Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-12
A SPECIAL PROVIDENCE.

A SPECIAL PROVIDENCE.
The theory of special providence will
account for one little matter connected
with my personal history that nothing else
will. It's nothing of a story, it's only a
simple fact but as it had quite an impor-
tant bearing on my life it is something |
am not likely to forget. 1t was during my
first wear as cashier of a bank. 1t was a
memorable year In one other respect, for
| had gained the consent of the one dear
girl on earth to make me the happlest
of men.
So, with good position, good health,
correct habits, the confidence and good
will of my fellow-meD, and the love of the
sweetest and dearest of girls, | ought to
have been happy and | was. There was
only one obstacle to the perfect consumma-
ton Of my happiness, and that was the
fact that | was poor, and must of necessity
wait a year before | could ask Nell to
share my lot with me. But Nell under
stood this and was content to wait.
In fact, it didn't occur to either of US
that we had any alternative but to wait;
so we were philosophical over the matter
and happy. One evening, as / sat In
my room cutting the pages of a magazine
! was going to take to Nellie, | heard a
quick rap at my door, and opening it | adj
mitted my old friend Bob Bowen. Bob
was an energetic, dashing enterprlslng
Young fellow, with a good reputation In
every way, and remarkably clear-headed on
business matters; so, when he remarked IN
his brusque, off-hand way, Tom, I've got
a good thing for you, why, | prlcked up
my ears at once, prepared to accept the
fact that he really had.
''Now, Tom" said he, drawing his
chair up close to me, I'll be brief, for we
have no time to lose. A friend of mine
has the option of buying farm, on which
available vein of coal has been discovered,
for the pitiful sum of 5000. His option
runs out tonight at II o'clock. He has
purchaser ready to take his land off his
hands tomorrow morning at o clock tor
the snug little sum of 10000. You see
the party thinks he already owns the land.
Now my friend has been delayed In get
ting his money He won't get it until to-
morrow morning-too late to do him any
good. So YOU see he has got to have S.
600 tonight
But what is this to me?" said |. Il
haven't got any little $4,000 to help him
with.
sOf course not, !" said Bob; but here,
my boy, my friend offers to divide with
me- what he makes In this transaction If
will help him out, for he hates like the
deuce to be beaten at the eleventh hour
Now. / want to help him, and if you Will
help me in a way that you can I'll divide
with YOU. and before breakfast tomorrow
morning you will have the snug sum of
st, $50. which may have the effect of
hurrying forward a certain happy day
eh?" and he nudged me playfully in the
ribs.
Every we'll" said l, ''conceding that
would be very agreeable little sum to
possess, | am as much in the dark as ever
as to the help can render
But Tom, " interrupted Bob, ''let me
impress one fact upon your mind. The
money is wanted only until tomorrow
morning at 8 o'clock precisely. That IS
Just as certain to occur as the sun Is to rise.
| saw the man who is to pay the money,
saw the money. Now, Tom, you know
am your friend. and wouldn't do any
thing that is not perfectly straight and
honorable. Tom, you can have the S6,25O
without doing any one any harm or per-
petrating any wrong.
''You mean. " said coldly, for l was be-
ginning to get at the drift of the scheme,
THAT | could steal this money from the
bank.
NOuSGuSG. lOIll. interrupted LUZ,
''you insult me by supposing that | could
hint at such a suggestion. Listen to my
plan now You know very well, Tom, that,
If you should say to the board of directors
tomorrow morning. my friend here wants
to borrow s.. 900, and | will indorse his
note for him, they wouldn't hesitate a
moment In letting me have it. Now, |
want to borrow IS, 900, and | can't wait
until the bank opens tomorrow morning.
| want it and must have it tonight. You
can sign a note with me for the amount;
we viii 90 to the bank and get the money,
leaving the note in the place of 1t. In the
morning before the bank opens the note
will be taken up: nothing done that has
not been straight, buslnessllke, and honor
able; but you will be richer by $3.50.
Now, if you can find any moral flaw in
this simple little matter of business you
have sharper perceptIve powers than |
have.
Bob's reasoning began to look plausible.
1t was quite true. as he said. that the board
of directors would willingly loan him
$1,000: but, after all, this business was a
little irregular. and l didn't feel quite
right about it.
Time is passing" said Bob, glancing
at his watch, land if you can favor me
in this little matter of business | must try
elsewhere. | am going to have the money
tonight sure. and if you won't help me
there are others who will. Why, Tom, >
said he. earnestly, ''how can you hesitate
one moment? You have my positive as
surance that everything Is all right.
only ask you to do tonight what you
wouldn't hesitate a moment IN dong to-
morrow. Then think of your duty tc
yourself-to Nell
Say no more, !" said l; you shall have
the money!
Bob and | hurried to the bank, and
after going through the form of drawing
up and signing the necessary note, Invent
to the vault to get the money A queer
nameless feeling crept over me as | ap