The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-04-20

greenbacks.
"Here is 81, $50 in cash, and here is
check for 81, 700. Go in and win"
Thornton jumped up and grasped m!
hand, exclaiming:
you're a man of nervel You deserv,
to be richl"
well" said I, sit depends a gooc
deal on you. See that you make NJ
mistake"
''Never fear, said he, you'll be wortl
$40, 900 before you know it."
after some further conversation We
parted, my occasional misgivings being
speedily dipelled by delightful visions
of sudden wealth.
You viii see that ] had put into
Thorntons hands the whole of my little
inherita1ce together with two years in
terest, which had allowed to accumu.
late, my salary for the last two years
having been amply sufficient for my
wants. | am satisfied that it would
have been lucky thing for me if 1 had
lost every cent of it. But, as it hap.
pened, Thornton's instinct was not al
fault, he sold out at Just the right mo.
ment, and found myself as he had pre-
dicted, worth $4,000 besides several
odd hundreds with which / INDUCED in
champagne, game suppers, and some
other expensive .luxuries which l had
hitherto entirely avoided.
had selfcontrOl enough to deposit
my money in bank, keep my secret, and
attend steadily to my regular business.
Thornton, too, kept mis- affairs from his
employers, but continued TO speculate
with his share of the profits made off my
capital, and with such success that in a
few months he was worth as much as l.
My'resolution to be satisfied with what
| bad made, and tempt fortune no more,
gradually vanished as / noted his con-
tiuued prosperity, and when he came to
me with secret information of a projected
movement in leading stock, which prom
ised results of the most flattering charac
ter, and told me he had invested every
cent he had in that stock, l readily
agreed to do the same. At first every
thing went well. The stock began to
rise slowly, and at one time we might
have made four or FIVE thousand apiece
by selling, though neither of us thought
of thst for moment. Then there came
lul, and then, without moments
warning, the stock tumbled with such
frighful rapidity that, before we
realized it, our little fortunes were swept
away. Thorton made haste to sell. but
we found ourselves $4,000 in debt, and
with no consolation except that some
neutrality-suspicious. had been cleaned
out inthe same style as ourselves.
l shall not soon forget our meeting
after this disaster / could not reproach
Tborton, for his losses were as heavy as
mine, and it was he who rescued US from
the dilemma of having to pay $4,000 be-
tween us at once without funds, er have
our transactions exposed to our respec-
tive employers.
I" have friend,'' said he, who will
shave our joint note for fair discount,
and before it comes due, we shall have
time to get on our feet again"
1 cannot say l liked the su question,
but there was no alternative. Thornton
introduced me to his friend, the note
shaver, Mr.. Jackson, cunning, oily
man, with dissgreeable expression sf
countenance, though his manner was
singularly polite, considering that we
could furnish no security. However,
we had to give him note for $4,000,
payable in six moths, with interest, in
order to get the $4,000 we needed.
This transaction completed, we breathed
more freely, feeling that we had at least
a six months reprieve.
The misery 1 endured during those
six months, 1 cannot attempt to describe.
hardly saw Thornton, who studiously
avoided me, until one evening, toward
the end of the fifth month, he called me
into Mouquin's, and showed me release,
signed by Jackson, from all obligation
under our joint note.
What does this mean ?' gasped.
at means that have paid my half
with interest,"" said Thornton.
4" And where did you get the money ?"
cried, amazed.
Specializing in stocks," was the cool
reply. why don't you? 1 suppose
Wilson, Carter & Co. would lend you
enough to begin with. AT any rate you
can borrow it of them, even if they don't
lend it."
With these words Thornton turned
and abruptly walked away. suppose
he meant to do me a service by this infer
nal suggestion, but he might better have
thrust dagger into my heart. 1 can
not tell how l brooded that night over
what he said. or how next day 1 trem-
blingly acted upon it, employing young
broker, to whom Thornton had intro
duced me, to invest the purl0ined funds.
/ had some delusive successes, but
the day the note came due pes
sessed not cent to meet my share of it,
and was 81, 500 behind in my accounts
with my employers. Mastering up all
my courage I called on Jackson, told
him had not been so fortunate as my
friend Thornton, and ventured to propose
that he accept my note for So, 900 in set
tIement of my present obligation.
al will do so readily" said he, "upon
one condition, and that is, that you have
a good name at the back of it."
"Yet hardly know to whom l could
apply.'' said. 81 would much rather
give you greater discount on my own
prou1isory note-in fact, any discount
you choose TO demand"
"And that's the very reason, my dear
fellow" said Jackson, Il will not do it,
unless / have good name at the back.
On that condition have no objection to
make il year, 50 as to allow you suffi-
cient time to look about you and pay
the money comfortably. Now, think
well if there is any person to whom you
could apply. You are very thick with
the Junior partner in your firm, why not
get him to put his name to it? At any