The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-01-06
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TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF.
A New Years story.

A great-hearted, broad-minded man
was Frank Severns. He was generous,
companionable and even brilliant-of
large sympathies, manly impulses and
ready wit. He was a general favorite
among the younger portion of the COM
munity 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, physical
ly, Intellectually and financially. He
was conscious of its effects, but lacked
the moral courage to resist its power.
A man of middle age. whose start in
life" had been auspicious, his more ju-
diclous friends felt grieved that sonoble
fellow, with such fair prospects be-
fore 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 whis-
perings, none of his friends or COM
panions ever made known to him their
regrets or apprehensions. They thought
they saw the rock towards which his
ship was rapidly drifting, but would
not, either by word or signal, warn him
Of the peril.
Frank Severns was merchant in the
village of Winterdale, and had been in
trade for over dozen years. One day
1t was the last day of the year-his
cashier, with an anxious, troubled look.
requested a private interview with him.
Mr.. .Severns, said the cashier, sit
Is Is my unpleasant duty to inform you
mat the bank refuses to make us any
further advances. The balance has
been against us for several weeks. and
lne PRESIDENT of the bank spoke to me
very sharply to-day"
" What does it mean? Why this
shabby treatment?' asked the mer-
chant. s-7s ~ .s r.
:, lie says he is afraid of you," said
the cashier. Il must repeat to you his
very words: +" Frank Severns,n he said.
must shut down in his extravagant
and fuinous habits if he wants to retain
,ne confidence of this bank. He is neg
ieeting his business-spends too much
oi his time and money in convivial com
pahy' and is going to the dogs as fast
=. ~ possible. Everybody is speaking of |
IL This bank can afford to tritle With |
such s, men-can't run any risks and
!, 'he sooner his balance is paid up here
Tue better, and the sooner he chances |
rl nls personal habits, the better. too
: a1se were his exact words, and he |
'pgSe o. angrhy. said the cashier,
!, ne merchant was at first utterly
au'iio with establishment, and then suc-
'eeueu feeling of Indignation,
ts none of his business or his
,anh - business what my personal hab-
NJ NJ are he said, with much emotion.
men, few moments afterwards. he
isSeu : fhe cashier: John, is it true
,a' nas our business is suffering from my
iegleetP You always speak the truth
is this true?'
-. !, must tell you candidly, Mr.. Sew
,.ns, solemnly replied the cashier,
,oa matsers are going wrong with us, as
oa yourself can see by a look at the
'ooSs and at the lass few monthly bal
,ne,e'sheets. :, We are running behind
!, ,,u,s. ns. ana this state ofthings cannot 90
IA much longer.n o.
ts AM anu Is the bank indeed justified in
. % aaes lelmsal to grant us further ad-
a., we " ere You banker" said the CASH
-, az ! th'ak you would do just as they
s'e = aooe II a, customer should keep
aon,a - aeeoant overdrawn month after
'entn' :. IN as we have done.'' +
az meIi, John, I'll look into the mat
aw sl'o ~ we u see what to do to-mor-
ons @ said the merchant, his first emo
u surprise and indignation grad