The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-09-25
to pay the money before the expiration of

to pay the money before the expiration Of
tue ten days.
Thus the matter was settled. Mr.. Apple
gate received the amount he needed, made
his purchase and congratulated himself on
the extraordinary good luck that had befal-
len him. When he told his wife of it, she
urged him to at once set about collecting
the money to repay the loun.
80 there is time enough for that, Jennie"
he said good-humoredly, 81 have only to
lay my hand ON the money. There is no
difficulty to be experienced"
This did not satisfy his wife, who gave
him no rest until he had deposited the
sum in the bank, ready to be paid out on
the appointed day.
The nineteenth of the month came at
last. and as Mr.. Apologize was sitting in
his office in the morninga friend came in
and asked him to 60 that afternoon few
miles into the country on a fishing expedi-
ton. They would return after nightfall.
Being very fond of the sport, Mr. Apple
gate at once consented. AS he left his of
flee for the excursion, he thought of the
money he had to pay the next day, and his
better judgment told him it would be as
well to send Mr.. King the check for it
that day, but as he wss pressed for time, he
decided to put it off until the next day.
The fishing was unusually good, and a
pleasant day was spent. Mr.. Apologize
and his friend were so we'll pleased that
they determined to spend the night there,
and try the sport again the next morning.
Mr.. Applegate's conscience reproached him
when he made this decision, for he remem-
bered that he had promised to repay the
borrowed money the next day. He quoted
the inward monitor, however, with the
thought that Mr.. King would not be in
convcnienced if he did not pay the money
until the twenty first of the month. That
gentlemans bill did not fail due until the
twenty.second, and the amount he owed
him already in the bank to be drawn out.
He felt so little satisfied with himself
however, that he determined the next day
to spend only few hours in fishing, and
to take the twelve o'clock train, which
would enable him to reach New York be-
fore banking hours were over and fulfill his
promise. He did take the train but soon
after leaving the station, the locomotive
broke down and did not reach New York
until nearly dark.
The next morning he hastened to Mr..
King with the check for the borrowed
money. Mr.. King received him very ooldly.
81 have come to repay the money bor-
rowed from you," he said to his friend
"As your bill is not due until tomorrow,
hope the delay will not cause you any
trouble"
AS he spoke, he laid the check on the
merchants desk.
mo-" said Mr.. King, ait will not incon-
venience me in the least but am inclined
to believe that it will do you HARM"
"Why?" said Mr.. Apologize in surprise.
Because" replied his friend, 81 have
determined never to lend you again. know
the cause of your delay in this matter, and
cannot afford to risk my money by putting
it in the hands of one who shows so little
regard for his commercial obligations. Be-
lieve me, Mr.. Apologize, you will end in
ruin if you continue on in this bad habit of
yours"
Mr.. Apologize left the counting house in
silence, heartily ashamed of himself. He
felt that he was justly rebuked, and he
deeply regretted having lost the good
| opinion of such man as Mr.. King.
When he went home that night, he told
his wife all that had happened, and prom
ised her to try and do better in the future.
The next morning he saw Mr.. King and
made him the same promise.
He kept his word and though it was u
hard struggle, he succeeded finally in con-
quering his bad habit, and in after years
was known as one of the most trusty and
punctual merchants in New York. The
result was that Mr.. Apologize died rich
| man.