The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-08-06

amount" said Mr.. King, elf you are
sure of returning it within the time
named. 1 think you have an opportu-
nifty of making a handsome speculation
in this matter; but 1 would like to
have the money again by the twentieth,
as have q heavy bill to meet on the
twenty-second.
Mr.. Applegate assured him there
would be no difficulty in the matter.
and added that it was probable that he
might be able to pay the money before
the expiration of the ten days.
Thus the matter was settled. Mr..
Applegate received the amount he
needed, made his purchase and con-
graduated himself upon the extraordi-
nary good luck that had befallen him.
When he told his wife of it, she urged
| him to at once set about collecting the
money to repay the loan.
"Oh, 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 expert
enced."
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 nineteeth of the month came at
last, and as Mr.. Applegate was sitting
in his Office in the morning friend
came in and asked him to go that after
noon a few miles into the country on q
fishing expedition. They would re-
turn after nightfall. Being very fond
of the sport, Mr.. Applegate at once
consented. As he left his Office 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 we'll
to send Mr.. King the cheque for it that
day but as he was 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.. Apple
gate 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 as he made this de-
cision, for he remembered that he had
promised to repay the borrowed money
the next day. He quieted the inward
monitor, however, with the thought that
Mr.. King would not be Inconvenience
if he did not pay the money until the
twenty-frst of the month. That gen.
tleman's bill did not fall due until the
twenty. second, and the amount he owed
him was already in the bank to be
drawn out.
He felt so little satisfied with him
self, 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 before banking hours were
over, and fulfill his promise. He did
take the train but, soon after leaving
the station, the locomotive broke down,
and they did not reach New York until
nearly dark.
The next morning he hastened to
Mr.. King with the check for the bor-
rowed money. Mr.. King received him
very coldly.
81 have come to repay the money 7
borrowed from you," he said to his
friend. GAS your bill is not due until
tomorrow, L hope the delay will not
cause you any trouble"
AS he spoke, he laid the check on
the merchants desk.
"No," said Mr.. King cit will not
inconvenience me in the least but l
am inclined to believe that it will do
you harm"
"Why ?" said Mr.. Applegate in
surprise.
"Because, replied his friend, "I have
determined never to lend to you again.
1 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. Believe me,
Mr.. Applegate, you will end in ruin if
you continue on in this bad habit of
yours"
Mr.. Applegate left the counting
house in silence, heartily ashamed of
himself. He felt that he was justly re-
buked, 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 happend, and
promised 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 q hard struggle, he succeeded
finally in conquering his bad habit,
and in after years was known as one
of the most trusty and punctual mer-
chants in New York. The result was
that Mr.. Applegate died rich man.