Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-01-10

break down Mr.. Carlton, and throw
him helpless upon the world, and
how near he was to accomplishing
the merchants fatal overthrow
Such recollections drove from his
mind the hope that for moment
had presented itself Of enlisting
Mr.. Cartons good feelings, and Sc
curing him as friend in the trial
through which be was about to
pass. Several times during the
walk he was on the point Of break
ing the matter to Mr.. Carlton, hut
either his heart failed him, or his
companion made some remark to
which he was compelled to reply.
At length they separated without
any illusion by Mr.. Elder to the
subject on which he was so desir-
Gus OF speaking.
He had not the courage to utter
the first word. But this was only
postponing for a brief period the
evil day. Several remittances were
anxiously looked for that morning.
He broke the ceiling, letter after
letter, with trembling anxiety. AL
as! the mail brought him no aid.
His last hope WAS gone. Nothing
now remained for him but to turn
his face hravely to the threatening
storm, and bear up against its fury.
For . while he debated the ques-
ton as to what course was best for
him to pursue. At one time he
thought Of giving no information
Of his condition until the notsry's
protest should startle them from
their. ignorance. Then he thought
it would be best to notify the hold
ers Of paper due on that day, that
il would not he taken up
Then 1t seemed to him bsst to give
notice Of his condition. He pre-
pared notes to oil, but to Mr.. Carl
ton first. His heart failed him
when he attempted to write his
name. Vividly, as II it had occur
red but the day previous, came mp
before his mind all the circumstan-
ces attendant upon that gentleman's
appeal to his creditors. His cheek
burned when he remembered the
position be had assumed in that az
fair. But, even though such were
his feelings, when he came to de-
spatch the notes he had prepared,
he could only find courage to send
the one written to Mr.. Carlton
The other creditors whose bills had
matured that day, he thought he
would 60 and see; but half an
hour passed without his acting up
on the resolution to do so. Most
Of the day was spent in walking
uneasily the foor Of his counting
room, OF In examining certain &C.
counts in his ledger, or entries in
his bill-book. He was bending, al
absorbed, over Q page OF calcula'
tions at his desk, when some one
who had entered unperceived, pro-
nounced his name. He turned
quickly, and looked Mr.. Carlton il
the face. The color mounted in
stautly to the temples Of Mr.. Elder
He tried to speak, but could not.
"Your note has taken me alto
gether by SURPRISE" said Mr.. Carl
ton, "but l hope things are not a
bad As you imagine"
Mr.. Elder shook his head. HI
endeavored to speak, but in vain.
"How much have you to pay to
day r. asked Carlton.
"Tep Thousand dollars, was th'
reply, in husky voice.
"How much have you towardit 7
"Not two thousand"
"How much falls due tomorrow
"Four thousand"
"How much in . month T.
"Fifty thousand"
"what will be your available re-
sources 7"
"Not half the amount"
Haven't you good billsr
Eyes; but not negotiable"
Mr.. Carlton mused for some time
At length he said,-
"You must not lie over to-day"
81 cannot help it,"
"If you will transfer to me, q
security in case you have to sto
payment, the bills Of which yo'
speak, will lend you the amoun
that you want to-day"
The color retired from the cheek