The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-05-27

hope that the chapter OF accidents or
the arrival of some brilliant cargoes
from the coast might set the concern
on its legs again.
From day to day he had been ex-
pecting news Of one of his vessels.
At asst one morning he found tele-
gram awaiting him at the Office. He
tore 1t eagerly open for 1t bore the
Madeira mark. IL was from his ag-
ent, Jose AlvecirRs, and announced |
that the voyage for which he had |
hoped so much had been total fail
ure. The cargo was hardly sufficient |
to defray. the working expenses. AS
the merchant read 1t, his head Troop
ed over the table and he groaned
aloud. Another of the props which
upheld him from ruin had snapped
beneath him.
There were three letters lying aside
the telegram. He glanced through
them, but there was no consolation in
any of them. One was from bank
manager informing him that his ac-
count was somewhat overdrawn. An
other from Lloyd's Insurance Agency.
pointing out that the policies on two
of his vessels would lapse unless paid
within. certain date. The clouds
were gathering very darkly oyer the
African firm, yet the old man bore up
against misfortune with dauntless
courage. He sat alone in his little
room, with his head sunk upon his
breast, and his thatched eyebrows
drawn down over his keen grey eyes.
1t was clear to him that the time
had come when he must enlighten
his son as to the true state OF their
affairs. With his cooperation he
might carry out plan which had
been maturing for some months in
his brain.
1t was a hard task for the proud
and austere merchant to be compell-
ed to confess to his son that he had
speculated without his knowledge in
the capital of the company, and that
large part of that capital had dis
appeared. These speculations in many
instances had promised large re-
turns and John Girdlestone had with
drawn money from safer concerns,
and re-invested It in the hope of get
ting a higher rate of interest. He
had done this with his eyes open to
the risk, and knowing that his son
| was of too practical and cautious a
nature to embark in such COMMERCIAL
gambling, he had never consulted
him upon the point, nor had he made
any entry of the money SO invested
in the accounts of the firm. Hence,
Ezra was entirely ignorant of the dan
ger which hung over them, and his
father saw that in order to secure
his energetic assistance in the stroke
which he was contemplating it was
absolutely necessary that he should
know how critical their position was.
The old man had hardly come to
this conclusion when he heard the
sharp football of his son in the outer
Office and the harsh tones of his voice
as he addressed the clerks. A nom
ent or two later the green baize door
flew open and the young man came
in, throwing his hat and coat down on
one of the chairs. 1t was evident
that something had ruffled his tenn
per.
Good morning." he said brusquely
nodding his head to his father.
Good morning, Ezra" the mer-
chant answered meekly.
whats the matter with you, faith
err" his son asked, looking at him
keenly. you don't look yourself anC
haven't for some time back"
Business worries, my boy, business
worries" John Girdlestone answered
wearily.
TITS the Internal atmosphere of this
place" Ezra said, impatiently. 81
feel 1t myself sometimes. l wonder
you don't start little country seal
with some grounds. Just enough tC
ask fellow to shoot over, and witt
good billiard board, and every con.
vepience of that sort. 1t would de
for us to spend the time from Satur,
day to Monday, and allow us to ge
some fresh air into our lungs. There
are plenty of men who can't AFFORD
} it half as we'll, and yet have some
: thing of the sort. What's the use o.
having a good balance at your bank
ers If you don't live to enjoy it.
There's only one objection to it,
the merchant said huskily, and witG
forced laugh; 81 have not got {
: good ba ance at the bankers"
pretty fair, pretty fair," his sol
said, knowingly. picking up the Ions
d thin volume in which the finance o
| the firm was recorded, and tapping
, it against the table.
But the figures there are not quit,
correct, Ezra" his father said, still
J more huskily. "We have not go
, nearly so much as that"
What" roared the junior part
! ner.
: "Hush! For Gods sake don't let tn,
clerks hear you. We have not 81
f, much as that. We have very little
! In fact, Ezra, we have next to nothing
t in the bank. 1t is all gone"
, For a moment the young man stoot
, mOtionless, glaring at his father. Tn
3 expression of credulity which had ap
: peared on his features faded away be
e fore the earnestness of the other, ant
1 was replaced by look OF such mallg
: pant passion that Il contOrted hi