The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-05-13

"A L Is. 1914.
looked at the house again How
} comes this? I asked; you must be
getting better in the world so !
am was the reply. Has anybody
left you little fortune p l inquired.
No but you have helped me to one,
said he. Il don't understand you Mr..
Davis l made answer. Edward
rents the house for us, said the old
man. do you understand me now ?"
81 understood him perfectly. 1t
was then received the largest divi-
dend on my investment which has
yet come into my hands. If they 60
on increasing at this rate, / shall soon
be rich"
Rather substantial kind of riches, "
was remarked by his friend.
"That which elevates and delights
the mind can hardly be called sub.
stantial," replied Mr.. Winslow.
Gold will not always do this"
The friend sighed in:olvutarily.
The remarks of Mr.. Winslow caused
thoughts to fit over his mind that
were far from being agreeable.
A year or two more went by, and
then an addition was made to the
firm of Webb & Waldron. Edward
Davis received the offer of an interest
in the business, which he unhesita-
tingly accepted. From that day he
was Cd the road to fortune Three
years afterward, one of the partners
died. when his interest was increased.
Twenty-Five years from the time
MIR. W'nslow, acting from benevo-
lent purpose, proposed to send young
Davis to school, have passed.
One day about this period, Mr..
Winslow, who had met with a num-
Der of reverses in business was sit
ting in his counting-room, with
troubled look on his face, when the
mercantile friend before mentioned
came in. His countenance was pale
and disturbed.
1--WE are ruined ruined." said he,
with much agitation.
Mr.. Winslow started to his feet.
Speak, he exclaimed. What
new disaster is about to sweep over
me?"
"The house of Toledo & Co. has
suspended payment"
Mr.. Winslow struck his hands
together, and sank down into the
chair from which he had risen.
"Then it is all overt he murmured;
"all over,"
Itis all over with me-" said the
other. "a longer struggle would be
fruitless. But for this l might have
weathered the storm. So closes q
business life of nearly forty years to
end monumental dishonor and per-
sonal ruin."
"Are you certain that they have
failed?" asked Mr.. Winslow, with
something like hope in bis tone of
voice.
at is too true" was answered.
"The Celest arrived this morning,
and her letter-bag was delivered at
the pest-office half an hour ago.
Have you received nothing by
herr"
Il was aware Of her arrival; but
| willsend Immediately for my letters.
Too true was the information cam
municated by the friend. The large
commission house ofToledo 4 Co. had
failed, and protested drafts had been
returned to very heavy amount |
Mr. Winslow was amongthe sufferers
and to an extent that was almost
equivalent to ruin.
For nearly five years every thing |
seemed to go against Mr.. Winslow.
At the beginning OF that period a
son, whom he had set up in business
failed, involving him in a heavy loss.
Then one disaster after another fol-
lowed until be found himself in i'm
mlneub DANGER OF lallurc
From this time he turned bis mind |
to the consideration Of his affairs with |
more earnestness than ever, and |
made every transaction with degree
of prudence and foresight that seem
ed to guaratee success in whatever
he attempted. A d fcient supply |
of -four caused him to venture a |
large shipment. The sale was at
profit, but the failure
of his cOnsignees, before the payment |
Of his drafts for the proceeds, entire
prostrated him. So hopeless did the
merchant consider his case, that he
did not even make au effort to get
aid in his extremity.
When the friend of Mr.. Winslow
crme with the information that the
house of Toledo & Co. had failed,
the latter was searching about in his
mind for the means of obtaining mon
ey to meet his acceptance, which fell
due on that day. He had partly
fixed upon the resources from which
this money was to come, when the
news Of his i'll fortune arrived.
Yes it was ruin. Mr.. Winslow
saw that in a moment, and his hands
fell powerless by his side. He made
no further effort to raise the money;
but, after his mind had recovered q
little from its first shock, he left his
and retired to his home
to seek in its quiet the calmness and
fortitude Of which he stood so
greatly in need. In this home were
his wife ard two daughters, who all
their lives had enjoyed the many ex-
ternal comforts and elegancies that
wealth can procure. The heart of
the father ached as his eyes rested
on his children, and he thought of
the sad reverses that awaited them.
On entering his dwelling, Mr.,
sough. the partner ofhis life
and communicated to her without re-
serve, the painful intelligence of his
approaching failure.
as it indeed so horeless?" she
asked, tears filling her eyes.
81 am utterly prostrate!" was the
reply, ina voice that was full of
anguish. And, in the bitterness Of
the moment, the unfortunate mer-