The Van Buren press., 1873-01-07
THE WILD" INVESTMENT I;
The Two Merchants.

gentleman, who was poring over Pile
Of ledger, in the counting room Of one
Of the largest establishments in Boston.
! Ths pers.n addressed turned toward the
speaker, and regarded him for a moment
with surprise, and inquired
"What security eau you give me
Nothing but my note.
(which fear would DO below par in
the market, +" replied the merchant smiI
ing
Perhaps SO, - the youag man replied,
but. Mr.. Barton, remember that the boy
is not the man; the time may come when
Hiram Strosser's nste may be as readily
accepted ~ that Of any other man.
True, very true, said Barton mild
", but business mss seldom loan mon-
ey without adequate security; otherwise
they might soon be reduced to psnury q"
At this remark. the young mans eoun-
tsnancs became deadly palo, and having
observed a silence ofssvsral minutes, be
inquired in voice whose tones indicated
keen disappointment:
Then you caunot accommedats
ms2"
"Call upon me to morrow, and | will
give you reply, said Mr. Barton. and
the youag man retired.
MIR Barton resumed his labors at the
desk, but Lis miad was 80 much upon the
boy, and his singular errand. that he
could not pursue mis- task with any cor.
roetnsss-and after having made several
sad blundsrs. he closed his ledger took
his hat, and went out upon tue street Ar
riving opposite the DOR OF wsAlshy
merchant, in Milk street, he entered the
door.
Good morning, Mr.. Hawley," said
he, approaching tia proprietor of the Is
tablish,nsnt, who WAS seated at his desk,
counting over the profits of the week.
Good no Aing. rspiod the mer
ohant blandly -" happy TO sssyou; have
seat ANY nsws? How's traocr'
without noticing these intcrrogatiens
Barton said:
"Young Strosser is drsirous Of sstab
fishing himself in . small retail business
IN Washington street, sad eallsl this
moraing e. secure of me the loan OF two
thousand dollars Tor that purpose
Indeed. exclaimed Hawley, evident.
surprised ut this announcement; "but
you do not think Of losniug that aum,
do y~u2"
II do not know" replied Barton,
S,rosssr 10 Q young man OF business
talent and strict integrity, and will he
likely to succeed in whatever he under
takes
"Perhsps 80. replied Hawlsy. doubt
fully. "but am heartily tired VI helping
to establish those young aspirants fer
commercial honsrs
Have you ever suffered any from
such course ?" inqairsd Barton. at the
sam. time casting a roguish glance at
Ha~lsy
No, " replied TTawl.y "for never
felt inclined to make an investment of
that kind. +"
"Taen there 10 = fnc opportunity to
do 30. 1t may prove better thaa the
stock in bsnk A for myself, | have
concluded that II you will advance one
Thousand dollars, will contribute an
equal sum
mot a single farthing would l ad
vance for such . purpose; and II You
make an Investment Of that kind, / shall
consider you very foolish v
well. said Mr. Barton. "if you do
not feel disposed 10 share with me in the
enterprise. | shsll advance the whole my
self" Saying which, he left the store
Tea years have passed away since the
occurrence Of the conversation recorded
in the preceding dialogue, and Mr. Bar
ter, pals and agitatod, is standing At the
same desk rs when Grst introduced 10 The
readers attention. As page after page
Of his pondsrons ledger was sxsmissd.
his despair became deeper, I'LL ut last he
exclaimed:
81 am ruincd--utterly ruined J"
"How 30 p inquired Hiram Strosser,
who entered the coua,ing room just in
time to hear BartOn'a remark.
"Thc last European steamer brought
news OF ths failure of the house of Pc
rich JACKSON Il Co, who are indebted to
me the sua, Of nearly two hundred ,heus
and dollars. News ofthe failure has be
come general, aud my creditors, panic
stricken, are pressing in my pspsr to be
cash~d. The bsHksrs refuse me credit,
and have not the means to meet nv liza
bilitis.. III could pass this crisis, per
hsps | could rally again. but it is lmpos-
sible, nv creditors are impor,unats. and
| cannot mach longer keep above tide,
replied Barton.
Whist 10 the exteat Of your liabili-
! ties p
Ssvcntv.hvs thousand dollars. "
Would that sum suillce to relieve
youi"
at would. "
Then sir. ven shall have H." said
S'ross,r. As he stepped up to the desk
and drew q check for scvsnty.tive thous-
and dollars. Here, take this. and when
YOU need more, do not hesitate TO call
npos me. Remember that it ~n from
v.u I received money 10 establish my.
sells in business.
"But the debt has hccn cancelled sew.
oral Years ago" replied Barton, asa ray
of hope shot ross his troubled mind.
True. rcll ed Strosser, 81 but the
deb, Of gratitude | owe has never been
cancelled, and now the scale is turned, /
deem it my duty to come up to the res
cue
At this singular turn in ths tide OF for
tune Barton fairly wept Tor joy.
ti;. r.,ar 100 tak,u nm "a fast ns IL