The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-31
JOHN DlLE'S FAILURE.
BY WALLACE p. REED.


suited HIM upon the most important matters,
and whenever it was known that John Dale
was connected with any enterprise, the sue
cess Of the project was assured.
Dale was lavish in his expenditures, and his
beautiful wife did not try to restrain him.
Mrs Dale outshone the younger beauties and
bellies Of the place, and her husband was proud
Of her.
In Bondburg the main staple of talk was the
l)ales, their movements, their extravaganza,
and their good fortune. Sometimes old men
shook their heads, but everything that Dale
touched seemed to turn into gold. The young
Spectator established a bank, and built q
railroad, and took hold of dozen other big
( enterprises
he entertainments at the Dale mansion
were on scale Of magnifcence never seen
before in that part of the country Among
the invited guests were millionaires who trav-
e!ed in special cars 1t was common thing
Tor people to rush across the continent to see
the Dales.
John Dale was 50 prospelous and so happy
that he never paused to count his friends and
! enemies He wished everybody well, and he
took il for granted that his townsmen liked
! him. 1t was true that old Steele, the money
lender, held himself aloof, but Dale gave linn
credit for being eccentric, and thought very
little about it.
II would not be in that man S shoes for any
thing, said Dale one day to several of his
! friends He does not know how TO enjoy
! life"
| SO Dale went ON driving fast horses and
! dazzling his neighbors with his entertainments
while old Steele grew thinner, ugier and more
! wretched looking every day.
| When business was duh in Bondburg some
a.
/ boom. Dale was a man of ideas, and when he
| saw the town tagging behind he was always
ready with brilliant scheme to push it for
ward.
The financial crash of IS was a terrible
disaster. 1t was felt not only in the great cities
but in the smaller towns as we'll. In Bondburg
the oldest business houses went to the wall
When a man is in trouble he finds out his
real friends and enemies. t4.. u.
The panic struck John Dale at lad time.
At first he WAS confident that he would come
out all right He borrowed right and left and
made a brave effort to push his way through.
He even called on Steele, but the old usurer
told him that loan was out OF the question.
One day it was whispered that Dale would
have 10 90 under, and that lie would be left
several hundred thousand dollars in debt
| That night there was a reception at his house,
and many of the guests went simply out of GU
riosity. They wanted to see how the great
Spectator would look on the eve of his fail
ure.
If these people expected to see a crushed
man they were disappointed. The entertain
ment was the most delightful OF the season.
Daes bright and handsome face showed not
the slightest trace OF care and his wife was in
her most charming mood
They are frivolous people" said one Of the
guests to old Steele early the next morning.
Il gave Dale credit for being a thoughtful
man, but he and his wifi, eem to be too light
minded to appreciate the gravity OF the situa-
ton.
I "They M appreciate it today, said Steele,
| srimly. II have got hold of lot of Dale's.
paper, and | am going to close down. You
will see my lord and my lady come to grief"
The news of Dales failure created quite
sensation, but scores of business men remarked
that they were not at all surprised, and that
they had been looking for it all along.
And he will have nothing left,' said
merchant to Mr. Steele, mot a cent will
he?"
NO replied Steele " he will be worse off
than beegar, because he will be heels over
head in debt. There will be a meeting of the
principal creditors tomorrow, aud the result
"It will be terrible blow to Mrs. Dale.
said leading society lady, "and it may Kill
her"
This was the general run of the talk about
the failnre Very little sympathy was ex-
pressed. In hard times sympathy is a very
scarce commodity.
On this same morning John Dale took his
wife into the library, after breakfast, and told
her ALL
Mrs Dale was silent for moment, Then she
nut her arms around her husband neck and
kisSed him
AT least we love eaol. other" she said
But" explainednae in some amazement
''you do not understand. We must give up
our house. There will be nothing left My
creditors may pursue me all my life, and there
is nothing but poverty before me-
Mrs Dale gave him another kiss
do sou think | care" she said.
"NIy dear" said Dale, and his voice
trembed 81 must tell you the worst My
success made me reckless, and if some of my
creditors push me To the last extreme they will
he able to send me to prison, although had no
criminal intention in my transactions with
them
NO matter what befalls you said the
beautiful woman by his side, Il will stand by
you, and suffer with you, and wait for better
days"
Then for the FIRST time, John Dale shed a
few tears. Later in the day he went to his Of
flee and devoted his attention to his business
affairs
"Nou win see him beg for mercy" said old
Steele to the meeting of creditors. q know
these eNtrayaSnt snendthriitS. Dale will
come here and cry and plead. You must be
firm with him
just then the object OF all this talk entered
the room.
Hello Steele, he said, with his customary
carelessnesS. "Wen gentlemen. here we arc.
Now, let us see what can be done about this
natter
Old Steele glared at Dale, and the others
looked at him in establishment.
Dale did not look like a man who had been
crushed 10y some great misfortune. lie looked
younger, brighter aud handsomer than ever,
and there was a ring of triumph in his tones.
pm that fellow" said old Steele. L
wonder what is up now
Gentlemen said Dale, before proceeding
TO business / desire TO say few words
Instantly there was dead silence in the