The Placer herald., 1874-01-03

houe0.
"Read them," was the smiling answer.
With half curious manner, Mr.. Melville
opened broad parchment sheet. His eyes
glanced hurriedly over the contents; but his
face. instead Of Frightening, grew clouded.
docs it not explain itself. father?"
ono"
NE. Melville shook his bead to make his
emo" more emphatic.
81 have always looked forward to this
time with pleasure that words can hardly
express" said Harry, leaning towards bis
father, and speaking with sudden warmth Of
manner. "These papers are simply the
title-deeds Of house, which is yours.
Take them, or some small return for all tlat
l owe you. A sons debt can never be
wholly Cancelled"
Mr.. Melville was touched by this act,
and softened by the manner Of his son.
For almost minute he sat with his gaze
on the floor. Then, looking up, be said in
low voice that trembled with suppressed
feeling: ''My dear boy, it pains me to re-
fuse what, in the generous impulse Of your
heart, is now so freely offered. But this
house is not yours to give, and therefore,
honor and right compel me to decline its ac-
ceptanoe."
"Not mine to give? Father! what do
you mean p
"It belongs 10 your creditors, Harry"
"My creditors! Am l, then, only q
bankrupt in your eyes Father, this is too
much"
"You are scarcely two years in business,
my son; and now you propose to take from
that business two-thirds of your original
capital, and put it into house for me-"
"But we have made over fifty thousand
dollars, and are actually coming money in
our business"
"Profts on paper, at best" answered
the incorrigible old man. 'But my word
for it, if the footing is 80 large, there is a
mistake in the figures somewhere. The
thing regard as simply impossible. You
are dashing ahead at too desperate speed,
my son, as l have before declared; and just
as sure as any disastrous change in .he busi
ness world takes place, will you be hurled
to swift destruction"
In anger, Harry parted with bis father
on that day. On the next, his bank offer
ngs were all thrown out. He called, in
surprise, upon the cashier, to ask the reason.
There was a stringency in the market, an
unusual demand for money; depositors were
drawing out heavily. and the bank was re-
stricting its loans. This was the comfort
he received. He tried to borrow from ac-
commodating neighbors; but everybody had
been cut down or off at the bank, and so
everybody was "short." A pulse of fear
throbbed suddenly in the heart of Harry
Melville. He took down sundry bank
notices from a rack, and ascertained the
amount which must be paid before three
o'clock. The sum reached the uncomforta-
bic aggregate of fifteen thousand dollars,
while the bank balance was only three
thousand. So there were twelve thousand
to raise.
Young Melville considered himself great
as fnancier. His self confidence over
leaped all possibilities and impossibilities.
But the time of trial and proof had come
now. Credit and confidence are sensitive
things. When banks restrict, private
lenders take the alarm; and the price Of
money goes up to ruinous figures. So our
young merchant found it. Melvilles finan-
ciering operations ON that day were things
for after remembrance, He has, probably,
not forgotten them up to this time. At
three o'clock, bis notes were lifted, but at a
sacrifice fearful to contemplate. sn
After glance at bis bill-book for the next
day, Melville started for his luxurious home,
to meet his dainty, fashionable wife, in
state Of mind bordering on despair, for the
next days payments were over twelve
thousand dollars. He had seen and heard
enough during the days financial expert.
ments, to satisfy him that not one-hah Of
that sum could be raised; and so a vague
terror took the place Of conceted self-con-
fdence; and the frightened young merchant,
who bad come in and gone out with such an
elastic tread and proud bearing, entered bis
home with all his feathers dropping. .,.,
So quietly had he come in that bis wait
ing wife failed to hear the opening door and
familiar step in the passage. Wondering at
her husbands long stay beyond the usual
hour, she came down stairs, under the in
Auence of restless feeling. Entering the
parlor, she started in sudden surprise and
alarm, for there, reclining upon lounge,
was her handsome young husband, bis pale
face the image Of weak despair. "Oh.
Harry, you are i'll! she exclaimed, flying
across the room, and dropping down upon
the floor in front of the lounge.
'sI am in trouble" was his choking re-
ply. .,
'"Oh, what has happened. Harry" .
81 don't know" he answered. ] am be-
wildered Something has gone wrong in
business. Oh, Flory, have passed thro'
fearful day! and there is no strength left
in me-" Is $50 ,nn .sasuie3w)
What change from the bold. business
braggart of the day before! But Harry
Melville was mere dandy in trade. There
was NO muscle in the man, no reserve power,
no elastic property. He had grown as q
balloon grows, and, like balloon, collapsed
at the first sharp puncture. pom q
What could mere Summer blossom OF .