Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1906-10-03
RETROTHED In
BANKRUPTCY
BY c. B. Lewis

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
After the death of her farmer hus-
band the widow Allen moved into the
village of Fergus. Her husband had
left her snug property and a goodly
sum of life insurance, and at fifty years
she became money lender.
She had no friends as a girl, she had
few as a wife, and as widow and a
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 4 woman of stingy DISPOSE
ton, sure to avenge what she deemed a
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 q business transaction with
the widow Allen and been obliged to
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 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
it. She was near fifty years old and
the new merchant not yet twenty six,
but she let it be known that when a
marriage took place between them the
firm name of George French & CO."
might be shortened to George French"
There was a 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 a time.
The day cane, 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
| l.,
fatherless girl, Jennie Warder, the
bookkeeper, who was supporting wild
owed mother by her efforts, and to
whom he had been attracted from the
first day. His admiration must have
been patent to her in hundred ways
and yet he had spoken no word The
new store was an experiment; if it was
a success he might avow himself. If q
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 for her victim. A
the proper time he would offer an alter
native.
Nine months of liberal advertising
low prices and attention to business OIL
the part Of the new storekeepe
brought bankruptcy to two of the othe
merchants. out they brought no sucl
profits to French as he had hoped for
He had bound himself to sell at certain
prices and ne dared not depart iron
them. He had bound himself to repa
a certain amount of the capital invest
ed at the end OF the first twelv
I, months, and figure as he would b
. could not see his way clear to do 81
. The widow was waiting for him
speak, and then she laughed and hinte
at matrimony. When her hints weI
turned aside she said quietly:
"At the end of the year you must pa
me as agreed. If not the law will pI
me in possession and you will be out {
employment"
But you are not pressed for None
You can give me time" he proteste'
Il have worked like a slave to NAL
the store a success. 1 put in tho
sand dollars of my own money. YC
O. WOulu UOI uFlNe me lulO bankruptcy!
IN IF we are not married on the ds
n. your notes are due l shall demand n
al money. If you go into bankruptcy
10 shall buy in the stock and put son
he one else in your place"
"a Her declaration lost her her boardt
at but when lie walked out of the hou
re he knew that he was ruined in bu
ness. He could not pay her the hs
49, of what he owed her, and call at t
lawyers brought him no comfort S
= had spoken of marriage, but he turn
= away in disgust at the thought. S
had said she would ruin him, and S
was woman to keep her word.
: There is always a way out for
!, merchant who finds bankruptcy st
he ing him in the face, and few take
Of who cannot excuse themselves TO Gh
an an own consciences. The merchant W.
Zee. over the ground time and time aga
OF but he always came back to the