New-York tribune., 1909-02-07

you will be SO very good as to see your way. II
possible to granting me extension Of time in
the matter of paving my interest"
Paul. who above everything regular and
nethodical. replied:
Hum chrm chrum. chrm, Wei. my dear Peter,
It would not be generous 70 press you. but
trust you will remember that this money has
not been spent upon my private enjoyment. 1t
has gone for the glory Of Mutual Position;
pray do not forget that. Peter; and remember also
that if you have pay interest so have l. so have
/ We are all in the same boat Peter sink or
swim. sink or swim" Then his face bright
ened. he patted Peter genally on the shoulder ana
added: do not think me harsh, Peter. 1t is
necessary that should keep a strict, business
like way of doing things, for I have large prop
erty manage; but you may be sure that my
friendship for you Is of value to me than a
few paltry sovereigns. I will lend you the sum
you owe TO the interest on the Common Debt. and
though IN strict right you alone should pay the in
terest on this loan will call half Of 1t my
own. and you shall pay but fl year on it for
ever"
Peters ewes swan with telrs at PauTs gener-
osity. and he thanked his stars that his lot had
been cast with such man. But when Paul came
again with a grave face and said 10 him. Peter.
my boy. we must insure at once against burglars;
the underwriters demand q hundred pounds. his
heart broke, and he could not endure the thought
of further payments Paul. however with the
quiet good sense that characterized him, pointed
necessity OF the payment, anus eSlnB
Peter with compassion for moment, told him
that he had long been feeling that he (Peter) had
been unfairly taxed 1T is principle (sajd
PauD THAT taxation should fall upon in pro-
portion TO their ability to pay it. am determined
that whatever happens. you shall in future pay
hut a third of the interest that may accrue upon
further Ioans' IN vain that Peter pointed
out that in his even a thirtieth would mean
starvation: Paul firm and carried his point
The wretched Peter but skin and bone.
J,FS E0DaiI as hRd
was considerably lessened. Paul began TO fear
very seriously for his funds he therefore
kept up Peters spirits best he could with such
advice as the following:
Dear Peter, do not repine; your lot is indeed,
hard but It has its silver lining. You are the
member of a partnership famous among all other
bachelor residences for its display Of fireworks
and its fine furniture So valuable is the room
in which you live that the insurance alone is -he
wonder and envy of neighbors Consider also
how firm and stable these loans make our COM
radeship. They give ma stake in the rooms and
furnish a ready market for the spare capital OF
our little community. The interest WE pay upon
the fund Is an evidence of social rank. and
all London stares with establishment ut the fiat Of
Peter and Paul. who can without an effort buy
such gorgeous furniture at q moments notice"
But aIas these well meant words were Of no
avail. on 4 beautiful spring day, when all the
world seemed to be holding him 10 the joys Of lv-
ing Peter passed quietly away in his little truckle
bed unattended even by a doctor. whose fees
would have neCesSitated loan the interest OF
which he could never have paid.
Paul. on the death Of Peter, gave way at first
TO bitter recrimination. rs this the way he
said that you repay years of unstnted gener-
osity? Nay. is this the way you meet your sacred
obligations? You promised upon thousand OCca-
eions to pay your share of the interest for ever.
and now, like a defaulter. you abandon your post
and destroy half the revenue Of our firm by one
fntempestive and thoughtless act Had you but
possessed a little property which. properly
cured would continue to mest The claims you
had incurred had not blamed you. But a
who earns all that he possesses has no right to
pledge himself perpetual payment unless he IS
prepared live forever!
NobIer thoughts however. succeeded this out
burst and Paul threw himself upon the bed OF
his Departed Friend and mOaned. Who now viii
pay me an income return for my investments?
All my fortune is sunk in this has: though I my
self pay the interest never so regularly. it will
not increase my fortune by farthng! I shall
IS / live consume a fund which viii never be re-
IIeuIshed. and within a short time I shall be
compelled to work for my living"
Maddened by this reflection. he dashed into
the street hurried northward through the now
rzpldly gathering darkness and drowned himself
in the Regents Canal. just where 1t runs by the
Geological Gardens, under the bridge that leads
Il the cages OF the larger pachyierms.
Thus miserably perished Peter and Paul, the one
in the thirteth, the other in the forty seventh
year of his age both victims their ignorance OF
Mrs Fawcett's Political Economy for the Young"
the "Nicomachean Ethics" Basiats Economic
Iiarmonies' The Fourth Council Of Latsran on
I -nfrutful Loans and Usdry,' The Speeches Of
sir Michael Hicks Beach Mr.. BTodrick'
Lord Middleton. The Sermons Of ST Thomas Aqui-
mas" under The head "UsurIa", W. ) LlIy's
First Principles In Politics" and other works
numerous to mention