Up to this time I have taken up all our paper, as it became due;
but God knows how the next payments are to be made."
"I had not thought of that."
"The house of Lindsay & Co. has never known dishonor"--
The merchant wiped his spectacles,--but it was the eyes that were dim,
not the glasses. His lips quivered and his breath came hard, as he
continued,--
"But the time has come; the house must go down."
"I hope not," said Monroe, fervently. "Can nothing be done?"
"Nothing. Every resource has been used. The banks won't discount; and I
suppose they can't; they are fully as weak as their customers."
"I don't know but the offer may be useless, contemptible, even; but I
have a small sum, in good notes, that may be available."
The merchant shook his head.
"Whatever it is, you are welcome to it. Perhaps ten thousand dollars"--
"Ten thousand dollars!" exclaimed Mr. Lindsay,--"_you_ have that sum?"
"Yes,--the little property that was my father's. Let me go and get the
notes, and see if I can't get some money upon them."
Mr. Lindsay rose and took the clerk's hand with a heartiness that
astonished him.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137