The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-14
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
A New Years story.

A New Years Story.
A great-hearted broad-minded man was
Frank SeFerns He was generous, compan-
ionable, and even brilliant-of large SYM
pathies, manly impulses and ready wit. He
was general favorite among the younger
portion of the community, 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 a BROTHER" to
his serious harm, physically, intellectually
and financially. He was conscious of its eff
fects. but lacked the moral courage to resist
its power A man of middle age, whose
estart in life" had been suspicious, his more
judicious friends felt grieved that so noble
fellow, with such fair prospects before 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
whisperings, none of his friends or eompan-
ions ever made known to him their regrets
or apprehensions. They thought they saw
the rock toward which his ship was rapidly
drifting, but would not, either by word or
signal, warn him of the peril.
Frank Severns was a merchant in the vii
lage of vulnerable, and had been in trade
over dozen years. One day-it was the
last day of the year-his cashier, with,,an anx-
ious, troubled look, requested private inter
view with him
"Mr. Severns," said the cashier, ''It Is my
unpleasant duty to inform you that the bank
refused to make us any more advances. The
balance has been against us for several weeks
and the president of the bank spoke to me
very sharply to-day"
"What does it mean? Why this shabby
treatment" asked the merchant.
.He says he is afraid of you," said the
cashier. al must repeat to you his very
words: Frank Severns'" he said, "'must
shut down on his extravagant and ruinous
habits ifhe wants to retain the confidence
of this bank He is ueglecting his business
spends too much of his time and money in
cOnvivial company, and is going to the dogs
as fast as possible Everybody is speaking of
it. The bank can't afford to trife 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 amazement, and then succeeded a feel
ing of Indignation.
business what my personal habits are" he
said with much emotion. Then, a few mo-
ments afterward, be asked the cashier:
"John, is it true that our business is suffering
from my neglect? You always speak the
truths this true?"
81 must tell you candidly, Mr.. Seyerns,"
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 balanee-sheets. We are running
behind badly, and this stage of things can
not 90 on much longer"
"And is the bank indeed justified in its re-
fusal to grant us further advanees?"
"Were you banker" said the cashier, II
think you would do just as they have done,
if a customer should keep his account over
drawn month after month as we have done"
"Well John, I'll look into the matter, and
we'll see what to do Tomorrow" said
the merchant, his first emotions of surprise
and Indignation gradually subsiding, as,
calm reflection, the stern fact became ap-
parent to his mind that there was Justice in
the bankers severe wOrds-that something
was indeed going wrong, and that his fnan-
cial situation was actually critical.
The remainder of that day and the sue
ceeding night were hours of profound medi-
tation, self-inspection and anxiety ON the part
of Mr.. Frank Severns, who had locked him
self in his private room. 1t was after mid
night when the struggle within him ended.
"I'm resolved" he exclaimed, finally, ''my
mind is made up. 1 have been a fool see
it now-and this very hour L begin a new
course of life"
The first hour Of the new year had strucl;
when the troubled merchant retired. A bat
tie of conflicting emotions and considerations
had been fought within bis breast, and, feel
ing that the better. part Of himself had at last
won the victory, he sank to rest
week of the new year had passed. the
officers of the bank of Winterdale were in
conference in their private office.
81 would say" remarked the president Of
the institution, "that Frank Severns has beer
to see me, and having giving solemn assur-
ances that he has turned over new leaf, has
given up his expensive and destructive habits
and associates, and settled down into an
earnest business life, l have concluded Il
give him another chance He is too good
man to push to the wall, so long as there i
hope of him. His disposition is all right, i
My he has manhood enough TO control him
self"
al have no faith in him." said one of tn,
directors; / have seen and heard too many
broken New Year promises and resolutions
of reform by such clever fellows, to have any
confidence in them"
And all the other members Of the board
of directors, except the president agreed with
the last speaker. They ridiculed the presi
dents faith in Severn's ability to conquer his
habits and to redeem himself as successful
business man. ats no use" said one OF
them emphatically, "the upshot of it will be
that we will lose every dollar he now owes
US and every additional dollar that you shall
advance him. 1t always turns out so, and il
willin his case"
81 will assume the responsibility in his
case" SAID the president, ''and will myself
make good to the bank every cent it may
lose by Frank Severns. / may be mistaken
in my man, but will take the risk"
And the merchant was restored to the list
of the banks customers. There had been q
long confidential interview between Severns
and the bank president on New Years day
the former thanking the latter for having
brought him to his senses, and giving strong