Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-11-28

idence in Mr.. Atherton, and at once
to "put him through" as
le expressed it. He was himself a
arge creditor, and had already partly
agreed to extend his own notes, as well
IS to make liberal loans. But he had
an6, to Mr.. Athetton, uu-
changed his mind. The
promised arrangement could not be
made.
Fully confiding in Adams, Mr..
Atherton had sought aid in no other
quarter. No wonder that he was agi
lated when it is known that he had
nothing in bank, while notices for the
of over five thousand dollars
in drafts and bills, due that day, were
lying in his desk. 1t took nearly an
hour for the almost paralysed mind of
Mr.. Atherton to come back to its usual
state of vigor and activity. At first,
all became dark and hopeless; for he
had no borrowing facilities, having in
the conduct of his business always
preferred keeping it within his own
control.
But his extremity was great, and it
would not do to fold his hands in in
activity and let swift destruction fall
upon him. So, after good deal of
earnest thought, he went to work with
some spirit, and before one o'clock was
in possession of the required amount of
money. In obtaining it, however, he
had been compelled to make some
heavy sacrifices. But this was over
coming only the first difficulty in way
crowded with impediments and, with
each succeeding day, be found himself
more and more embarrassed and Grip
pied.
X
About a week subsequent to the
party which we have described, young
man named Bonnel, who had only a
short time before commenced business,
came into the store of Mr.. Adams, and,
with much concern IN his face, said
"Have you heard about Mr.. Ather-
ton ?"
Nothing very particular. What's
the matter ?"
"Tm told that his paper was laid
over to-day"
"Ah I'm sorry" replied Mr.. Adams,
evincing much regret. "Butit is what
1 expected"
cit is? I never dreamed of such a
thing. thought him one of ou1
soundest men,"
$50 he has been. But he's met with
heavy losses of late.
81 wish I had known that" said
Bonnel, looking very grave.
"Whyi Does he owe you ?"
eyes. I sold him pretty heavy
bill week before last"
"I'm sorry for that"
"Do you think it will be a bac
failure ?"
"I cannot tell. I have always ha6
great confidence in him but that has
become slightly impaired. I knew he
was in difficulties, and was about help
ing him through them, when circum
stance occurred that made me decline
doing SO. l felt that there would bt
too much risk. The fact is, his famil,
are too gay and extravagant."
"I never heard that charged upoi
Them" said Bonnel; "and I know
them intimately"
"It's no good sign" replied Adams
"for a merchant, who is crippled il
his business through heavy losses, t.
indulge in large and costly parties"
Atherton has not done so."
"Beg your pardon. I happen t.
know that large party was given a
his house not over week since. wa
about affording him all the assistanc
he needed but, when I saw that,
felt bound, in justice to myself, to de
cline an arrangement that might in
volve me in loss"
"And was that your only reason fo
refusing aid ?" said Bonnel, in surprise
"It caused train of reflections 1
my mind that led naturally to the dc
cision formed"
"You were unjust to him, MI
Adams" said Bonnel, firmly.
"Show me my error, was calmly re
piled.
"Mr. Atherton did not give tha
party"
I" 1t was at his house."
4" No matter. He had no more to d
with getting it up than you had. 1t wa
a surprise party"
"And, pray, what is that?"
" Did you never hear of surpris
party ?"
"Never."
l "Indeed! They're quite the RAG
this winter. The particular friends c
some family arrange to give them, G
rather, compel them to give part.
They fix upon the night-the famil
being kept in ignorance of the fact
) and go, with their own music and r
!, freshments, and take them by surpris
, The greater the astonishment and CO..
4 fusion of the family, the greater IL
enjoyment of those who go. l planne
: the party at Atherton's ; and, ct
= assure you, it was q most delight
affair"
: cit may have been fun for you
u but, like the frogs in the fable, it W
Il death to them," said Mr.. Adams, sci
ously.
"How so" asked Bonnel.
= "You placed them in false pos
9 tion, and forced upon them the disa
/ / vantage of wrong Judgment. On tn
y very day, had made up my mind
u put Mr.. Atherton through. He hi
= fully confded to me his difficultie
I, and I had resolved to help him ov
! them. But, in passing the house
q u night, I was surprised to find him q
r ing large party. For man in |
< position to indulge in party-gi
> ing, was not the thing, in my estim
i, ton. 1t didn't look well. Somethi
a d is wrong there, said I to myself. A
VI III my final conclusion, upon which I acte
10 was to risk nothing with him."
= "Can this be possible ?" exclaim
ID Bonnel, exhibiting much distress,
"It is true, as I tell you"
u Get JiJ not draopn of cuoh q onn,