Year: 1878

fe,and there was something about them
that forbade inquisitiveness.


was at this time sixteen years of age,
and on very intimate terms with Mr..
Days family. At the time of my story
he was helping my father on the farm
for few days and boarding with u.s.
One day when we came in from our fore
noon work, we found Squire Black was
to take dinner with us, and as he was
reputed to be the wealthiest man in the
township we felt quite honored. He was
a very genial man and an excellent
talker, and had an adroit way of flatter-
ing and making every one feel easy in
his company.


On this occasion he made himself very
agreeable; he praised the neat appear
ance of the farm and buildings, compli-
mented mother on her good cooking,
called me fine, manly fellow, gave
some small change to the children, and
by the time dinner was over had gained
the good will of the entire family.


After dinner Mr.. Black asked to see
the stock and examine the arrangement
of the barn and outbuildings, and as
father took pride in having good, we'll
fed stock and one of the most conven-
iently arranged barns in the county, he
was glad to show him around, and was
much pleased with the hearty commen-
dation which Mr.. Black bestowed upon
them.


He finally made known the object of
his visit; he had found a piece of very
desirable property for sale, low, so that
there was no question that within less
than year he could clear several thou
sand dollars on it, but he must pay all
cash down and he lacked two thousand
dollars of having enough money to pay
for it. He wished father to become Sc
curity for him for one year, as he had
found a party who was willing to lend
him the amount if his signature could
be had to the note.


He did not give father time to think
or scarcely answer his question, but
took from his pocket-book and handed
him paper supposing it to be the note
which he had drawn up, and signed by
himself, all ready for fathers signature.
verify believe that if the paper had
been what Squire Black thought it to
be father could not have refused to sign
it; but it so happened that he had made
mistake and left the note at home and
had substituted for it another paper.


A shade of vexation passed over the
'Squire's face when he discovered the
mistake, but he at once recovered his
good humor and said


"Never mind; will call again this
evening"" and hastily mounted his horse
and rode away.


Father looked troubled, and turning to
me said, " do not like to endorse for
any one, but Squire Black will be in
suited if 1 should refuse, and as he is
rich suppose there can be no danger
about it. 1t is only complying with a
legal form and suppose 1 shall be
obliged to do So"


Before / could reply, the barn door
opened and Mr.. Day came out; he was
pale and deeply agitated, and when he
spoke should not have recognized his
voice. Calling my father by name he
| said:


" believe you are in danger, and if
you listen to me will give you a chap
ter from my own history that / had
never intended should be known to any
one in this neighborhood.


Father motioned for me to leave,
thinking that Mr.. Day wished to speak
to him alone. He noticed it, however,
and said


"No, let him stay, for he cannot
learn too soon what my experience
teaches. would be willing that it
should be published to the world if there
by some could be saved from bitter ex-
perience. 1 overheard, as you know,
what Squire Black said to you. Listen
to my story and then decide as to wheth-
er you will put your name on his note.
=" Fifteen years ago, when was married,
L was not the poor man that you know
me to be- My father gave me as my share
Of his property two thousand dollars,
which had increased to three, and my
wife received as her wedding portion one
thousand dollars. We were both strong
and willing to work, and ambitious to
succeed in the world, and we bought a
good farm, running in debt a few
hundred dollars. For several years