The Progress. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-03
JOHN DALE'S FAILURE.

JOuN .UAuE = tA1LUkE.
What q True Wife's Devotion Did
l.; for Him. ....x
John Dale was one Of the richest
men in Bondburg. He was still on
the sunny side Of forty, but gray
haired business men and -fnanciers
consulted him upon the most impor-
tant matters, and whenever it was
known that John Dale was connected
with any enterprise, the success 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 Dales, their movements, their
extravaganza, and their good fortune.
Sometimes old men shook their
heads, but every thing that Dale
souched seemed to turn into gold.
The young Spectator established a
bank, and built railroad, and took
hold of dozen other big enterprises.
The entertainments at the Dale man
sion were on scale Of magniicence
never seen before in that part of the
country. Among the invited guests
were milionaires who travelled in
special cars. It was common thing
Tor people to rush across the continent
to see the Dales.
John Dale was so prosperous and so
happy that he never paused to count
his friends and enemies. He wished
every body we'll. and he took it for
granted that his townsmen liked him.
1t was true that old Steele, the money
!iender, held himself aloof, but Dale
gave him credit for being eccentric,
and thought very little about it.
II would not be in that man shoes
Tor 5any 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
Hhinner. uglier and more wretched
hooking every day. ~ IL a-4. -s sa4s5''A q:
When business was dull in Bondburg
something always turned up to give
thestown boom. Dale was q man of
ideas, and when he saw the town lag
ging behind he was always ready with
brilliant scheme to push it forward.
Tho financial crash aof 49, was a
tesrible disaster TWAS felt not only
In the great cities but in the smaller
towns as well. In Bondburg the oldest
business houses went to the wall.
When q man is in trouble he finds
out his real friends. and enemies. The
panic struck jain Dale at bad time.
At first he was confident that he would
, come out all right. He borrowed
right and left, and made a brave effort
+, 70 push his way through. 7 He even
called on Steele. but the old usurer
told him that loan was out of the
question. 5c "s@ 'z1 Ssoss'sS .'ssIz1 s3sfs II
One day it WAS whispered that Dale
would have to 60 under, and that he
would be left several hundred thou
sand dollars in debt. That night
$herc WAS reception at his house, and
many Of the guests went simply out Of
curiosity. They. wanted to sec how
tho great 2speculatorI would look on
ihe evo of his failure. If these people
expected to see crushed man they
were disappointed. The cntertain-
.nent was the most delightful. Of the
season. Dale's bright and handsome
face showed not the slightest trace. OF
scare, and his wife Yves in her mos,
charming mood. - . ~ 80 g. ,t
They are frivolous people, said
'one Of the guests to old Steele early
Che next morning. II gave Dale credi
!. for being thoughtful man, but he
::aud his wife seemto be too light-mind
ed to appreciate the gravity Of the Sit
,uation." ,.s3@@.s@ gss1z
80 e '.They will appreciate it, to-day,
said Steele, grinlly. II have got hole
eta lot Of Dale's paper. and i am go
ing to close down You will see n,
tlaosd and MY lady come to grief. '',@e
The news of Dale's failure creatct
quite sensation, but scores Of bust
ness men remarked, that they were no
81 all surprised and that they hat
lecn looking for it all along. sts@ss55
s1L, ..And no will have nothing left,
said i merchant to Mr.. Steele ..not |,
cent will hei',a ,ft-,fTcssa-sa,,,
mo" replied Steele, !. he will b
asvorsc of -shanss a=zhsggar.- because h
wall be heels over head in debt. Their
will be meeting of the principa
creditors tomorrow, and the resul
saay land Dale in the penitentiary.
~.