Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-05-12

so blissfully unaware, to my hearts con-
tent. The power of love and tho power
of money! How, when united, did they
each illumine the other-they, the two
greatest forces of the world
On the morning following the day on
which we heard CT Mr.. Ferrolls arrival
in New York saw statement in the
daily paper which made me start vio-
lently. 1t was the announcement of tho
failure of Roger Dale, banker and
broker, with liabilities Of three millions
and estimated assets of less than one hun
bred thousand. fastened to get ready
to call on Mr.. Chelni, but before leaving
the house | received a message from him
which read rs follows: Francis Primo
is in town, and havo made m appoint
ment with him for twelve o'clock You
will please come to the Office at once, If
possible"
what mas happened, Mr.. Chelm?" l
asked, as | entered the room where he
was sitting tried to seem calm and
Indifferent.
"Sit down, Miss Harlan. l am sorry
TO say that your friend Francis Prime
has got into difficulties. Roger Dale, a
rather prominent banker, has suspended
payment, and Mr.. Prime happens to be
one of his largest creditors"
Has Mr.. Prime failed also"
Not vet, But see no escape for him
on his own showing, The circumstances
are peculiar, and indicate deliberate
fraud on the part Of Dale; but, as Prime
rays. he cant let his own customers suf
fer
This is all a riddle to me-" said, a
little impatiently. You forget that l
do not know the facts yet"
"The facts are simple enough, and the
whole difficulty, it seems, is indirectly
the result Of having anything to do with
men who take improper risks. AS told
you the other day, young Prime has been
eeged on by the large sums he has seen
made in few days by others to 90 joint
account with this man Dale, who has
had the reputation Of being very shrcwd
and successful, ard who, by the way,
comes from this city The speculutions
turned out very well, especially this last
one, which our friend tells me was to
have been his last"
Eyes, | am sure it was" | answered
excitedly,
Mr. Chelm looked at ne with blank
sort of guze VERY likely" he OBJ
served, with a dry smile "Well, as |
was saying, this, like the others, was
profitable, ana Primo not only had en-
riched himself but scmo OF his Gus
toners who had taken the risk with
him. The moucy was paid to him and
he made reports OF the same TO his Gus
toners. But the same day Dale came
in and asked Prime TO loan him over
night the s;;rn he had just paid in as a
personal favor Prime says he hest
tated, not because he suspected any
thing, but on grounds Of common pru-
dencc 1t seemed to him, however, that
it would be churlish and punctilous to
refuse to accommodate the man TO
whom he owed his good fortune, and so
he lent the money. Mkt day Dale failed
sgracefully. Oi course Mr.. Prime
.eels bound i'll honor TO pay his Gus
toners their profits, which happen to
exceed his capital THIS is the whole
story"
Il see. And what DO You advise me
to do?' asked, after u pause.
"Do:" Mr. Chelm shrugged his shout
ders, II do not SEQ that YOU can dc
anything"
Z" | can pay lis debts"
"You can pay his debts and YOU can
found home for unsuccessful merchant
princes if you choose, but not with my
consent
He has behaved very honorably,"
"Pooh any honest man would do the
same"
You say he will be here at twclva?"
"At twelve"
'WhY did you ask him to come back:'
"You interroga,e ike lawyer. tod
him | would communicate with ny
principal
Did he ask for help"
Not at all He was ready to 'stanj
/ the racket he said, H merely wishaC
to state the facts He blamed himself
for lack of discretion, and could no
contradict him. He was immaculate Il,
ever in his personal appearance, but h
! looked pale.
poor fcllowT
''Yes, it is unfortunate, admit. Du
it will teach BIN q lesson. \ man VIII,
wishes to become Il merchant prince can
not afford to trust anybody"
"What doctrine"
, business and sentiment are incom
patible.'