Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-12-25

testament, adversely is the blessing of
the new he added, quoting one of his
| favorlte essays; (which carrieth the
greater benediction? I have often
thought Of that in trouble"
cit shall be our present hope and
consolation" she exclaimed, ''and we
will never let the thought OF it de-
part"
CHAPTER III.
Strengthened by his wlfe's support
and resignation John Landor left on
the succeeding morning; and, entering
the office. awaited with calm and tran
gull heart the first disclosure of his
tate. 1t was not long before it came.
After he had written few letters, and
arranged some papers which related to
his present state, a stranger entered,
and introducing himself in John Lam
doris presence, laid upon the table
four notes which had matured that
day. John Landor regarded him at
tentively for a few seconds, and, as he
withdrew his gaze, a strange and bit
ter smile escaped him.
"Your check, please, for twenty
seven thousand five hundred dollars"
The time had come! For moment
John Landor hesitated, and then,
turning pale, with q sudden and pain.
full effort, said: "It is my painful duty
to inform you that I am unable to
honor them. AS my failure is not yet
reported l must myself declare it now.
I 7 ~ 49,
ticular moment, but there are a few
assets still remaining to my credit,
which | will make available without
delay. Tomorrow morning I will
send you full sta tement OF my fairs,
and, l trust, arrange them on q salts
factory basis as regards their future
settlement. Meanwhile, allow me to
express my deep concern for the loss
which this disclosure will inflict onyou;
and If can in any way allay the ap-
prehensions it has caused / shall only
be too thankful to do so. My books
and papers are at your inspection"
''But it is hardly credible!" ex-
claimed the stranger, with look of
wonderful surprise. "Your notes
have been endorsed by some of the
first houses; and + was assured that
your credit stood as high as that of
any other corresponding firm in the
city,"
So it did, said Landor, faltering.
'No notes OF mine were ever presented
for payment that were not honored
on the spot"
'Then to what do you attribute
your inability to pay in the present
instance?' asked the stranger, look
ing more and more puzzled.
"Partly to the failure of house in
which I was largely interested, and
whose notes hold to-day" John
Lander answered, with a sigh; "but
chiefly to the depreciation of my own
stock. which since the recent failures
in England, have been obliged to sell
at loss"
'Then it is only temporary en-
barrasment?" inquired the stranger.
81 trust it u.s." replied John Lander,
calmly; "although I have incurred
enormous LOSSES"
Nevertheless there is hope" said
the stranger, cheerfully. GAS far as T
am concerned the loss will not effect
my credit, and after time the notes
will doubtless recover their face value.
l, for one, can watt He was looking
closely at John Langdor all the time,
as it struck with some awakened
thought or sudden recollection.
Their eyes met.
"Pardon me-" said the stranger,
thinking he had given John Landor
pain; "but your strong resemblance
to valued friend of mine, whom l
had not seen for sixteen years, made
me forget for the moment. The re-
semblance is extraordinary, he re-
sumed, something quite extraordi-
nary. May I inquire whether you
have ever served in the army? 1t is
no common motive which ,mpels me
to ask, believe me-"
John Lander started; and after
hesitating for moment, responded,
eyes"
The stranger regarded him all the
closer.
"And you were in Washington on
the MI ht Of the 31st December, 1862"
II really cannot recollect-you
must be mistaken, sir" returned
John Lander, avoiding a. direct;reply.
"Pray let us talk of other matters"
"We will in time, replied the strang-
er; "but first OF all, answer my ques-
ton. You were in Washington on the
night of the 31st December, 1892"
II believe l was" John Landor an
swered, endeavoring to conceal his
agitation.
'And you played billiards witha
brother officer-and, in his after dis
tress, returned him the money you
had won-saving him from future mis-
cry end despair"
II did," replied John Landor.
"And it was one of the proudest and
happiest moments of my fife."
Grasping John Lander by. the hand,
the stranger exclaimed, in voice
scarce audible from emotin, II am
Lewis Peterborough And before
John Lander could reply he siezed up
on the notes, and tearing them in a
hundred pieces, threw them in the fire.
''There! the debt is paid" he ex-
claimed, '''and I am thankful that it
is in my power to render you some
service in return, my noble-hearted old
fellow" And he rung his hand once
more.
"Mr. Marlborough, sold John Lam
dor, II knew you the very moment
you entered-and Heaven knows l
wished you to remain in ignorance of
our acquaintance. am still your
creditor, although-pomting to the
fire as he spoke-you have destroyed
the written proof of my Indebtedness
to YOU"
'But I am rich," said Lewis Fair
borough, with sparkling 'eyes. land
part, at least, of my acquired wealth
| owe to YOU. Your generous conduct