The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-12-23
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
A New Years story.

New 4 ear = SbOFy.
A creat-hearted, broad-minded man
was Frank Severns. He was generous,
communicable and even brilliant-of
large sympathies. manly impulses and
ready wit. He was a general favOrite
among the younger portion of the COM
munity and on excellent terms with old
and young alike. He had no enemy in
all the world except one and that one
was getting the better of him from year
to year. 1t was bad habit, which he
had acquired while at college, and
which had stuck to him "closer than
brother" to his serious harm, physical
", intellectually and financially. He
was conscious of its effects, but lacked
the moral courage to resist its power.
A man of middle age, whose /" start in
life'' had been suspicious, his more ju-
dicious friends felt grieved that sOnoble
a fellow, with such fair prospects be-
fore him if he would but be faithful to
himself, should become slave to his
appetite and sacrifice himself to its
qualification. But, whatever may have
been their thoughts or their quiet whis
perings, none of his friends or COM
panions ever made known to him their
regrets or apprehensions. They thought
thew saw the rock towards which his
ship was rapidly drifting, but would
not. either by word or signal, warn him
of the peril.
Frank Severns was merchant in the
village of vulnerable, and had been in
trade for over dozen years. One day
it was the last day of the year-his
cashier, with an anxious, troubled look,
requested private interview with him.
{" Mr.. Severns," said the cashier, sit
is my unpleasant duty to inform you
that the bank refuses to make us any
further advances. The balance has
been against us for several weeks, and
the President of the bank spoke to me
very sharply to-day"
fWhat does it mean? Why this
shabby treatment? asked the mer-
chant.
HE says he is afraid of you" said
the cashier. 90 / must repeat to you his
very words: 4" Frank Severns,n he said,
"must shut down in his extravagant
and ruinous habits if he wants to retain
the confidence of this bank. He is neg
lecting his business-spends too much
of his time and money in convivial COM
pany, and is going to the dogs as fast
as possible. Everybody is speaking of
it. This bank can afford to trihe with
such men-can't run any risks and
the sooner his balance is paid up here
the better, and the sooner he changes
his personal habits, the better, too
These were his exact words, and he
spoke angrily," said the cashier,
The merchant was at first utterly
dumb with establishment, and then sue
ceeded feeling of indignation.
Its none of his business or his
banks business what my personal hab-
its are" he said, with much emotion.
Then. few moments afterwards, he
asked the cashier: John, is it true
that our business is suffering from my
neglect? You always speak the truth
is this true?"
Il must tell you candidly, Mr.. Sew
erns," solemnly replied the cashier,
"matters are going wrong with us, as
you yourself can see by a look at the
books and at the last few monthly bal
ance-sheets. We are running behind
badly. and this state ofthings cannot go
on much longer"
And is the bank indeed justified in
its refusal to grant us further adj
Yances?"
Were you banker" said the CASH
Ter, 4" | think you would do just as they
have done if customer should keep
his account overdrawn month after
month, as we have done"
XNal Tobn 1911 lob into the mat
ter. and Wen see what to do to-mor-
row." said the merchant, his first emo
tons of surprise and indignation grad
ually subsidiug, as. on calm reflection,
the stern fact became apparent to his
mind that there was justice in the
bankers severe words-that something
was indeed going wrong, and that his
financial situation was actually critical.
The remainder of that day and the
succeeding night were hours of pro-
found meditation, self-inspection and
anxiety on the part of Mr.. Frank Sew
ems. who had locked himself in his
private room. 1t was after midnight
when the struggle within him ended.
Pm resolved" he exclaimed, final
", "my mind is made up. | have been
q fool see it now-and this very hour
/ begin a new course of life"
The first hour of the new year had
struck when the troubled merchant re-
tired. A battle of conflicting emotions
and considerations had been fought
within his breast. and. feeling that the
better part of himself had at last won
the victory, he sank to rest.
A week of the new year had passed;
the officers of the Bank of Winterdale