The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-07-08
Seletteo Storp.
Debtor and Creditor.


percentage. Don't your"
Yes, if we wind him up"
"That we shall do, of course. Why
let him go on? 1t will take him two or
three years to get through, if at ALL"
IF he can get through in two or
three years, / shall certainly be in favor
of letting him 60 on. Times have been
rather hard and business dull. But
everything looks encouraging now"
4" / don't believe in extensions, Mr..
Highland. The surest way when a man
gets into difficulties is to wind him up,
and secure what you can. Ten chances
to one, if you let him go you will lose
every cent"
have granted extensions in sew
eral instances, Mr.. Elder" replied his
companion, and obtained, eventually,
my whole claim except in single case"
It's always a risk. l 60 by the
motto, A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush,'" returned Elder. I" i
am always ready to take what can get
to-day, and never trust to the morrow.
That is my way Of doing business"
But do you not think the debtor en-
titled to some considerations"
"How?o with look of surprise.
" He is a man of like passions with
ourselves"
81 don't know that understand you
exactly, Mr.. Highland"
Mr.. Carlton has domestic relations,
as have you and l."
81 never doubted it. But what of
that?'
" If we break him up in business the
evil will not visit him alone. Think of
the sad effect upon his family"
{" In trade we never consider mans
family relations"
" But should we not, Mr.. Elder?
Should we not regard the debtor as a
man?n
" AS man who owes us, and is I'M
able to pay us what is due; but in no
other light" returned Mr.. Elder, with
slight curl of the lip.
"There we differ widely"
"And will continue to differ, l mag
inc. Good morning, Mr.. Highland"
The two men parted.
An hour previous Mr.. Carlton, about
whom they had been conversing, sat
with his family a wife and three daugh-
tiers, at the breakfast table. He tried
to converse in his usual cheerful man
ACl Dul lOO llCdNl Il NClSlJ NdS uDOu
his heart. There had come a crisis in
his affairs, which he feared would not
be passed without ruin to himself. If
the effects of his misfortune would not
reach beyond his store and counting
room-if upon his head alone would
fall the fragments of broken fortune
he would not have murmured But
the disaster could not stop there; it
would extend even to the sanctuary of
his home.
On the day previous he had called on
few of his creditors and asked for an
extension. If this were not given him
it would be impossible for him to keep
on longer than a few weeks. The spirit
in which most of the creditors had re-
ceived the unexpected announcement
that he was in difficulties gave him
little hope. He was to have another
interview with them during the day.
From that, as it would exhibit the re-
suit of nights reflection upon the
minds of his creditors, he would be able
to see clearly his chances of being sus-
tanned in business. He awaited the
hour with nervous anxiety. When it
arrived, and the few creditors called in
had assembled, he saw little in their
faces to give him hope. The first who
spoke out plainly was Mr. Elder.
d" gentleman" he said, firmly, /" am
opposed to all extensions. If a man
cannot pay as he goes, l think he had
better wind up"
s. If all do not agree in this matter it
will be no use to attempt extending
Mr.. Cartoons time" remarked one of
the creditors, who thought and felt as
did Elder, but was not willing to come
out so plainly.
''That is very true,'' said third.
" A partial extension will be of no use. Z"
The heart of poor Mr.. Carlton almost
ceased to beat.
Have you any objection to retiring
for few moments?" said Mr.. Highland
to the debtor.
81 will withdraw, certainly" re-
turned Mr.. Carlton, and he left tie room.
My own view, gentlemen" said
Mr.. Highland, " is that we ought to
grant all that is asked Mr.. Cartoons
business is good, and he will get over
his present difficulties easily if we as
sist him little. We should be lust.
as man toward man; and this / do
not think we should be in this case un-
less we consider Mr.. Carlton as well as
ourselves. He is an honest man, and
an honest man in difficulties is always
entitled to consideration
'This is all very well; but when a
man gives his note, payable at certain
day, he ought to be very sure that he
will be able to take it up. Creditors are
entitled to some consideration as well
as debtors. The cry of poor debtor
is soon raised, but who, / wonder, thinks
of the poor creditor? 1, for one, am
not prepared to extend"
This was said by Elder.
s. AS for me-" spoke up another, Z"
take but one view of matters like this.
If | think will do better by renewing
am ready to do SO; if, by winding up
the party now, can do better, 90 for
winding up. have confidence in Carl
toms integrity. l believe he means
well. But can he get through? That
is the question"
81 believe he cam" returned Mr..
Highland.
And doubt il, ;" returned Mr.. Elder
The efforts of Mr.. Elder to efface the
impression the words of Mr.. Highland
had made proved in vain. 1t was agreed
that the debtor should receive the ex.
tension he asked. When informed OF
i l