South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-29

4 ~ ~ AAiS 6hoScAut ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tor the favor granted, touched more than
one heart that had been cold Us ice to-
ward him short time before. How
different were his feelings when he met
his family that evening, and silently
thanked Heaven that the cloud which
had lowered over and threatened to
break in desolating tempest had passed
from the sky.
Long before the arrival Of the time
for which an extension had been grant
ed, Mr.. Carlton was able to pay off eve.
rything, and to look in the face without
unpleasant emotions every man he met.
Strange things happen in real life
Mr.. Elder was shipper and extensively
engaged in trade. For series ofyears
everything went on prosperously with
him. His ventures always found a good
market. and his cossgnments safe and
energetic factors. All this he attributed
to his own business acumen.
never make bad shipments, he would
sometimes say. | never consirn to
doubtful agents.
A man like Mr.. Elder is rarely per-
mitted to go through life without prac-
teal conviction that he is in the hand
of One who governs all events. 1t is
rarely that such one does not become
painfully conscious in the end that hui
man prudence is as nothing.
The first thing that occurred TO check
the confident spirit of Mr. Elder was the
loss OF ship and cargo under circum.
stances that gave the underwriters fair
plea Tor not paying the risk. He sued
and was cast. The loss was twenty-five
thousand dollars.
n few weeks after news came that n
shipment TO the South American coast
had resulted in loss. From that time
everything seemed to go wrong. His
adventures found glutted market, and
his return cargocs II depression Of prices.
III he held on to n thing in the hope of
better rates, prices would 90 down, I'M
til, in desperate mood, he would sell
then they would 90 up steadily. The
time was when he could confine himself
strictly TO legitimate trade. But n ma.
mia for speculation now took hold of
him and urged him on to ruin. He even
ventured into the bcwildering precincts
of the stock market, lured by the hope
OF splendid results. Here he stood up
on ground that soon crumbled beneath
his feet. A loss OF twenty or thirty
thousand dollars cured him Of his folly,
and he turned with q sigh TO his count
ing-room, to digest with care and pru-
dent forethought, some safe operation
in his regular business.
But the true balance OF his mind was
lost. He could not consider with calm
ness the business IN hand. A false
move was the consequence. Loss in.
stead ofproft was the unfortunate result.
Seven years from the day Mr.. Elder
opposed an arrangement Mr.. Carlton,
which should regard the debtor as we'll
as the creditor, he himself found it i'm
possible to provide for all his heavy pay
ments. For some time he had kept his
head above water by making sacrifices.
but the end of this came.
After n slecpless night the merchant
started one morning for his store op.
pressed with the sad conviction that be-
fore the day closed his fair fame would
he furnished As he walked along Mr.
Carlton came 10 his side with cheerful
salutation. Mr.. g., was now large
creditor instead Of n debtor. On that
very day bills in his favor had matured
20 the amount OF five thousand dollars.
and these Elder could not pay. The
recollection Of this mado it almost i'm
possible for him 10 reply TO the pleasant
observations Of his companion. Vivid
is, as lift had occurred yesterday, came
mp before his mind the circumstance
that had TRANSFERRED few years previous
I ly. lie remembered how eagerly he had
sought, from the mercst selfish motives,
90 break down Mr.. Carlton and throw
him helpless upon the world, and how
hf Ia, h.
chants total overthrow Such recollec-
tons drove from his mind the hope that
for n moment hnd presented itself OF en-.
listing Mr.. Cartons good feelings and
securing him as friend in tie trial
through which be was about TO pass.
Several times during the walk he was
on the point OF breaking tho matter TO
Alr. G., but either his heart failed him or
his companion made some remark TO
which he was compelled 60 reply. At
length they separated without nny allu-
sion by Mr.. Elder TO the subject on
which Doe was 80 DESTROYS Of speaking.
lie had not the courage 90 utter the first
word.
But this was only postponing for n
very brief period tho evil day. Several
rCmitiauCes were anxiously looked for
that morning lie broke the sealing.
letter after letter. with trembling ankle
/ Is. Alas tho mail brought him no
ad Ills last hope was gone. Moth.
ing now remained for him but TO turn
iis face bravciy 90 the threatening storm
and bear up against It's fury.
For n while lac debated the question
as 90 what course was best FOR him 20
pursue Al one time he thOupbt of civ
ing mo- information Of Isis condition. un.
il The noiary's protest should startlo
ihom from their ignorance. Then he
thought 10 would be best 90 notify the
holders Of paper due on that day that 10
would not be taken up. Then IL seemed
to him best 20 give notice Of bis conjj.