Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-02-03
SOMETIME, SOMEWHERE.
THE PATH OF A MoNEY-LENDER

THE PATH OF A M0NEY-LENDER.
Mr.. Edgar was a money-lender,
and scrupled not in exacting the
highest street rates" of interest tina {
could be obtained. If good paper
were offered, and he could buy it from
the needy seeker of cash at two or
three per cent month, he did not
hesitate about the transaction on any
scruple of justice between man and
man. Below one per cent month
he rarely made loans. He had moth
ing to do with the question as to
whether the holder Of bills could afford
the sacrifice. The circle of his thoughts
went not beyond gain to himself.
Few days closed with Mr.. Edgar,
that he was not able to count up gain
as high as from thirty to one hundred
dollars. Not acquired in trade; not
coming back to him as the reward OF
industry but the simple
accumulation of large clippings from
the anticipated reward of others in.
dustry. Always with good balance
in bank. he had but to sign his name
to a check, and the slight effort was
repaid by gain of from ten to fifteen
dollars, according to the size and time
of the note he had agreed to discount.
A shrewd man, and we'll acquainted
with the business standing all arounc
him, Mr.. Edgar rarely made mistakes
in money transactions. There are
always plenty of good paper offering
and he never touched anything re
garded as doubtful.
Was Mr.. Edgar n happy man
All! That is a home question, bu
we answer. frankly. no. During hi
Office hours, while his love of gair
was active-while good customer wer'
coming and going. and good operation
being effected, his mind was in pleas
ureable glow. But, at other times
he suffered greatly from pressures of
his feelings, the cause of which he die
not clearly understand. Wealth h
had always regarded as the creates
good in life. And, now, he not onl,
had wealth, but the income therefor
was a great deal more than he hat
any desire to spend. And yet he wa
not happy-'no, not even in the though
of his large possessions. Only in tb
mental activity through which NOR
was obtained, did he really find salts
faction but this still was only shor
duration.
Positive unhappiness, Mr.. Edga
often experienced. Occasional losses
shrewd as he always was, were
inevitable. These fretted him great
ly. To lose thousand dollars, in
stead of gaining, as was pleasant.
believed, some sixty or seventy, was
shower of cold water upon his arden
love Of accumulation and he SILVER
ed painfully under the infiction. Tn
opportunities of friends, who neede'
money, and to whom it was unsafe &
lend it, was also a source Of no small
annoyance. And, moreover, ther
was little of the hearts warm sun
shine at home. AS Mr.. Edgar ha,
thought more of laying up wealth 70
his children, than giving them tn
true riches of intellect and heart, il
weeds had sprung up in their minds
He had not loved them with an I'm
selfish love; and he received not
higher affection than he bestowed
Their prominent thought i'll regard t
him, seemed ever TO be the obtainin
of some concession to their real o
imaginary wants ; and il denied these
they re acted upon him in anger, SUI
lenness or complaint.
Oh, no, Mr.. Edgar was not happy
Few CLEANS Of sunshine crossed hi
path. Life, TO him, in his own bite
words, uttered after some keen disaI
pointment, had "proved a failure.
And yet, he continued eager for gail
would cut as deep, exact as mucl
from those who had need of his moi
ey in their business as ever. TT
measure of percentage was the meas
ure of his satisfaction.
One day gentleman said to him
"Mr. Edgar, l advised young mi
chanic, who has been in business for
short time, and who has to take note
for his work, to call on you for I'll
purpose of getting them cashed. q
has no credit in bank. and lie, Their
fore, compelled to go upon the stree
for money. Most of his work is take
by one of the safest houses in til
city ; his paper is, therefore, as goo
rs any In the market. Deal a. moo
craiely with him as you can. II
knows little about these matters, G
where TO go for the accommodation b
needs. "
as he an industrious and pruder
young man p inquired Mr.. Edga,
caution aud cupidity at once excitet