Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-09-06
Wall Street World.
CHAPTER Xv.
THE nrAvY Trees rnrpLr

CHAPTER XIV.
II cav TREES TopPLE
On the morning of the day which brought
the dow nfalI Of Gricsmann and his inloisers,
Norcross and Cieerskeigh. with the Summit,
whose funds they had m-isappropriated.
Jameson came To the co~unting-room I'M
usually cheerful. lis anxiety respecting his
little property was relieved, for he thought
the monetary crisis was past, and that
thencesostil afsiis would imprAve. The
cleaf, Tracing air Of the morning had its full
influence oysI. his sensitive nature, and he,
Tor lie tine, forgot the universal distress.
Bat the thermometer e llrapidiy as he canght
the expression which the face of lisenployer
wore. Mr.. Sleavin, of the house of S.eayin
IL Co., was usually a reserved, silent man,
lin busiuess almost a machine, honest both
from instinct and habit, and proud, in his
quiet way, of his position and of his stainless
name. lie had a wife and daughter, and
therefore was presumed 10 nave affections.
but those whom he met in the market never
thought Of him, save as the systematic mer-
chant. Well as Jameson knew him, bein :
his confidential clerk, he never had seen more
than the case in which the buying, selling,
and note paying machinery was incased. He
respected the evident integrity and worth Of
the head Of the house, but never dreamed of
a different feeling; he could as easily nave
persuaded himself into cherishing an aifec-
ton for the counting house clock.
This morning, Mr.. Sleavin's face wore an
unusually sieepless, anxious look. The man
IF routine was but a man, after all, and, in
his distress, he longed for some intelligent,
friendly sympathy. Jameson recognized the
mute appeal, but, from long habits of reti-
eence, he was at a loss how to approach his
stately chief. Determined, however, to give
an opportunity to speak, if he chose,
Jameson asked alter the news, the days
failures. and the prospects OF business. TIE
merchant needed only a word, and broke out
at once
"Prospects there is no prospect but ruin. If
a whirlwind would bury the city, or a confla-
grafton cave it a heap of ashes, it would be
better for all of us"
"But don't you think the darkest time has
past?7
Not at all; the pressure win continue until
scores more are brought down. Better fail
at once than live in dread Of it. Look at tbs
bales of goods in our -lofts-goods which no.
body viii buy and nobody can pay for.
And our acceptances have been given 10 tie
manufacturers for them-acceptances that
are maturing daily. Up to this time | have
taken up all our paper, as it became due; but
God knows how the next payments are to be
mada.n
II had not thought of that"
"The house of Sleavin q Co. has never
known dishonor-"
i. The merchant wiped his spectacles-but IL
was the eyes that were dim, not the glasses.
His lips quivered and his breath came hard,
as lie continued
"8ut the time has come; the house must 60
down.
Il hope not" said Jameson, fervently.
Can nothing be doneq'
Nothing. Every resource has been used.
The banks won't discount; and / suppose
they can't; they are fully as weak as their Gus
TONER'S
II don't nov but the offer may be useless,
contemplate. even; but | have a small sum-,
in good notes, that may be available"
The merchant shook his head.
"Whatever it is, you are welcome to it.
Perhaps ten thousand dollars"
"Ien thousand dollarsi' exclaimed Mr..
Sleavin, you have that sums'
"Yes, the little property that was my
fathers. Let me go and get the notes, and
see if | can't get some money upon them"
Mr.. Sleavin rose and took the clerks hand
with a heartiness that astonished him.
"God bless you, Jameson" he said. ~
may be saved after all. Ten thousand dol
lars will be enough for the present pinch.
and before the next acceptance is due some
relief may come"
"Don't speak of thanks. I'll get the notes
in a moment"
Tears stole silently down the u~naccustomed
burrows: the gateway of feeling was open,
but the tremulous lips refused to speak. Be
fore he could revover his self-possessics1.
Jameson was gone. Mr.. Sleavin tried to
read the newspapers, but the print before his
eyes conveyed no idea to his preoccupicd
brain. Then his thoughts turned to his
beautiful villa in the suburbs, and he remem-
bered how that morning his daughter stepped
lightly into the brough2,n with him at the
back piazza, rode down the winding path
between the evergreen-hedges, and, after
giving him a kiss, sprang out when they
reached the gate. He knew, that, when
H. returned in the evening, he should find
her in her place under the great horse-chest-
Int tree, at the foot of the hill, ready to ride
to the house. How could he meet her with
Che news he would have to caIryl-how
crush the spirit of his invalid wifef Humili-
atnlg as the idea of failure was wien consii-
cred in his relations with the mercantile
world, tie thought of Tome, with its changed
feelings and circumstances, ana the probable
deprivation Of habitual indulgences, was far
more poignant.
1t was not long before Jameson returned.
but with a less buoyant air. Mr.. Sleavin's
spirits fell instantly. IL see it all, said he,
"you can't do anything"
"Ierhaps | may, yet. The notes / spoke Of,
though due to me, are in the hands of Mr..
N9rcfos secretary of the Summit Insurance
com any. | have been there, and cannot
see ltim. His shutting himself up, | am
AFRAID, todes me no good, However, Fi 90
alaii an hour hence"
@.So harm iii trying. Did you inlorsc the
notes ,h4n!h
me. hey were merely left with Him for
c0nve III nee sake, as he was my agent in
loania the money"
"l8sl he can't make away with them
lit / Jameson went to see Mr.. N~9rcross.
Iuc 0,.ii no better success. The third time
he ut uraly spoke in "a peremp,ofy t5ne,
a q, .Nngl his name and business. sa! he
must and woud see Mr.. Norcr q. s. i the
io g. LEt tNiht SFciItI bils ir tttA ! IAt
lr5m . cc ocb, animated, IN a na.i "a & eii-
tial tone. tl1t he would do well 30 ,s as.
Spoiset, rae broker, about item. ,3sens
with aj3r,h aston, Jameson walged ai ty
to Slun,o.S office. At the 10 le .i.s
Trainar com ny out with exult4 ol:ll ve s
feature Within stood Trilllpn. lis ls.,snp
astride than usdal, his chin more confidently
settled over his collar, and the heal of his
cane pressed against his mouth. As jamie
son entered, Sponsor ceased the conversation
and looking up said, blandly, any young
friend, can do anything for youg1 Trillion
at the same time turned his eyes aud pointed
the long eyebrow at him inquiringly.
Il hope So" was the reply. "Have you
some notes in your possession payable to
Robert JamieSonF'
"Who asks the question9'-very civilly.
"My name is JAMESON
"Ahl Ar. Norcross is your agent, l pre-
sumef'
eyes. left the notes with him"