Year: 1875

n


Conversing with well known business
man the other day in his counting room,
the book-keeper came and told him that
n certain remittance expected that morn
ing had not arrived, and they must raise
sufficient to meet note that day from
some source or other.


How much are you short ?" he asked
the book-keeper.


The amount Of deficiency was handed
him on a slip Of paper. 1t was between
two and three thousand dollars.


Now two or three thousand dollars is a
very small sum to some men, and a very
large sum to otbers-gauged wholly by
the wealth and financial ability Of the
parties. When the late Mr.. Arkwright
died in London, Rothschid inquired how
much be left; on being told near six mil
lion pounds 10000, ,00o),--a colossal sum
in those days" Poor man !" exclaimed
Rothschild, 81 thought he was in better
circumstances :"


When our friend looked at the paper
given to him by the book keeper, lie re-
marked to Us:


"This is one Of the disagrceablo duties
that all business men have to perform
procure money at n moments notice to
meet the non-arriyal Of expected sums Of
money"


This led to considerable conversation
on the subject, during which be stated
that book might be written from the
actual experience Of nearly every business
man, that would be more interesting than
any Of the so-cslled sensation stories OF
the day. I" ! have frequently had call.
on me for short loans, when perhaps !
was unable TO accommodate the parties,
that has called forth an extremity Of an
guish painful to witness. One case in
particular ] recall to mind the party is
now one Of our wealthiest merchants and
between you and me-" said my friend,
dropping his voice so as not to be over
heard, you would open your eyes wide
i'll should tell you his name. lie came
TO borrow only about eight hundred dol
lars. Although at that time | had about
five thousand dollars on deposit at the


- EanS, yet Il note coming due in two
days, would take nearly all of it, and il
was then in the hight Of the panic time
when money was commanding whatever
interest might be asked for it. In ordi.
nary times the banks will loan man in
good standing all he needs, but they had
already accommodated to their utmost
limit. ] felt compelled to declare my
inability to assist him. The sudden shift
of expression in the face Of the borrower
struck me with terror. AS be was leav-
ing the store-his hand was on the door
i called him by name. He stopped,
but did not turn his face toward me-
Well he muttered. | took his hand
it was cold as ice. drew him aside and
in "A few hurried words told him my own
position, aud | added But / will ac,
commodate you, for Judge that the con.
sequences of my refusal will be n serious
thing lie burst into tears and sobbed
1T is even Of life ond DEATH. lie con.
tcssed that he had determined to destroy
himself rather than bear the disgrace OF
failure. l gave him my check for the
amount and he left my counting room "a
happy man. The money was repaid the
second day after in season to make good
the deficiency in my own note"


My friend arose, and as we were leav-
ing the store he remarked with Il smile,
THAT eight hundred dollars was n small
biscuit east upon the waters. 1t has
been the means Of bringing ms back over
twenty thousaad dollars. lie pro ured
for US the exclusive agency Of large
manufacturer in Europe, whose goods
are in constant demand here, and -" as
we parted, - am going to my eight
hundred dollar friend to borrow Just
twenty one hundred dollars-and | shall
get it, too "