The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-07-29

not Know winch way 10 Curn. Ao was
too philosophical and self-relianS by ma
ture to be overwhelmed with grief at
the blow; but could not deny TO my
self that his future was anything but
smiling.
A few days brought all the particulars.
Messrs. Felter, Haskins & Co., import
ers and commission merchants in dry
goods, had been specializing heavily for
several years. Halls father was, during
his life, partner in the house; and,
after his death, his heir had allowed the
money to remain in the firm, though he
carelessly neglected to keep any watch
upon the disposition made of it. For
some time it yielded him large returns;
but, in an unlucky hour, new project
of gigantic proportions was undertaken
by the firm. This came near failing,
and required additional investments,
to provide for which risky speculation,
quite foreign to the legitimate business
of the house, was entered into. The
failure of this latter, and the consequent
defeat of the former, brought the whole
establishment down with crash, which
left not only the partners, but many of
their creditors also, ruined. Mr.. Felter,
the senior member of the firm, being
man of strong mercantile scruples, and
entertaining the old.fashioned ideas of
commercial honor, blew his brains out.
Haskins, q more venal character, ap-
propriated few thousand dollars saved
from the wreck, and sailed for Europe.
This act precluded the possibility of the
payment of the ten per cent. mentioned
by Mr.. Scammon (Hal Rivers's attor-
ney) in his telegram.
"There is no use in going to New
York." said Hal, when he heard of the
precise nature of his loss. 81 have
only few relatives there, and they
would turn up their noses at me. I shall
stay here, and 60 to work. If I had only
followed my fathers example, and gone
into counting-house, 1 should be quail
flied to take good position now. As
it is, must enter into competition with
the men of Drawn and muscle! Fortu-
nately my shoulders are broad, and my
thews tough. Won't I look well on q
ladder? Won't a hod be becoming to
me?''
The time I had allowed myself in
which to visit the Mammoth Cave ex-
pired, and was forced to return to the
metropolis. I paid the expenses of
both at the hotel, and saw my friend
comfortably installed in an economical
boarding house, before left. He sold
all articles of luxury-his silver-mounted
dressing-case, his pistols, his most ex-
pensive clothing, and, in fact, every
thing that poor man ought not to
have-to pay his board until he could
find employment.
On the day that I left, he had just
agreed to enter the service of house.
painter, at the moderate salary of six
dollars q week.
"But what do you know about paint
ing?" asked.
ssNothing, but I shall have learned
the business before my employer finds
me out. You know 1 am great on fancy
lettering; and if has he any small sign
painting to do, will astonish him by
my talent"
A man with the amount of pluck thus
displayed can not but get along. So I
babe Hal farewell, without any misgiv-
ings for his success.
"Good. bye, old boy. I prophesy that
you will be a millionaire some day."
"Come and see me when I do, won't
you? I'll make you a present of cor
ner lot or two. Till then, fare ye well!'