Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-10-05

1ncIuQ1ng ms two horses, the harness, wagon, blows and other farm property,
 ''Now," asked Mills when the list was complete, Chow much money do you expect to get on these?"
 "I haven't made up my mind to any particular sum-" said John. sI only know that have given you in every cent of three hundred dollars worth of property"
 ''Three hundred" repeated Mills. Gould you sell it for that amount?"
 ''No, I suppose I could not under present circumstances,' John admitted
 ''No, you could not. But could you sell it for two hundred dollars?''
 Mot at present.
 ''No, nor you couldn't sell it for one hundred, could you?"
 'I expect not"
 "Nor fifty?"
 "I don't know. Perhaps I couldn't. But remember that is no criterion of worth. Nothing sells now but food"
 But it is a criterion of worth, Mir. Green," Mills corrected. ''It is crite- 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 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 I'll make you loan on the present value of your property. I'll advance twenty-five dollars on it.''
 Great heavens!' cried John. "Only twenty-five dollars!''
 'Only twenty-five dollars" Mills re- peated. q wouldn't do that if your friend and my friend, MT. Pearson. hadn't interceded in your behalf. I would rather not take the business at all, and but for him I 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.''
 ''I can't accept so small an amount" John replied, promptly. "I can do better. I will let it go at fifty, but no less.''
 "Then our business is at an end," said Mills, as he arose and started toward the door.
 "Hold on, Mills,' Pearson called. 'T want to speak with you a moment.'' Mills and Pearson withdrew to the opposite side of the room and talked for some time in low tones. John did not hear a word that passed between them, but he felt assured 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: ''Mr. Green, I am going to make an exception of your case, and advance you I fifty dollars. l wouldn't do it for an- | other man on earth, and ought not do it for you. It is taking a great I isk, and besides it is setting bad precedent | However, MT. Pearson says your wife is in bad way, and he has pleaded with me for her sake to show liberal spirit, and against my judgment I've con- sented for once to mingle charity with business. I must ask you to keep this transaction quiet, at least the amount 1 of the loan must remain secret" John readily consented to this small request, and Mills proceeded to make out the papers, and few minutes later | office with fifty dollars in his pocket.
 Fifty dollars did say? Yes, fifty dollars, less Mills commis sions and interest, which were eight dollars for sixty days loan, three per cent. per month for interest and five per cent. per month for commissions A small matter, truly, and an insignificant sum. Only eight dollars for the use of forty-two dollars for two months. At that rate, if Green had made the loan for year he would have received two dollars in cash while the remaining forty-eight would have gone for inter est and commission on the two. An, a blessed thing is the chattel mortgage, and blessed is the man who owns 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 to thank Harry again for his interest and | trouble.
 Its all right, Mr. Green," Pearson said, land you owe me nothing. The favor rendered you, if you persist in calling it favor, was nothing more l than any man should do for another. I