Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-03-22
CAMPFIRE STORIES.
PAYABLE ON DEMAND.


dinary Run.
Thore are so many facts in this sketch
that 1t will not do to use real names.
Smith and Jones were business men in
small way in Atlanta, just before the
war. Both came from Northern State,
and the two were good friends.
One day in the early part of 'sixty-one,
Smith remarked that he needed thou
sand dollars for a short time.
"For how long?" asked Jones.
Perhaps only few days" replied
Smith.
81 can let you have it." said the other,
''but may want it very SOON"
"That's all right" responded Smith,
'1et me have it and it shall be paid back
the day you demand it.v
Jones went home and returned in a
few minutes with the money, all of it in
twenty dollar gold pieces.
''Never mind about note" he said.
Gas 1T is payable on demand, you shall
have it without interest"
His friend thanked him heartily, and
every thing was satisfactory to both
creditor and debtor.
The following week, Smith took trip
southwark. His absence was prolonged
and when he returned, the war had
opened in earnest.
Those were exciting times, and when
Smith and Jones met, there was plenty
to talk about besides business matters.
The debt was not forgotten, but the
two men regarded it in very different
light. Confederate money was the only
currency, and it was not worth half as
much as gold.
Smith secretly exulted over this fact,
and Jones in quiet way was despond-
ent.
Months rolled on until some two years
had passed.
In the meantime the friends saw less
of each other, although they remained
on good terms. One day, however, they
had words about business matter, and
Jones blurted out:
81 wish you would pay me what you
owe me!'
He regretted it the moment he had
said it, but 1t was too late.
Smith smiled peculiarly disagreea-
BILE smile.
"Let mo see," he said, lone thousand
dollars, without interest, payable on de-
mand. Strange you have not asked for
it before.''
He knew we'll enough that his creditor
was afraid of being paid in a deprecated
currency.
He thrust his hand into his pocket
and pulled out a roll of bills. Counting
out ten one hundred dollar notes, he
said:
There's your money-much obliged" !"
"Confound you!" shouted his compan-
ion, lit was gold l let you have. Pay
me back in the same. You know that
these rags will not near pay the debt"
Il know this" said Smith, serenely
THAT you are refusing Confederate
money, and showing preference for the
currency of our enemies. feel that it
is my duty to call on the commander of
the post and report you as a disloyal
citizen"
Would you do that?" asked the
other.
''It is my duty" was the stern reply.
Jones picked up the money and en-
deavored to conceal his rage.
at is all right, l reckon" he said.
"In war times some must win and some
must lose"
Just so," was the answer, 81 am glad
you take sensible view of it. don't
want to report you"
Jones kept his mouth shut. He knew
that he had made a narrow escape. A
refusal to take Confederate money had
ruined and imprisoned more than one
citizen.
After this incident the two continued
to speak and transact business with each
other. Apparently the debt was thing
of the past.
When Sherman's troops took posses
sion of the city there was social up
heaval for time.
Smith and Jones had remained, but
the former found it difficult to convince
the invaders that he was Unionist
while the latter having found a brother
on the staff of q prominent General, was
in high favor.
An order was issued to pull down
Smiths residence and use the material
in building cabins for the soldiers.
The unfortunate man almost wept.
He met Jones and told him about it.
Great pity" said Jones, your house
must be worth fully $1,000"
at is" groaned Smith, land now it is
to be destroyed, and l can not help my
SELF Say, your brother is on General
Blanks staff. Can't you use your in
huence?"
Jones grayely shook his head.
''The fact is" he said, "the way you
treated me about my gold"
'oh, you haven't forgotten that'
crisd Smith, 81 was bothered at the
time and hardly knew what l was doing.
always intended to make it right"
Thank you" was the cool response,
81 have never been uneasy. / deter
mined long ago to collect the debit"
Smith shivered when he saw his
friends expression.
Come" he said, suppose fix that