Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-22

and buy it himself at half its value,
and turn us out of house and home.
He is q sharper of the first water,
and woe to him whom he gets into
his coils. But will call upon Raub-
rogel and make the attempt, to
please you, although know it will
be useless"
With a heavy heart Irwin proceed
ed on bis way to have an interview
with Raubyogel. He was a man OF
his word, and anxious to make
prompt payment if in his power, and
il unable to do so, as he knew be
could not. to prevail upon the jew to
have the note renewed. On entering
the usurer's office he was, for the
moment, cordially received. my
dear friend" said the jew, smiling,
II see you ish a man of your word,
which ish very commendable. The
three years have scarcely elapsed,
and here you vas promptly to attend
to business.
This reception, in view of what it
might turn into, rather confused r.
win, and in stammering words he at
tempted to offer an apology for not
being ready to pay the money.
"Tut, tut, tut exclaimed the US
urer, gazing at his debtor with blaz-
ing eyes and contracted brow. chow
dosh dat come,-no monish 2-you
knows de gondract. l need mine
monish very mooch. / cannot do
widoud him any longer. You dold
me you pay bromt, and hold you
to your promise. / ish a man of
druth, and / dought you was de
same. De monish must gone, dat is
shure.'
Good Mr.. Irwin was extremely
mortified that this cruel man called
into question his honor and veraci
ty; for, to be an upright and truth
full man was the constant endeavor
and pride of his life. He candidly
and truthfully gave the Insurer a cor
rect statement Of his financial condi-
ton, assuring him that it was not his
fault that he was confronted with
so great misfortune.
But the usurer was obdurate, and
would not listen to any excuse or
explanation. All that he finally
agreed to and granted was a few
weeks extension of time to enable
the poor man to make last effort
to raise the money, with the distinct
understanding and positive threat
that if payment was not made at the
expiration Of that time, the mort
gage would be foreclosed. This end
ed the unpleasant interview.
With sad heart Irwin turned
his footsteps homeward and report
ed to his wife the result of his inter-
view with the hard-hearted jew.
Stella, poor tender hearted Stella,
wept bitterly. co., said she, with
a deep drawn sigh, 81 could not have
believed that there are such hard
hearted persons in Gods world"
He tried his best to comfort her,
though needing comfort himself as
much as she. "Well, dear wife,
said he, mot all is lost yet. will
try to sell all / have, and live in
rent. Surely we will realize consid-
erably more than we owe"
But Stella did not favor this plan.
She was unwilling to part with the
home. 1t was the parental heritage
of her husband. 1t had descended
to him through three or four gener-
atoms Of ancestors. This, above
every other consideration, made the
home dear to both. The thought of
leaving it, under all the circum-
stances. filed their hearts with sor-
row and pain.
Irwin went the same day to see
some of his friends, to make known
his dilemma and ask their advice at
least, if they would not give him
any assistance. All sympathized
with him. and regretted that he was
compelled to sacrifice his property
for a sacrifice it certainly would be
owing to the depreciation of proper
ty at that time, but no purchaser
could be found.
Necessity knows no law The
extended time being about to ex-
pire, and the prospect for cancelling
the note being no better, Irwin re-
solved to call upon Raubvogel once
more and, by offering additional in.
| terest, induce him to extend The
time for six or ten months, in tht
| hope that in the meantime some
thing might turn up to enable hin
to get out of the coils of this Shy
lock. Perhaps the offer of addition
al interest might have some weight
and if not, it would make tue matter
no worse than it was. But all to M
purpose. The indexible grasper af
ter gain was bent to turn Twins di
lenma to his advantage. He sale
that he had already taken counsel
and was advised to foreclose.
At this Richard Irwin exclaim
ed, with uncomfortable indignation
"Mr. Raubvogel, if it is your fixe,
purpose to dcfraud me in this man
ner, and reduce me and my family t
| want and wrpfchedness carry on