Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-12-29
The Money Lender.

The Money Lender.
A NEW rKARs STORY.
MIR. Edgar was a money lender and scru-
pied not in exacting the highest "street |
rates Of interest that could be obtained.
II good paper were offered and he could
buy it from the needy seeker of cash at
two or even three per cent month, he did
not hesitate about the transaction on any
scruples Of justice between man and man.
Below one per cent month he rarely made
loans. He had nothing to do with the ques-
ton as to whether the holder Of bills could
afford the sacrifice. The circle of his
thoughts went not beyond gain to himself.
Few days closed with Mr.. Edgar that he
was not able to count up gains as high as
from thirty to one hundred dollars-not ac
quired in trade, not coming back to him as
the reward of productive industry, but the
simple accumulation of large clippings from
the anticipated reward of others industry.
Always with a good balance In bank, he
had but to sign his name to a check and the
slight effort was repaid by gain of from
ten to fifty dollars, according to the size
and time of the note he had agreed to dis
count. A shrewd man, and well acquainted
with the business standing of all around
him, Mr.. Edgar rarely made mistakes in
money transactions. There was always
plenty of good paper Offering and he never
touched anything regarded as doubtful.
Was Mr. Edgar happy man Ah that
is home question. But we answer frankly,
no. During his office hours, while his love
of gain was active-while good customers
were coming and going, and good opera
tions being effected, his mind was in
pleasurable glow. But at other times he
suffered greatly from pressure on his feel
ings, the cause of which he did not clearly
understand. Wealth he had always re-
garded as the greatest good in life, aud now
he not only had wealth but the income
therefrom was great deal more than he
had any desire to spend. And yet he was
not happy; no, not even in the thought Of
his large possessions. Only in the mental
activity through which more was obtained
did he really find satisfaction but this still
was only of short duration.
Positive unhappiness Mr.. Edgar often ex-
perenced. Occasional losses, careful and
shrewd as he always was, were inevitable.
These fretted him greatly. To lose thou
sand dollars, instead of gaining, as was
pleasantly believed, some sixty or seventy,
was shower of cold water upon his ardent
love of accumulation, and he shivered pain
fully under the inhiction. The importu-
mites of friends who needed money, and to
whom it was unsafe to lend it, were also a
source OF no small annoyance. And, more
over, there was little of the hearts warm
sunshine at home. As Mr.. Edgar had
thought more of laying up wealth for his
children than giving them the true riches of
intellect and heart, ill weeds had sprung up
in their minds. lie had not loved them with
an unselfsh love, and he received not
higher affection than he had bestowed.
Their prominent thought in regard to him
seemed ever to be the obtaining Of some
concession to their real or imaginary wants
and if denied these they reacted upon him
in anger sullenness or complaint.
Oh, no, Mr.. Edgar was not happy Few
CLEANS of sunshine lay across his path.
Life, to him, in his own bitter words, ut
tered after some keen disappointment, had
"proved failure" And yet, he continued
eager for gain; would cut as Deep exact as
much, from those who had need of his
money in their business as ever. The meas
ure of percentage was the measure of his
satisfaction.
One day gentleman said to him:
Mr.. Edgar, | advised young mechanic,
who has been in business for short time,
dllu WuO HAS " Idhc HUGS lOI MOIh, W
call on you for the purpose of getting them
cashed He has no credit in bank, and is
therefore, compelled to 60 upon the street
for money. Most of his work is taken by
one of the safest houses in the city; his
paper is, therefore, as good as any in market.
Deal as moderately with him as you can.
lie knows little about these matters, or
where to go for the accommodation he
needs!
Is he an industrious and prudent young
man ?" inquired Mr. Edgar, caution and Gu
pidty ak once excited.
"IIe IS"
"What's his name 2"
"Blakewell"
"Oh, know him. Very well; send him
along, and if his paper is good, I'll dis
count it,"
"You'll find it first rate" said the gentle
man.
"How much shall charge him ?" that
was Mr.. Edgar's first thought, so soon as he
was alone. Even as he asked himself the
question, the young mechanic entered.
d" You take good paper sometimes 2" said
the latter in hesitating manner.
The countenance of Mr.. Edgar became
instantly very grave.
Sometimes | do" he answered, with as
sumed indifference.
al have note of Leyden & Co.'S that
wish discounted" said BLACKWELL.
"For how much 2"
"Three hundred dollars six months;"
and handed Mr.. Edgar the note.
81 don't like over four months notes."
remarked the money lender, coldly. Then
he asked, what rate of interest do you ex-
peot TO pay Z"
Whatever is usual OF course | wish
to get it done as low as possible, My
profits are not large, and every dollar pay
In discounts is so much taken from the
growth of my business and the comfort of
my family"
"You have family ?"
4" Yes, sir. A wife and four children"
Mr.. Edgar mused for a moment or two,
An unseltish thought was struggling to get
into his mind
"Whst have you usually paid on this pa
per p he asked.
"The last had discounted cost me one
and a half per cent month"
"Notes of this kind are rarely marketable
below that rate said Mr. Edgar. lie had
thought of exacting two per cent. "If you
will leave the note and call round in half
an hour, will see what can be done"
avery well" returned the mechanic. "Be
as moderate with me as you can."
For the half hour that went by during the
young mans absence, MIR. Edgar walked the
floor Of his counting-room trying TO come to
some decision in regard to the note. Love
of gain demanded two per cent month,
while a feeble voice, scarcely heard, 30 far
away did n aaam nlaadad for a ganarons ra-