The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-26
ling. ! thought him one of our sound

80 he has been. But he's met with
heavy losses of late."
81 wish / had known that" said Bon
mel, looking very grave.
"Why? Does he owe you"
eyes. ! sold him pretty heavy bill
week before last"
"Pm sorry for that"
"Do you think it will be bad fail
ureT
'T can not tell. l have always had
great confidence in him; but that has
become slightly impaired. knew he
was i'm difficulties, and was about helping
him through them when circumstance
occurred that made me decline doing So
/ felt that there would be too much risk
The fact is, his family are too gay and
extravagant."
'T never heard that charged upon
them," said Bonnel; "and know them
Intimately"
"It's no good sign," replied Adams,
"for merchant, who is crippled in his
business through heavy losses, to indulge
in large and costly parties"
"Atherton has not done So"
"Beg your pardon. I happen to know
that large party was given at his house
not over week since. l was about af
fording him all the assistance he needed;
but, when / saw that, felt bound, in
justice to myself, to decline an arrange
ment that might involve me in loss"
"And was that your only reason for
refusing aid I" said Bonnel, in surprise.
"It caused a train of reflections in my
mind that led naturally to the decision
formed"
"You were unjust to him, Mr.. Adams"
said BOnnel, firmly.
"Show me my error" was calmly re-
piled.
"Mr. Atherton did not give that
party"
"It was at his house."
"No matter. He had no more TO do
with getting it up than you had. twas
a surprise party"
"And, pray, what is that?''
"Did you never hear of a surprise
party~
"Never."
"Indeed! They're quite the rage this
winter. The particular friends of some
family arrange to give them, or rather,
compel them to give a party. They fix
upon the night-the family being kept
in complete ignorance of the fact-and
60, with their own music and refresh
ments, and take them by surprise. The
greater the astonishment and confusion
of the family, the greater the enjoyment
of those who go. l planned the party at
Atherton's; and, i can assure you, it was
q most delightful affair.""
at may have been fun to you; but,
like the frogs in the fable, it was death
to them," said Mr. Adams seriously.
"How sog" asked Bonnel.
"You placed them in false position,
and forced upon them the disadvantages
of wrong judgment. On that very
day had made up my mind to put Mr..
Atherton through. He had fully con-
fded to me his difficulties, and l had re-
solved to help him over them. But, in
passing his house at night, was surprised
to find him giving large party. For a
man in his position to indulge in party
giving, was not the thing, in my estima-
ton. 1t didn't look well. Something
is wrong there said to myself. And
my final conclusion, upon which i acted,
was to risk nothing with him."
"Can this be possible 2" exclaimed Bon
mel, exhibiting much distress.
''It is true, as | tell you"
81 did not dream of such conse-
quence. 1t was but piece of innocent
sport on our part" said Bonnel.
ut was liberty" replied the mer-
chant, severely, "for which there is no
excuse on any ground. l can scarcely
conceive greater social outrage than
the one you have INDUCED in. Suppose
intelligence had been that day received
of the death of near relative; or some
family trouble was expressing the minds
of all how greatly would your untimcly
sport have increased the pain they were
suffering. Knowing, as l do, the state of
Mr.. Atherton's mind on that occasion, /
can well understand how rudely Jared
it must have been. But that is nothing
to the disastrous consequences which
have followed. Ruin has been the result.
An honest man has been stricken down
in the midst of his business career. 1t is
some satisfaction" added Adams, bitter
ly, "that you, who confess yourself the
author of this wrong, are involved in
some of the consequences. 1t may teach
you lesson that will be useful to you
hereafter"
As he said this, he turned partly away
from Bonnel, who, feeling offended. left
his store.
The struggle upon which Mr.. Athcrton
entered, proved too much for him.
Alone, he could not contend successfully
with his difficulties. After day OF
anxious effort, he found himself unable
to meet the notes and drafts which fell
due, and the hour of three came with
his obligations still in bank. Up to that
time he had been in state of deep dis
tress and agitation. But when three
strokes upon the clock sounded the kncll
of his broken fortunes, and further effort
was vain, a calmness fell upon his mind
and he awaited, with sort of stoicism
the appearance Of the notary, into who's,
hands his dishonored paper would bt
given for protest.
The notary came and went. That or
deal, a deeply trying one, was passed
His reputation as merchant was nov
blasted. The apple of his eye had beer
touched. But he had borne the pair
with heroism that surprised even him
self.
This trial past, visions of future meet
ings with his creditors began to form
themselves in his mind, and his sensitiv
feelings were already beginning to shrinl
painfully in anticipation, when he saw
Mr.. Adams enter his store.
81 am told that your paper has lai,
over Today" said the latter, as he too
the hand of Mr.. Atherton.
"You've heard Alright. The notary LEI
me but little while ago."
"For what amount have you bee
notedT
"Three thousand dollars"
"How much more will you need I
carry you through p
"Not less than ten thousand dollars" /"
"You shall have it, Mr.. Atherton.
labored under false impression regard
ing you, when / declined the arrange
ment you wished to make week age
Here is the money you need to-day.
And he drew forth his pocket-book as h
spoke. Get your paper out OF tn
hands Of the notary before he can protes
| il. Tomorrow | will see you and al