The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-08-11


mdtrOn.
"They seem berert of sound judgment,
and have no doubt it is your fathers ef-
forts to bring them to the realizing sense
of the danger of longer delay that so de-
tains him."
"He must be sorely tried at any hest
tation at such a crisis"
"Ah, yes. While business is so para
lyzed, should they attempt to struggle
longer with the adverse circumstances
by which they are surrounded, the effort
will involve them in irreparable ruin
and. sadder than all else. the blow may
fall at time when they cannot prevent
great loss to those who have trusted in
them, and thus add to Other trials the
imputation Of dishonesty.
"That is the bitter penalty almost in
variably melted out to those who by fail
ure impoverish others"
The young man stood silent and
thoughtful for some minutes, while his
mother earnestly watched the changes
that swept across his face, and as they
deepened she fondly passed her arm
around him, saying cheerfully:
surely too manly to despond when for
us there are no darker clouds in pros
pect than loss Of property, for you may
rest assured no blot will tarnish your IA
theirs honor, and therefore if we can re-
main undivided l feel very little dis
turbed at the thought Of pecuniary loss.
l am chiefly annoyed at the anxiety your
father may be compelled to endure before
he can bring his partners to consent to
an immediate settlement. But you, our
eldest son, are young, strong, well edu-
Gated, enterprising and energetic.
at would seem that you would find
more true enjoyment in an opportunity
to employ your talents in efforts to build
up our fortune anew than in the inherit
ance of wealth so abundant as to call for
no exertion on your own part. Many
one whom God has richly endowed has
buried his talents in q Napkin and
through the enervating influences of
wealth has lived and died mere cipher
instead of the glorious being an industri-
GUS life with limited means would have
made him"
George for moment drew his mother
closely to his breast, and leaving a pas
sionate kiss on her cheek replied:
"You misunderstood me, mother, dear.
Indeed quite like the idea Of engineer
ing my own way in the world. It is for
you and my good, kind father that I feel
regret and sadness. 1t Is not so long
since, but can well remember by what
untiring industry, what patient efforts,
your present position was attained. No
inherited wealth placed us wherewe now
stand, but the sweat Of fathers noble
brow, aided and cheered by your loving
care and skillful management, just as
every true American should glory In
building up for himself a prominent place
in society. And now that in middle age
you are among the highest and noblest,
where you both are so well qualified to
shine, it does hurt me cruelty. my dar-
ling mother, to see change in prospect.
eff you could but retain your present
position and let your children begin their
LIES work now, as you did, that would
be perfectly satisfactory, and we should
have no cause for sorrow or regret. And
indeed cannot see why this should not
be 30.
"Father has never allowed all bis
property to mingle with the concerns Of
the store. Why not pay all, and II need
be, moro than his proportion, then insist
on an immediate dissolution Of the ffrm2
The property honestly vested in your
name, my mother, would easily support
you in your present style without any
noticeable change. You and father have
borne tho burden and heat of the day
quite long enough. Let us young ones
take our turn now"
George had spoken with great earnest
ness and rapidity, and his mother fondly
and wisely abstained from any Interrupt
ton at first, but now she checked him.
saying, with loving smile:
"The blow has not yet fallen, my son,
or at least we can know nothing definite
until your father returns. But Of one
thing we may be certain-none will suf-
fer loss by the failure Of firm in which
his name stands prominent, even II to
secure them from 1t we are reduced to