Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-02-03

gentleman.
"How much shall l charge him ?"
That was Mr.. Edgar's first thought,
as soon us he was alone. Even as he
asked himself the question, the young
mechanic entered.
"You take good paper sometimes ?"
said the latter, in hesitatiDg manner.
The countenance of Mr.. Edgar be-
came instantly very grave.
Sometimes 1 do" he answered
with assumed indifference.
81 have a note of Leyden & Co.'s
that / wish to discount" said Blake
we'll.
"For how muchf"
Three hundred dollars; six
months !" and he handed Mr.. Edgar
the note.
al don't like over four months
notes." remarked the money-lended
coldly. Then he asked "what rate
of interest do you expect to payS"
whatever is usual. Of course l
wish to get it done as low as possible.
My profits are not large, and every
dollar pay in discounts, is so much
taken from the growth of my business
and the comfort Of my family"
"You have a family
Eyes sir. A wife and four child
rem"
Mr.. Edgar unused for moment or
two An unselfish thought was strug-
Cling to get into his mind.
"What have you usually paid on
this paper Z" he asked.
THE last | had discounted, cost
me one and a half per cent a mouth"
Notes of this kind are rarely mar
ketable below that rate" said Mr..
Edgar. He had thought of exacting
two per cent.
eff you will leave the note and re.
turn in half an hour, I will see what
can be DONE"
"Very well" returned the mechanic,
"Be as moderate with me as you can. u
For the half hour that went by
during the young mans absence, Mr..
Edgar walked the floor of his coun
ing-room, trying to come to some de.
cision in regard to the note. Love Of
gain demanded two per cent month
while feeble voice scarcely heard, SC
far away did it seem, pleaded for 6
generous regard to the young mans
necessities. The conflict taking place
in his mind was a new one for the
money.lender. In no instance, be-
fore, had he experienced any hesita'
ton on the..score of a large discount
Love Of gain continued clamorous for
two per cent on the note yet, ever
and anon, the low voice stole, in
pleading accents to his ears.
"I'll do it for one and a half" said
Mr.. Edgar, yielding slightly to the
humanity, urged by the voice thai
seemed to be coming nearer.
Love of gain, after slight opposition
was satisfied. But the low, penetrat'
ing voice asked for something better
still.
weakness {! Follyw exclaimed
Mr.. Edgar. "I'd better make him a
present of the money at once"
1t availed nothing. The voice
could not be hushed.
Zone per cent He couldn't get il
done so low as that in the CITY,"
"He is a 20 ung man, and has 8
wife and four little children" said the
voice. Even the abstraction Of lie
gal interest from his hard earnings il
defect enough to lose twice that sum,
will make a heavy draught on hi
profits, which, under the present com
petition in trade, are not large. II,
is honest and industrious, and by hi
useful labor, is aiding the social well
being. Is it right for you to get bis
reward ?--to take his profits, and add
them to your already rich accumula
tion ?"
Mr.. Edgar did not like these HON,
questions, and tried to stop his ears
so that the voice could not find oil
entrance. But he tried in vain.
Bank rates on this note," contin
ued the inward voice, would no
much exceed nine dollars. Even thi
is II large sum for q poor man to lose
Double this rate of interest, and tn
loss becomes all injury to his business
or the cause of seriously abridginj
his home comforts. And how mucl
will nine dollars contribute 10 you
business -? Not 80 much as jot or
tiLtle. You are unable, now, to spent
your income
The young mechanic entered a
this favorable moment. The money
lender pointed to a chair then turned
to his desk and filled up hurriedly
check Blackwell glanced at tn
amount thereof, rs IL was handed I,
him, and an instant flush of surpris,
came into his face.
Haven't you made a mistake, Mr.