The Van Buren press., 1877-10-16

face. The color mounted instantly to
the temples Of Mr.. Elder. lie tried to
speak, but he could not,
"Your note has taken mo altogether
by SURPRISE" said Mr.. Carlton. " But
hope things are not as bad as you sup
pose"
Mr.. Elder shook his head. He tried
to speak, but he could not.
GLOW much have you to pay, to-mor-
row p asked Mr. Carlton.
"Ten thousand dollars" was the re
ply, in husky veice.
GLOW much have you toward it ?'
" Not two thousand
"How much falls due, tomorrow Z"
"Four thousand
GLOW much in q month {"
"Fifty thousand
"Wnat VIII De your available rcsour.
ces ?"
Not half the amount"
+" Haven't you good bills p
Yes; but not negotiable"
Mr.. Carlton unused for some time. At
length he spoke:
You must not lie over, to-day
81 cna not help it."
"lf you will transfer to me, as securi-
ty, in case you have to stop payment, the
bills of which you speak, will lend you
the amount you want, to-day"
The color retired from the cheeks OF
Mr.. Elder, and then came back with a
quick flush. He made no answer, but
looked steadily and doubtihgly into Mr..
Cartons face
have been in difficulties, myself,
and know how to sympathize with 9th.
ers, said the latter. 1--WE should aid, If
we can, not pull down, fellow merchant
when in trouble. lndorse bills to my
order, for the sum you want. and | will
fill up check for the amount"
Elder turned slowly to his desk, and
took thcrefrom sundry notes of hand in
his favor, at various dates, from one to
twelve months, and Endorsed them paya.
BILE to Carlton, who Immediately gave him
check for eight Thousand dollars, and
left the store.
A clerk was instantly dispatched to the
bank, and then Mr.. Elder sunk into his
chair, half.stupefied. lie could hardly
believe his senses until the Cancelled notes
were placed in his hands.
On the next morning, Mr.. Elder went
to his place of business, with feelings
but little less troubled than they had been
on the day before. His payments were
lighter, but his means, for the first time,
were exhausted The best he could do,
would be to borrow, but he already owed
heavily, for borrowed money, and was
not certain that 90 further was practical
BILE. He thought of Mr.. Carlton; but
every feeling of his heart forbade him to
SEEK further AID r,vui him.
- deserve no consideration there,
and Icannot ask it" he murmured, as he
pursued his way toward his store. The
first thing that met his eye on entering
his counting room, was pile OF ship
letters. There had been an arrival from
Valparaiso. He broke the seal Of the first
one he took up with eagerness. "Thank
God - was his almost immediate excla-
nations. 1t was from one of his cap
tains, and contained drafts for fifteen
thousand dollars. 1t also informed him
the ship Sarah, commanded by said cap
tain, would sail for home in week, with
a return cargo ofhidcs and specie amour
ting to thirty thousand dollars. The
voyage had been profitable beyond ex
pectation.
Elder had just finished reading the let
ter, when Mr.. Carlton came in. SEEKING
the kind-hearted merchant by the hand,
and pressing it hard, he said, with emo
ton:
"Carlton, you have saved me! Alb,
sir this would be to me far happier
moment, if, seven years ago, when you
were in trouble, had as generously aid.
ed you.
LET the past sleep in peace" return
ed Mr.. Carlton. E" If fortune has smiled
again, permit me to rejoice with you. as
do with all who are blessed with tavoring
gales. To meet with difficulties is of use
to us. gives us the power of sympa.
thy with others; and that gift we should
all desire, for it is a good thing to lift
the burden from shoulders bent down
with too heavy weight, and throw sun
light over heart shaded by gloom"
Mr.. Elder recovered from his crippled
condition in the course OF few months.
He was never again known to Cypress a
suffering debtor.