Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-09-16
DEBTOR AND CREDITOR.


were merchants.
"What do you think OF Cartoons af
fairs, Mr.. Elder2" asked one of them.
"I think we shall secure pretty fair
percentage. Don't you9"
Yes, if we wind him up"
"That we shall do, of course. Why
let him go on2 It will take hir two OF
three years to get through, if at ALL"
elf he can get through in two OF
three years, l shall certainly be in favor
of letting him go on. Times have been
rather hard and business dull. But
everything looks encouraging now."
81 don't believe in extensions, Mr..
Highland. The surest way, when man
gets into difficulties, is to wind him up
and secure what you can. Ten chances
to one, if you let him 60, you lose every
cent"
81 have granted extensions in several
instances, Mr., Elder" replied his COM
panion, "and obtained, eventually, my
whole claim, except in q single case"
"It's always risk. I 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"
Bnt do you not think the debtor en-
titled to some consideration 2"
"How9" with look OF surprise.
"He is a man of like passions with
ourselves"
81 don't know that I understand you
eyat tly, Mr.. Highland"
"Mr. Carlton Las domestic relations
rs we'll as you and l. )"
81 never doubted it. But what OF
that?'
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 mans
family relations"
"But should we not, Mr.. Elder9
Should we not regard the debtor as
man2"
cas- man who owes us, and is unable
to pay what is due ; but IN no other
light" returned Mr.. Elder, with
slight curl of the lip.
"There we differ widely"
"And will continue to differ, I
imagine. Good morning, Mr.. High
land |"
The two men parted.
An hour previous, Mr.. Carlton, abont
whom they had been conversing, sat
with his family, wife and three daugh-
ters, at the breakfast table. He tried to
converse in his usual cheerful manner,
but too heavy weight was upon his
heart. There had come crisis in his
affairs, which he feared would not be
passed without ruin to himself. If the
effects of his misfortune would not
reach beyond his store and counting
room; if upon his head alone would fall
the fragments of broken fortune he
would not have murmured. But the
disaster could not stop there. 1t would
extend even to the sanctuary of home.
On the day previous he had called on
q few of his creditors and asked of them |
an extension. If this were not given,
it would be impossible for him to keep
on longer than few weeks. The spirit
in which most of the creditors had re-
ceived the unexpected announcement
that he was in difficulties, gave him
little to hope. He was 70 have another
interview with them during the day.
From that, as it would exhibit the re-
suit of nights reflection upon the
minds of his creditors, he would be
able to see clearly his chances of being
sustained in business. He awaited the
hour with nervous anxiety. When it ar
lived, and the few creditors called in
lad assembled, he saw little in their
aces to give him hope, The first who
poke out plainly was Elder.
81, gentlemen" he said, firmly, "am
opposed to ali extensions. If man can
lot pay as he goes, I think he had bet
er wind up"
" II all do not agree in this matter, it
viii be no use to attempt extending Mr..
Jarlton's time," remarked one of the
who thought and felt as did
elder, but was not will & to come ont
% plainly.
"lhat is very true," said a third.
8 A partial extension will be of no use."
The heart of poor Carlton almost
eased to beat.
"Have you any objection to retiring
or few minutes2" said Mr.. Highland
o the debtor. T.
i will withdraw, certainly" returned
dr. Carlton, and left the room.
My own view, gentlemen" said Mr..
us, that we ought to grant
Ill that is asked. Mr.. Cartoons busi- !
less is good, and he will get over his
resent difficulties easily, if we only
ssist him little. We should be Just, 6
s man toward man; and this do not {
hink we should be in this case unless I
7e consider Carlton as we'll as ourselves. /
Ie is an honest man, and an honest man
4 difficulties is always entitled to con- I
Iteration" 1
THAT is all very we'll. But when a f
IAN gives his note payable at a certain !
ay, he ought to be very sure that he |
ill be able to take it up. Creditors are l
ntitled to some consideration as well I
) debtors. The cry of 'poor debtor is |
BON raised, bnt who, 1 wonder, thinks s
the poor creditor7 ], for one, am not c
repaired to extend" a
This was said by Elder.
!" As for me-" spoke up another, ct s
Ike but one view of matters like this. b
II 4 - r |