Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-13

Mr., Paul Brown, jobher in groceries,
was in II bad way financially. The new
year coming on, bills TO paw, and three of
his most trusted customers just ftied. 1t
hooked pretty dark. Mr.. Brown had
Struggled long and faithfully to bull up n
good business; he was now getting along
in years; WAS three score years old ut his
last birthday; he was honored and re-
sp' ct,d by all who had dealings with
him; he had gone on in his snccess with
the love and fear of God in his heart, and
now he must go under. His heaviest
creditor was n man who never ",ccomo-
dated anybody. lie could not hope for
any ex ension Of time from th,t quarter,
and even If he had Obtained such favor,
it was only putting off the catastrophe,
and he saw no way of averiiDg it entirely.
Never in bis life had Paul Brown been
50 nearly discouraged. lie had been q
man always ready TO help others, and
now in he time of his extremity he could
think Of no one who wouId help him, He
had pray ch over the after, and though
he knew hat in some way his prayers
w uih be answered, he could see no signs
of IN inim, diate rescue. He had come
AN assignment and 90 into bankruptcy.
Ii seemed Sal ending 10 an honest and
faithful business life.
1t rained-a Il cold fine. wnlry rain-and
Mr. Browns mind was in harmony with
the weather The world seemed chilly to
him lie sat by his desk and gazed into
the Office CRATE. where the fire was burn
ing low, and thoughts:
Il m like that fire. I've burned the
best of ms years, and there is nothing left
but asEes-nothipg but ashes.
He was so wrapped in thought that he
did not notice that some one had entered
the Office, until he heard voice saying,
"Mr. Brown, you seem to be in troub-
le."
lie looked up and saw one of his custo-
mcrs. grocer, John Gottleib, who had
been faithtulness itself in paying his bills.
Yes, am in trouble, "sad Mr.. Brown.
"lIow did you hear of it, Mr.. Gotteib?"
oh, efrry one is shpeaking of it, and
cltry one is sorry. fought, Mr. Brown,
| might help you nit it,
Mr.. Brown looked up in amaz ,ment.
He had no special acquaintance with
John Goltleib; they certainly could not
be rerkoned friends, as the world counts
friendship Mr.. Brown looked in.o the
honest round face of the German grocer,
and said, smllingly,
Il N afraid not, Mr. Gottleib owe a
good deal of money, and haven't much
to pay with; I've had good deal against
me in The way of failures lately
Yes, | know it. How much money do
YOU need, Mr.. Brownp haf leedle in
The bank, might lend it to YOU"
But you might want better security
than | can give, or more interest than l
cou undertake 10 pay"
II would take your note, Mr.. Brown, at
de usual rate. How much do you want?"
'Oh, il is II good large sum. do not
ihink anything less than $4,000 would
he Up me much"
"So-ohr exclaimed Mr.. Gottleib, "dat's
, lot of money; but vas prosperous, an
| haf known you all along, und haf
heard only good tngs about you, und if
800, 900 is all dat you want. und if you gif
me your word dat de amount will let you
20 on, could let you haf it, say for one
ear, oder fund, dat is, or five. / schpeak
German sometimes, ween forget. You
' Il better business man dan |, Mr..
Brown; tink you make more money
nit my $4,000 dan l can. You shall
make me your note, ] shall give you no
money"
Tears began 10 come into Mr.. Browns
eyes. lie was manly man, but he could
not keep them back. Surely tho Lord
lad come to his rescue. Here was a man
Utmost stranger, raised up to help him.
1t was strange, but the ways of the Lord
,re past finding out. He grasped the
sturdy Germans hand, and tried to thank
him, but the words choked him; his
heart was indeed in his mouth.
After little while Paul Brown regained
1is composure, the details of the loan
we're arranged, and that very day his
,reditors knew that MIR. Brown had tided
lis difficulties, and would 60 on as usual.
There were plenty of congratulations, and
many OF them came from men who had
oddly turned their backs the day before.
And now, said Mr.. Brown to Gotlleib,
tell me how you came to help mep You
,nly knew me by reputation.
"But | knew you vas in trouble, und
inow you by reputation; and ven vas Il
10Y ! Promised never to see anybody
reubled without trying to get dem out OF
t. You see somebody helpin' me out of
rouble was vat gave me n start in life.
t was a stranger, ven l vas boy, about
ifieen yeals old, and l vas working for
I'D Dumbkopf, and it vas a day just like
his, and vent out wild fifteen pounds of
,rinded coffee, und de bag broke, and
le--"
"Was you that boy?'
"Yes. vas dat boy"
'And am that man." exclaimed Mr..
Brown.
You vas! you vas! On, dat vas
,reat time for me; you vas my best friend.
f l had not met you. and you had not
lelped me, should have left Dumbkopfs
md if | had left dere, den shouldn'
AVE gone on wild him, den should not
laf learned the biznezz, den he would not
AVE taken me into biznezz, den l should
lot haf bought it out when de old man
lied. Und now have de biznezz ten
ears, und make much money; and
lways remem ber dat day,ven it rained just
ike To-day, und vas in trouble. and you
anne along like an angel out of de vedder,
md got me out of trouble, und promise
nil my whole heart dat when see any
,ody in trouble dat would help dem out,
md always KEEP my word. Und SO ven
heard you vas in trouble, said, Hans
Iottlieb dere is man in trouble; he is a
.ood man und an honest man, und why
on't you keep your promiseP' Und you
as dat man; you have made my fortune;
vas in trouble like everything"
Well, that's all of it except the moral,
nd that you'll find in the book of Ecclias.
ps In the l1th chapter and first verse, and
be words of the moral are as true to-day
s they were when they were first written.
There is little more-but it would
ardly belong to the story, after all-if
ou want to know it you'll have to In
ulre of Gottlieb & Brown. the great
,holesalc grocers; It's only the history of
leir prosperous partnership.-1he Lever.
Camphor is made in Japan in this way;
flor q traa 10 fallad IN tha earih IL ia cut |