Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-06-11

Laura returned at this point, and shotly
afterwards her father went away.
On the next day Charles called at Mr..
Fuller's counting-room, and the papers were
made ont for the bank.
A few evenings thereafter there was a
party at the house of friend, whee many
of the chief business men of the phcc were
present. Charles and his wife wee Of this
number. In the course of the evening
gentleman approached Charles, AID tapped
him on the shoulder
"By the way, Lee, have you leard, lately,
from Claxton & Smonds, of StLouis2 p
There were standing within hearing of
several gentlemen, who gathered nearer-as
they heard the question.
Charles replied in the affirmative.
"And what is their conditonp"
"Do you mean flnancially?'
"Yes."
"Thelr condition is undoubtedly good"
"Can they meet their maturing obliga-
tions?'
II have perfect confidence in them"
20, Charlesw cried Laura, whe had been
hanging upon his arm, show can you say
SOP"
Laura p
"When they wrote to papa only week
ago that they couldn't pay him dollar
And you know how dreadfully worried he
was. declare, don't believe they ever
mean to pay cent Didn't poor papa tell
me, with his own lips, that he dared not
push themY'
Charles Lee was ready to sink from shame
and modification. OF those gathered to
listen were three directors of the principal
bank in the town. He would have stepped
his wife's speech had 1t been possible; but
she ratified on in spite of his implorlng
look
Laura" he said, "you do not undersl ind.
Your father iids iio eais-A''
20, Charles When he said, dstne ,ly,
that the ten thousand dollars now due, and
ten thousand dollars more in month, he
wouldn't get ~
The bank directors turned away, and 80
did Charles Lee. His wife saw that he was
very pale, and she thought 1t was from an
ger, SO she embraced the first opportunity TO
slip away from him.
On their way home Laura said
81 suppose you are very much put out,
CharlesY'
"About what?"
about what said concerning Claxton
Il Simonds."
81 am distressed, Laura; but If you think
you did right, have nothing to say"
Goodness mercy Anybody would think
had done something dreadful"
"Don't speak of 1t now, please. wish
10 give you no more lectures. For the pres
ent let the matter rest as IL Is, so far as you
and are concerned"
"But, Charles, you were telling Mr.. Bur
bank that Claxten & Simonds were good"
81 was telling what firmly believed to
be the truth, Laura. You did not hear the
whole of your fathers disclosure the other
evening. He and both believe Claxton &
Simonds TO be financially stronger than ever
before, but the opening Of new and distant
markets for their goods has, for the time, alb
sorbed their surplus capital and thus crampcd
them. At all events, have so much faith
in their soundness that have lent my name
to carry their paper"
They had reached home at this point, and
the conversation was dropped.
On the very next evening Mr.. Fuller came
in, pale and haggard.
Papa, what is the matter p cried Laura,
in alarm.
lie kissed her and gently put her aside,
and having taken seat, he said 10 his SON
in-law:
"Charles, am crnsbedp
Father
"'rhe bank won't touch our paper The
directors know that my sole reliance 8 npon
the solvency O Claxton d Simonds and
somebody has told them of the letter had
received from that firm; but the whole truth
has not been told them. They only know
that my Western consignecs are short in
their returns twenty thousand dollars"
"What will you do?"
"What can dor If l cannot raise ten
thousand dollars within week, must sus-
pend. o, my soul, this Is dreadful Charles
have you told to anybody the substance of
that letter."
II have not whispered II outside Of my
own house."
at Is certainly known. Some Of the d.
rectors heye heard Of it,
Thus far Laura had listened In silence,
and now, gasping and quiyering, she sank
down at her fathers feet and bowed her head
upon his knees.
30, papa, / did ~ ! am the wicked one
o, what can dor
Her father gathered her up into bis arms,
aud, with her head upon his shoulder, she
confessed all her fault
90, papa, shall die If I have ruined
your
"lIush. my child shall not be ruined.
Charles and | will find some way out from
the strait But, surely, this should be les.
son 10 you"
ut will II wilt Never, never, never
will do that wrong again r.
Laums misery, ioi The time, cast other
trouble into the shade, and both her father
and scr husband tried 10 be cheerful But
she could find mo- JOY A great agony was