The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-09-27

~ 'ho ehlA IuIouSu WHICH Nc was aDOuG
10 pass.
Several times during the walk he was
on the point Of breaking the matter to
Mr.. c., but either his heart failed him
or his companion made some remark to
which he was compelled to reply. At
length they separated without any allu-
sion by Mr.. Elder to the subject on
which he was so desirous of speaking.
he had not the courage to utter the
first word.
But this was only postponing for a
very brief period the evil day. Several
remittances were an1ious1y looked for
that morning. He broke the sealing,
letter after letter, with trembling
anxiety. Alas the mail brought him
no aid. His last hope was gone. Moth
ing now remained for him but to tuin
his face bravely to tho threatening
storm and bear up against its fury.
For while he debated the question
as to what course was best for him to
pursue. At one time he thought of Civ
ing no information of his condition,
until the notary's protest should startle
them from their ignorance. Then he
thought it would be best to notify the
holder of paper due on that day that it
would not be taken up. Then it seemed
to him best to give notice of his con-
dltion. He prepared brief notes to all,
bat Mr.. Carlton first. His heart failed
him when be attempted to write his
name. ViyiGly, as if it had occurred
but the day previous, came up before
his mind all tho circumstances attend
ant upon that gentleman's appeal to his
creditors. His cheek burned when he
remembered the position he had assumed
in that affair.
But, even though such were his
feelings, when he came to dispatch the
notes he had prepared he could only
find courage to send tho ono written to
M. Carlton. The other creditors, whose
bills had matured that day, he thought
he wonld go and see but half an hour
passed without his acting upon the reso-
luton to do so. Most of the day was
spent in walking uneasily the floor of his
counting-room, or in examining certain
accounts i'll his ledger, or entries in his
bill book. He was bending, all alb
sorbed, over a page Of calculations at
his desk, when some one who had en-
tered unperceived pronounced his name.
He turned quickly and looked Mr.. Carl
ton in the face. The color mounted in
stautly to the temples of Mr.. Elder. He
tried to speak, but could not.
6 Your note has taken me altogether
by SURPRISE" said Mr.. Carlton. "But
L hope things are not so bad as you
suppose.
Mr.. Elder shook his head. He tried
to speak, but could not.
"Eow much have you to pay to-day 2"
asked Mr.. Carlton.
"Ten thousand dollars" was the re-
ply, in o husky voice.
"How much have you toward it 9'
"Not two thousand"
"How much falls due tomorrow
"Four thousand"
elbow much in month q"
"Fifty thousand"
"What will be your available re-
sources -
"Not half the amount"
Haven't you good billes"
Yes; but not negotiable"
Mr.. Carlton mused for some time. At
length he said:
You must not lie over to-day"
81 cannot help it."
elf you will transfer to me, as secu-
rity in case you have to stop payment,
the bills of which you speak, I will lend
you the amount you want to day."
The color retired from the cheeks of
Mr.. Elder and then came back with
quick flush. He made no answer, but
looked steadily and doubtingly into Mr..
Cartoons face.
81 have been in difficulties myself
and ! know how to sympathize with
Others" said the latter. "We should
aid if We can, not break down fellow
merchant when in trouble. Indorse bills
to my order for the sum you want, and
T vii al, e.
Elder turned slowly to his desk and
took therefrom sundry notes of hand in
the favor at various Gates from six to
twelve months, and indorsed them pay
able to Carlton, who Immediately gave
him sheck for eight thousand dollars
and lett the store.
A clerk was instantly dispatched to
tho bank and then Mr.. Elder sunk into
a chair, half stupefied. He could hardly
believe his senses until the Cancelled
notes were placed in his hands.
On the next morning. Mr.. Elder went
to his place of business with feelings
but little less troubled than they had
been on the day before. His payments
were lighter, but his means were for the
first time exhausted. The best he could
do would be to borrow; but he already
owed heavily for borrowed n-oney and
was not certain that to go further was
practicable. He thought of Mr.. Carl
ton; but every feeling of his heart for
babe him to seek further aid from him.
~ deserve no consideration there,
and cannot ask it," he murmured, as
he pursued his way toward his store.
The first thing that met his eye on en-
terlng his counting room was pile of
ship letters. There bad been an arrival
from Valparaiso. He broke the seal of
the first one he took up, with eagerness