Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-03-29
JOHN DALE'S FAILURE.
What a True Wife's Devotion Did
for Him.

JOnn Dale was Onc VI thc iiShoop
men in Bondburg. He was still on
the sunny side of forty, but gray
haired business men and financiers
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
touched seemed to turn into gold.
The young Spectator established n
bank, and built a railroad, and took
hold of dozen other big enterprises.
The entertainments at the Dale man.
sion were on scale of magnificencc
never seen before in that part of the
country. Among the invited guests
were millionaires who Travelled in
special cars 1t was common thing
for 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 well, and he took it for
granted that his townsmen liked him.
1t was true that old Steele, the money
lender. held himself aloof, but Dale
gave him credit for being eccentric,
and thought very little about it.
81 would not be in that mans 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, uglier and more wretched
looking every day.
When business was dull in Bondburg
something always turned up to give
the town boom. Dale was man of
ideas, and when he saw the town lag
ging behind he was always ready with
a brilliant scheme to push it forward.
The financial crash Of 49, was a
terrible disaster. 1t was felt not only
in the great cities but in the smaller
towns rs well. In Bondburg the Oldest
business houses went to the wall.
When man is in trouble he finds
out his real friends and enemies. The
panic struck jain Dale at a bad time.
At first he was confident that he would
come out all right. He borrowed
right and left, and made 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 to go under, and that he
would be left several hundred thou
sand dollars in debt. That night
there was reception at his house, and
many of the guests went simply out o.
curiosity. They wanted to see how
the great speculator would look or
the eve of his failure. If these people
expected to see crushed man they
were disappointed. The entertain.
ment was the most delightful of the
season. Dale's bright and handsome
face showed not the slightest trace o
care, and his wife was in her mos
charming mood.
"They are frivolous people, sale
one of the guests to old Steele early
the next morning. II gave Dale credi
for being a thoughtful man. but he
and his wife seem to be too light-mind
ed to appreciate the gravity of the sit
uation."
They will appreciate it to-day,
said Steele, grimly. 81 have got hole
of a lot of Dale's paper, and l am go
ing to close down. You will see m,
lord and my lady come to grief"
The news of Dale's failure created
quite sensation, but scores of bust
ness men remarked that they were no
at all surprised, and that they haC
been looking for it all along
"And he will have nothing left,
said merchant to Mr.. Steele, mot
cent will hep"
mo" replied Steele, che will b
worse eff than beggar, because h
will be heels over head in debt Their
will he. meeting of the priucipa
creditors tomorrow, and the resul
may land Dale in the penitentiary."
III will be terrible blow to Mrs
Dale" said a leading society lady
,.and !; may kill her."
This was the general run of the tai