The Van Buren press., 1877-10-16

Two men met in New York. They
were merchants.
what do you think of Cartons af
fairs, Mr.. Elder 7" asked one of them.
81 think we shall secure pretty fail
per centage. Don't you?"
Yes, if we wind him up
"That we shall do, of course. VIII,
let him go on? 1t will take him two OF
three years to get through, if at ALL"
elf he can get through in two or three
years, shall certainly be in favor of let
ting 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 a 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, land obtained, eventually, my
whole claim, except in single CASE
"Its always a risk. Igo by the mot.
to, A bird in the hand is worth two in
! the bush, ~ returned Nh. 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 p
GLOW 2" with look Of surprise.
ale is man Of like passions with
ourselves"
~ don't know that understand you,
exactly, Mr.. Highland"
"Mr Carlton has domestic relations,
as well as you and -
81 never doubted it. But what of
that ?"
"If we break him up in business, the
evil will not visit him alone. Think Of
the effect upon his family"
d" In trade we never consider a man S
family relations"
'aBut. should we not, Mr. Elder !?
Should we not regard the debtor as II
man?'
"a man who owes us, and Is unable
to pay what is due; but in no other
light returned Mr.. Elder, with a slight
curl of the lip.
~ L mere we ulileT Wlluly.
"And will continue to differ, imag-
inc. Good morning, Mr.. Highland"
The two men parted.
An hour previous Mr. Carlton, about
whom they had been conversing, sat with
his family, wife and three daughters at
the breakfast table. He tried to converse
in his usual cheerful manner. but too
'neuvy weight was upon his heart
There had cone crisis in his affairs
which he feared would not be passed
without ruin to himself. If the effects
Of his misfortune would not reach be-
yond his store and counting room; if
upon his head alone would fall the frag-
ments of broken fortune, he would not
have murmured But the diaaster could
not stop there. 1t would extend even to
the sanctuary Of home.
On a few days previous he had called
on few of his creditors and asked of
them an extension. If this were not Civ
en-, it would be impossible for him to
keep on lon 5er than a few weeks. The
spirit in which most of the creditors had
received the unexpected announcement
that he was in difficulties, gave him little
to hope. He was to have another inter
view with them during the day. From
that, as it would exhibit the result of u
nights reflection upon the minds of his
creditors, he would be able to see clearly
chances of being sustained in business.
He awaited the hour with nervous ankle
ty. When it arrived, and the few credit
crs called in had assembled, he saw little
in their faces to give him hope. The first
who spoke out plainly was Elder.
81, gentlemen" he said, firmly. am
opposed to all extensions. If a man can
not pay as he goes, think he had better
wind up
"If all do not agree in this matter, it
will be no use to attempt extending Mr.
Carlton's time,' remarked Que Of the cred
itors, who thought and felt like Elder,
but was not willing to come out so
plainly
That is very true raid third.
GA partial extension will be of no
use"
The heart Of poor Carlton almost
ceased to beat.
"Have you any objections to retiring
for few minutes ?" sand Mr.. Highland
to the debtor.
81 will withdraw, certainly returned
Mr.. Carlton, and left the room.
"My own view, gentleman" said Mr..
Highland, ais, that we ought to grant all
that is asked. Mr. Cartoons business is
good, and he will get over his present
difficulties easily, if we only assist him a
little. We should be just as man to-
ward man. and this dc not think we
should be in this case, unless we consider
Carlton as well as ourselves. He is an
homes. man, and a honest man in difficult
ties is always entitled to consideration
THAT is all very well But when a
nan gives his note payable at certain
Law, he ought to be very sure that ne
will &c able to take il up. Creditors are
ont;tIod t., some consideration as welt as
debtors. The cry of poor debtor is
soon raised. but w,.o, l wonder, thinks of
tho poor creditor2 !, for one, am not
to EXTEND
This was by Elder.
AS for me-" spoke up another. =
take but one view of matters like this I
If | think | will do better by renewing,
| am ready to do SO ; if by winding up
the marty, now, can do better, ! go for
winding up have confidence in Carl
toms integrity. | believe be means well, |