The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-01-06

III.
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
erns, who had locked himself in his
private room. 1t was after midnight
when the struggle within him ended.
Elm resolved" he exclaimed. final
ly, "my mind is made up. | have been
a fool see it now-and this very hour
begin 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
were in conference in their private of
fee.
Il would say" remarked the Presi-
dent OF the institution, ''that Frank
Severns has been to see me, and having
given solemn assurances that he has
turned over new leaf, has given up his
expensive and destructive habits and
associates and settled down into an ear
nest business life, have concluded to
give him another chance. He is too
good man to push to the wall, so long
as there is hope of him His disposition
is all right, if only he has manhood
enough to control himself
g l have no faith in him." said one of
the Directors; Il have seen and heard
too many broken New Year promises
and resolutions of reform by such clever
fellows. to have anyconfidence in them.'
And all the other members of the
Board OF Directors, except the Presi-
dent, agreed with the last speaker.
They ridiculed the President faith in
Severns' ability to conquer his habits
and to redeem himself as successful
business man. "It's no use,n said one
OF them emphatically; ''the upshot of
it will be that we'll lose every dollar he
now owes us and every additional dol
lar you shall advance him. 1t ALWAYS
turns out SO, and it will in his case.''
6 l 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. I
may be mistaken in the man, but I'll
take the risk" .-sssss A
And the merchant was restored to
the list of the banks customers. There
had been a long confidential interview
between Severns and the bank Presi-
dent on New Years Day, the former
thanking the latter for having brought
him to his senses and giving strong as
for the future. The President
said: 81 will take your word. know
you mean just what you say. l will |
give you one month to pay the balance
due the bank and should you do that,
you may go on with us just as hereto
fore. But you must turn over the new
leaf effectually and permanently-be
And the result of the conference of
the bank officers proved how strong the
President confidence was MANY /
such condolences have been misplaced. |
Many good resolutions are being broken
Man is weak, and the
world and its temptations are strong.
All of Frank Severns old friends and
associates felt very sure that he would
all in his new resolution. The young
men ridiculed the idea, and the old
men shook their heads incredulouslv.
dis fondness for conyivial excitements
md companionship would prove too
much for him, they thought; he would
Yield to the very first temptation to
oack-slide; he will tire of tn tsmeness
ind dullness OF aquiet, steady course
'f life. OF course he will-of course"
And only a month or two of the new
7ear had elapsed when there was a ru-
nor in social circles that Frank had
fallen from grace already. His real
riends grieved to hear it, while others
Who thought more of his generosity
oward them than of his duty toward
limself, made merry over it, not dis
'uising their delight in the anticipation
# his soon again joining them In having
good times with the boys.''
g told you so," said young Flipfad-
lie; =" knew he'd hold out only week
T two. He likes fun and isn't such
ool as to join the serious familv.''
'' | told you so,' said Miss Tittletat-
lie, the daughter of one of the bank di-
eetors; my papa said it would be just
o."
g told you so,' said Deacon Harsh
" ' eff he'd a jined our church we'd
helped him to keep up, but he didn't
nd down he goes! The church he goes
, isn't worth continental as a savin'
over; it is sure road to the Internal
egins.'
g 1 told you so," said that bank Di-
ector who s. had no faith in him." 81
ave never known my theory in regard
} such fellows to faiI-once wild and !,
polish, always wild and foolish. Sure
hing. It's born and bred in them. Our
resident has now discovered his mis-
Ike" ..s.
The bank President met one of the ,,
directors in the street, and the latter !
lentioned the rumor that Frank Sew ;
ms had broken his resolution and re-
lrned to his old ways.
1T S lier' exclaimed the President, ::
idignantly. Il haven't seen him for :
lree days, but know it's lie, and the !.
lsybodies about town might be in bet :
r business than concocting and circu- :
ting SANDERS about their neighbors." :
An hour afterwards the President
sited Severns in his store and there
s judgment as to the falsity of the In
lmOr was abundantly confirmed. q