The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-10-12
DEBTOR AND CREDITOR,

W men met IN New YORK. They
were merchants.
"What do you think of Cartoons af.
fairs, Mr.. ElderP" asked one of them.
al think we shall secure a pretty fair
percentage. Don't youP"
eyes, if we wind him up"
"That we shall do, of course. Why
let him 60 onP 1t will take him two or
three years to get through, if at all"
"lf he a get through in two or three
years, shall certainly be in favor of
letting him go on. Times have been
rather hard and business dull. But
every thing looks encouraging now."
81 don't believe in extensions, Mr..
Highland. The surest way, when a
man gets into difficulties, is &c wind him
up and secure what you can. Ten
chances to one, if you let him go, you
lose every cent"
"l have granted extensions in sew
eral instances, Mr.. Elder" replied his
companion, "and obtained, eventually,
my whole claim, except in q single
case"
cts always a risk. l go by the
motto, "A bird in the hand is worth two
in the bush,'" returned Elder. 81 am
always ready to take what | can get to.
day, and never trust to the morrow.
That is my way of doing business"
"But do you not think the debtor en-
titled to some consideration"
"HowP" with Il look of surprise.
ale is Il man of like passions with
ourselves"
81 don't know that / understand you
exactly, Mr.. Highland"
"Mr. Carlton has domestic relations
as well as you and L."
81 never doubted it. But what Of
thatP"
elf we break him up in business, the
evil will not visit him alone. Think Of
the effect upon his family"
"In trade we never consider a mans
family relations"
"But should we not, Mr.. Elder?
Should we not regard the debtor as q
manP"
"As a man who owes us, and is un.
able to pay what is due; but in no 9th.
err light" returned Mr.. Elder, with q
slight curl of the lip.
"There W. differ widely"
"And will continue to differ, l imag.
inc. Good morning, Mr.. Highland!'
The two men parted.
An hour previous, Mr.. Carlton, abou,
whom they had been conversing, sal
with his family,a wife and three daugh,
tiers, at the brcakfast-table. lie tried
to converse in his usual cheerful man
ner, but too heavy a weight was upor
his heart. There had come q crisis il
his affairs, which he feared woulC
not be passed without ruin to himself
If the effects of his misfortune woul(
not reach beyond his store and count
ing-room; if upon his head alone woul,
fall the fragments of n broken fortune
he would not have murmured. Blu
the disaster could not stop there. i
would extend even to the sanctuary O
home.
On the day previous she had calle'
on a few of his creditors and asked O
them an extension. If this were no
given, it would be impossible for hir
to keep or longer than a few weeks
The spirit in which most of the credit
ors had received the unexpected ar
nouncement that he was in difficulties
gave him little to hope. He was t
have another interview with them dul
ing the day. From that, as it woul
exhibit the result of a nights reflectio
upon the minds of his creditors, b
would be able to see clearly his chance
of being sustained in business. II
awaited the hour with nervous anxiet,
When it arrived, and the few creditor
called in had assembled, he saw lit
in their faces to give him hope. III
first who spoke ONT plainly was Eide
al, gentlemen" he said, firmly, "a
opposed to all extensions. If a ma
not pay as he goes, l think he hi
better wind up"
elf all do moi agree in this matte
it will be no use to attempt extendil
Mr.. Cartoons time" remarked one
the creditors, who thought and felt
did Elder, but was not willing to cor
out so plainly.
"That is very true" said a third.
"A partial extension will be of
use."
The heart of poor Carlton almc
ceased to beat.
Shave you any objection of retiri
for a few minutesP" said Mr.. Highla
to the debtor.
=, 81 will withdraw, certainly, "retu,
ed Mr.. Carlton, and left the room.
"My W view, gentlemen" said \
Highland, "is, that we ought to grs
all that is asked. Mr.. Cartoons bu
ness is good, and he will get over
present difficulties easily, il we OF
assist him a little. We should be ju
as man toward man; and this l do
think w should be in this case uni
we consider Carlton as we'll as o
selves. He is an honest man, and
honest man in difficulties is always
titled 10 consideration"
"That is all very well. But whe
man gives his note payable at a cert
day, he ought to be very sure that
will be able to take it Up. Credit