The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1907-01-23
BETROTHED IN
BANKRUPTCY
BY c. B. Lewis
BY c. B. Lewis
Copyright, 1905, by Ruby Douglas

& Copyright, 1905, by Ruby Douglas s
h@a~a>ree~a.~e..~>~.ss.~
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 goouy
sum Of life insurance, and at fifty years
she became money lender.
She had no friends Is girl, she had
few as q wife, and as widow and
capitalist people did not speak in her
favor. She drove bard bargains and
had ne 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 a woman Of stingy diSpoS-
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 boasted OF only
three general stores. That was more
than was needed to supply the wants
of the people. There would not have
been q fourth had not one Of the ner-
chants had q business transaction with
the widow Allen and been obliged to
90 to law over it. 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 q sum Of money
to young George French, who had for
several years been cleek 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 bose any money over
it. She was near fifty yeass old and
the new merchant not ut twenty-six,
but she let It be known that when a
marriage took place between tham the
firm name et George Preach & Co."
might be shortened t. George French"
There was q rush Of customers to the
new store. 10 keep expenses down
and make IA innovation young French
employed q girl bookksaper and an
other girl as clerk.
AS the willow tassstsd On his board
ing with her 50 that they could talk
business and he be unAsr her watch,
she did not become Jealous for time.
The day came, however. when she an
nounced that b must get rid Of both
girls and replace theua With men.
He refused to heed her In this, point
ing out the saving and other good rea-
sons. One OF the reasoas that he did
not give was that be admired the
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 n a hundred ways.
and yet he had spoken no word. The
new store was an experiment; If it was
q 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 for her victim. At
the proper time he would offer On alter
native.
Nine months Of liberal advertising,
low prices and attention to business on
the part Of the new stotekeeper
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 at the end Of the first twelve
months, and figure as be would he
could not see his way cIear to do so.
The widow was waiting for him to
speak, and then she laughed and limited
at matrimony. When her hints were
turned aside she said quietly:
"At the end OF the year you must pay
ne 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 n, time" he protested.
II have worked like a slave to make
the store a success, I put In 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 I
shall buy In the stock and put some