Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-17
RETRIEVED.
"Mr. Williams, one moment, please. "

countant. What refer to is an entirely
different thing
"The fact is, we have found that you
are heavily indebted in various parts of the
city, much more than we desire any one
in our employ to be- Several firms where
you have considerable accounts standing
for some time have applied to us to secure
them. This we cannot do"
II think that this thing has-has been
exaggerated" stammered the young man.
"But as you may have other reasons for
wishing to discharge me will go at
once"
And then Paul Williams, feeling, as
people always do who have met with the
penalty of their indiscretion, that he had
been dealt with unjustly, walked away.
Almost unconsciously he bent his steps
toward distant hill wherein lay the city
cemetery, and half an hour later he was
walking up the hill with long, sweeping
strides, totally Indifferent to the fact that
the dust of the road was destroying the
polish of his shapely shoes, which that
very morning he had put onwith so much
care.
Paul Williams was man of five and
twenty, and for four years had held the
position from which he had now been SO
suddenly dismissed.
Though he had no habits which could
have been called really bad, he unfortu-
nately possessed traits Of character which
kept him from succeeding as his friends
had just reasons to expect. He was one of
the members of band of young men who,
though not dissipated, had formed the
dangerous habit Of spending money as
fast as or faster than they earned it.
Some two years before he had begun to
pay his attentions to a young lady, who
was now his betrothed, and wishing most
of all not to appear mean in the eyes of
the woman he loved he had often made
presents and spent money upon her when
she would have respected him just as
much, perhaps more, if he had kept his
purse closed.
The young man might not have come to
grief had it not been for another habit
more seductive and infinitely more dan
gerous than all the others-the practice of
running into debt heedlessly and without
thought. 1t had always been failing
with him, but within year it had grown
stronger than ever.
All these things presented themselves to
Paul Williams in their true light for the
first time as he sat alone in the silent GEM
etery. After time he came to feel that
the action of his employers, harsh as it
might seem, was not without cause.
First of all, he would draw what money
he had in the bank and as far as possible
pay what money he owed, and then he
would go away from Johnsport and try to
find something to do which would enable
him to pay the rest.
Two hours later Paul Williams sat in
his room with package of bills, on each
Of which was the ominous letters CDR. -
on one hand and on the other roll of
bank notes. ALI told, he was in debt 800.
Then he turned and counted the bills
before him. There was less than $500, a
little more than half what he owed
After hasty dinner he once more sailed
out on the street, and visiting each of his
creditors paid what he could, until not a
dollar remained in his pocket.
Paul." said the junior member of the
firm as he handed him check, I'm con-
foundedly sorry about this thing. It's a
wretched business from beginning to end,
and if could have had my way about it,
old boy, it would not have happened. l
wired a friend up in Wisconsin, who wrote
me some time since that he wanted good
bookkeeper, that If the place was not al
ready filled / could find a capital man for
him. I have just received an answer,
which says, Let him come at once.' So if
you want to go you are not out all around.
What say your
II will go at onoe-tonight was the
prompt reply.
Paul's hardest task still lay before him
to see his intended wife and to tell her
all. The young man told his story openly
and frankly, emitting nothing and con-
cealing nothing
He told of the opportunities that lay be-
fore him and Of the sacrifices he was de-
termi d to mako until he had paid every
cent, but there would be stain upon his
name, and if she wished she was free to
break the engagement between them at
once.
But If he had thought that she would
take such step he was destined to be
happily disappointed, for her reply was:
"Paul, although l have feared for q
long time that something like this was
going to happen, don't want to be free
from you, because-because l love you.
W. away W. UuC pono yOu Jul, anu, COllC
what may, know that there is one who
trusts you and is waiting for you"
When year had passed, he had paid ev-
erything and was beginning to save Be-
sides he had dropped all of his foolish airs
and habits and become in every way more
manly and independent.
One day near the close of his second
year the young bookkeeper and his en-
ployer were talking together when the lat
ter said:
"Paul, I am thinking of taking in a
partner My business is growing SO fast
that 1T needs two to attend to it, and !
want some one that thoroughly under
stands 1t. Have you been ablo to save
much since you came out herep You
must. for you haven't any expensive hab-
It's.
At first the young man blushed and
seemed slightly confused, but recovering
himself he told his employer in few
words how he had come to leave Johnsport
and in what way the most Of his money
had been spent since that time.
"This is surprise to me, was the re-
| ply, "yet am not sorry to hear 1t, for 1t
shows that you have the right stuff in
| YOU"
Paul Williams Is now the master Of a
| pleasant home and far on the road to
wealth, but he has not forgotten the bitter
| experience Of the past and often affirms
that never never again will he be the