Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-10-24
BETROTHED IN
BANKRUPTCY
Copyright 1906, by Ruby Douglas
By c. B. Levi,

After the death of her farmer hus-
band the widow Allen moved into the
village Of Fergus. Her husband had
left her a snug property aud goodly
sum of life Insurance, and at fifty years
she became a money lender
She had no friends as a girl. she had
few as a wife, and as "A widow and
capitalist people did not speak in her
! favor She drove hard bargains and
had no pity, If her capital or interest
was not forthcoming on the day and
date she invoked the aid of the law
and accepted no excuses She had al
ways been woman of stingy DISPOSE
ton, sure to avenge what she deemed
slight, and when she came To know the
general opinion of the villagers she
ground her teeth together and made up
her mind TO get even.
The village of Fergus boosted OF only
three general stores. That was more
than was needed to supply the wants
Of the people There would not have
been fourth had not one of the mer-
chants had a business transaction with
the widow Allen and been obliged 10
go to law over 1t. She was beaten in
the suit, and to get even she planned
TO start another store. Not being an
educated woman and afraid TO try the
idea by herself, she lent a sum of money
to young George French, who had for
several years been clerk in the store
Of the merchant she wished particularly
to ruin. He was bound hard and fast.
The widow wanted revenge. but she
didn't propose To lose any money over
Ii. She was near fifty years old and
the new merchant not yet twenty-siX.
but she let it be known that when Il
marriage took place between them the
firm name of George French K Co."
might be shortened to George French"
There was Il rush of customers to the
new store. To keep expenses down
and make an innovation young French
employed a girl bookkeeper and an
other girl as clerk
AS the widow insisted on his board
ing with her so that they could talk
business and he be under her watch,
she did not become jealous for time.
The day came. however, when she an
nounced that he must get rid of both
girls and replace them with men.
He refused To heed her In this, point
ing out the saving and other good rea
sons. One of the reasons that he did
not give was that he admired the
fatherless girl, Jennie Warder. the
bookkeeper, who was supporting wild
owed mother by her efforts, and TO
whom lie had been attracted from the
first day His admiration must have
been patent to her in a hundred ways
and yet he had spoken no word. The
new store was an experiment; if it was
success he might avow himself If
failure he would have no right TO ask
her to share his lot.
The widow Allen concealed her cha
grin and did not press her point. The
young merchant was hustling and max
ing things gloomy Tor her victim. At
the proper time be would offer an alter
native.
Nine months " liberal advertising,
low prices and attention to business ON
the part of the new storekeeper
brought bankruptcy TO two of the other
merchants, but they brought no such
profits TO French as he had hoped for.
He had bound himself to sell at certain
prices and he dared not depart from
them. He had bound himself TO repay
a certain amount of the capital invest
ed az the end of the first twelve
months. and figure as he would he
could not see his way clear TO do so.
The widow was waiting for him to
speak. and then she laughed and limited
ut matrimony. When her hints were
turned aside she said quietly:
AT the end of the year you must pay
me as agreed If not the law will put
me in possession and you will be out of
employment"
But you are not pressed for money.
You can give me time he protested.
Il have worked like a slave 10 make
the store success. l put in a thou
sand dollars of my own money. You
would not drive me into bankruptcy"
IF we are not married on the day
your notes are due l shall demand my
money. If you go into bankruptcy
shall buy In the stock and put some
one else in your place"
Her declaration lost her her boarder.
but when he walked out Of the house
he knew that he was ruined in bust
ness. He could not pay her the half
Of what he owed her, and call at the
lawyers brought him no comfort. She
had spoken of marriage. but he turned
away IN disgust at the thought. She
had said she would ruin him, and she
was a woman TO keep her word.
There is always "a way out for the
merchant who finds bankruptcy star
Ing him in the face, and few take ii
who cannot excuse themselves to their
own consciences. The merchant went
over the ground time and time again.
but he always came back TO the one
thing If his store was burned out be-
fore the year was up the insurance
money would pay the widow Allen
and leave him something to start