The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-11-18
heb FATHERS VICTIM.
A STORY OF
WESTERN LIFE
By
THOMAS P. MONFORT.
THOMAS P. MONFORT.
CHAPTER XVI.

delayed so long, but it could not be
helped. pleaded with my friend Mills
to make an exception of your case, on
account of your sick wife, and bring
you in before your turn, but Mr.. Mills
is very conscientious and systematic in
his business affairs, and he refused to
do it. Said perhaps some Of the others
were in as close places as you were, etc.
However, now that you are here, I hope
possible and let you 60"
John murmured his thanks for all
this interest on the part of Pearson,
then turning to Mills said:
81 suppose you are aware Of the OBJ
iect of my visit?"
Certainly said Mills. 'You want
money, and the first thing to do is to
list the property you propose to give as
security. Just call over the articles
while note them down."
John named over the articles to-
gether with description Of each one,
including his two horses, the harness.
wagon, plows and other farm property.
'tNow," asked Mills when the list
was complete, ''how much money do
you expect to get on these?'
81 haven't made up my mind to any
particular sum-" said John. 81 only
know that I have given you in every
cent of three hundred dollars worth
Of property"
Three hundred" repeated Mills.
.tCould you sell it for that amount?"
'sNo, I suppose I could not undes
present circumstances" John admitted.
'sNo, you could not. But could you
sell it for two hundred dollars"
''Not at present
'sNo, nor you couldn't sell it for one
hundred, could you""
81 expect not
ssNor fifty?"
sT don't know. Perhaps couldn't.
But remember that is no criterion OF
werth. Nothing sells now but food"
'.But it is criterion Of worth, MIR.
Green" Mills corrected. 'It IS a critic
rion of value because thing is only
worth what it will sell for. We govern
our loans by what the property would
fetch if it was sold to-day, and not what
it might be worth if times were good
and money plenty. Ordinarily your
things might sell for three hundred dol
lars. They might have been worth that
5 last year or they may be worth it next
year, but that has nothing to do with
the present time. We're dealing with
the present, and III make you loan on
the present value Of your property. I'll
advance twenty-five dollars on it.
ssGreat heaveps.' cried JOHN. Only
twenty-five dollars
s'Only twenty-five dollars" Mills re-
peated. 81 wouldn't do that if your
friend and my friend, Mr.. Pearson,
hadn't interceded in your behalf.
would rather not take the business at
all, and but for him wouldn't offer
to advance more than ten dollars. But
If you want to take twenty-five you can
have it. Please decide quickly, though,
for my time is precious, and others are
in waiting"
81 can't accept so small an amount"
John replied, promptly. 81 can do
better. Z viii let it go at fifty, but no
less"
ssThen our business is at an end," said
Mills, as he arose and started toward
the door.
.sHold on, Mills Pearson called. II
want to speak with you moment"
Mills and Pearson withdrew to the
opposite side of the room and talked for
some time in low tones. John did not
hear q word that passed between them,
but he felt assure, that Pearson was
arguing for him, and when at last they
came back and sat down he was assured
Of this, for Mills said at once:
ssMr. Green, am going to make an
exception of your casc.and advance you
fifty dollars. I wouldn't 90 it for an
other man on earth. and ought not do
it for YOU. 1t is taking q great lSk,
ard besides it is scttinga bad precedent
However, Mc. Pearson says your wife
is in bad way, and he has pleaded
with me for her sake to s:;ow liberal
spirit. and against my Judgment I've con-
sentetl for once to mi2g,c charity with
business. must ask You to keep this
transaction quiet, 1T least the amount
of the loan must remain Il secret.
John readily consented to this small
request, and Mills proceeded to make
out the papers. and :, few minutes later
John Green emerged from the private
Office with fifty dollars in his pocket.
Fifty dollars did say
Yes, fifty dollars, less Mills commits
sions and interest, which were eight
dollars for q sixty days loan, three per
cent. per month for interest and five
per cent. rcr month for commissions. \
small matter. truly. and al insignificant
sum. Only sight collars for til" Us" of
forty-t!vo d. a,.s f:..- two months At
that rate. if E;rcc., l::d mad" tic loan
fo. 4 wear he woui,. have received two
dollars in casl. v;.ilc the remaining
forty-eight would have gone for inter
est and commission on The two. an, a
blessed thing IS the cl,attcl mortgage,
and blessc<! IS the man who Owls one.
It was fortunate thing for the poor
settlers that Mills made short time
loans only That feature was the only
redeeming one in his system
When John left the Office Pearson fol.
lowed him, and the honest, trustful
farmer embraced the opportunity N
thank Harry again for his interest anc
trouble.
Its all right, Mr. Green" Pearson
said, ''and you owe me nothing. The
favor I rendered you, if you persist IL
calling it favor, was nothing NOR.
than any man should do for another. J