumstances, you know
mink I'd rather not hold on. Suppose you sell
on ont for me. the frat thing tomorrow morning,