La Junta tribune., 1906-11-10
BETROTnED IN
BANKRUPTCY
Copyright. iss, by Ruby Dough-.
~ c. = Levis


village Of Fergus Her husband had
left her a snug property and 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 wife, and as a widow and
capitalist people did not speak in her
favor. She drove hard bargains and
had no pity. II 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 a woman of stingy DISPOSE
tion, 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 boasted 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 business transaction with
the widow Allen and been obliged to
20 10 law over II. 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
It. She was near fifty years old and
the new merchant not yet twenty six,
but she let IL be known that when a
marriage took place between them the
firm name Of George French 4 Co"
might be shortened TO George French"
There was 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 hoard
ing with her Nd that they could talk
business and he iie 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 10 heed her in this. point
ing out the saving and other good rea-
sons. Onr of the rea sons that he did
not give was that he admired the
fatherless girl, Jennie Warder. the
bookkeeper. who was supporting a 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 a hundred ways.
and yet he had spoken no word. The
new stor was an experiment; II 1t was
. SUCCESS he might avow himself. II q
failure he would have no right to ask
her 10 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 At
the proper time he would offer an alter
native.
Nine months of 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.
prices and he dared not depart from
them lie had bound himself to repay
a certain amount of the capital invest
ell al the end of the first twelve
months. and figure as he would he
could not see his way clear TO do 30.
The widow was waiting for him to
speak, and then she laughed and hlnted
at 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 n slave TO make
the store a success. I 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 ! shall demand my
money. II you go into bankruptcy
shall buy In the stock and put some
one else in your place"
Her declaration lost her her boarsier,
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 a call at the
lawyer's brought him no comfort. She
had spoken Of marriage. but be turned
away In disgust at the thought. She
lad said she would ruin him. and she
was q woman to keep her word.
There II always a way out for the
who finds bankruptcy star
Ing him In the face. and few take Il
Who cannot excuse themselves to their
Dwn conscieDcss. The merchant went
DveT TIE groand time and time again
but he always came back to the one
lhiag. II his store was burned cot b.
Doee tie year was ny the Insurance