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Retiring from Business CHAPTER 9.

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TAKEN IN.

During the summer, while everything was growing, and while splendid results were in prospect, Mr. Franklin was a happy man. But as crop after crop matured, and the true result presented itself in bushels, and the prices current gave a multiplier to these, the thermometer of his feelings began to fall. He saw that he had been doubly deceived — by his overseer, and by himself. He had acquired some experience, but at a serious price.

One day, before Mr. Franklin's confidence in his overseer had been impaired, a man came and asked for the latter. Mr. Franklin pointed to where he was at work in the green house. The stranger presented himself to the overseer, and remained in earnest conversation with him for a good while. When he went away, the overseer's manner was changed from what it had been. He looked troubled. A day or two passed, and he still had a thoughtful and anxious countenance. On the third day, the man called again. As soon as he was gone away, the overseer sought Mr. Franklin, and after a good deal of apparent reluctance, went on to state that a brother residing on Long Island had got himself into difficulties by endorsing for a countryman, who had gone off and left him to pay the note, which, not being able to do, his farm had been seized, and was now in the hands of the sheriff.

"That's bad," remarked Mr. Franklin.

"You may well say that," replied the overseer. "A more honest, industrious man than my brother, does not live. He saved up his earnings for years in order to get a farm; and it is only a few months since he paid the last hundred dollars of the purchase money. And to think that he would lose everything! Indeed, sir, it is very hard."

"Why did he commit the folly of endorsing anybody's note? That ruins more men than anything else. I would not endorse for my father."

"He was very wrong to do it, sir. Very wrong. But, then the man was an old friend. None of us thought that he would act dishonestly."

"How much was the note for?"

"A thousand dollars."

"So much as that?"

"Yes, sir. His farm is worth more than double this sum, but if sold by the sheriff, will be sacrificed."

"No doubt of that."

"It will be sure to be sacrificed."

"Well, what do you propose doing? Anything?"

"We are brothers," said the man with much feeling. "We have stood by each other ever since we came from the old country. Once I was sick a long time, and he took care of my family all the while, and never seemed to feel their support a burden. He has been a good brother, and I would make any sacrifice to help him."

"What is in your mind? Speak out," said Mr. Franklin.

"If you could" — And the man spoke with a good deal of hesitation — "If you could advance me a thousand dollars on the wages you are paying us, I could lend it to my brother, and that would save him from ruin! I know that this is asking a great deal; but you must forgive the boldness of the request. A man who is oppressed by circumstances, will often presume to ask favors, the very thought of which at another time, would make his cheek burn."

Mr. Franklin thought for a few moments, and then said promptly, "You shall have it."

A light came into the man's face, but he did not attempt to express his gratitude.

"When will you want the money?" inquired Mr. Franklin.

"The sale is to be made tomorrow, at twelve o'clock."

"So soon?"

"Yes sir."

And the overseer drew a printed bill from his pocket, which announced the fact he had stated.

"Then you had better go today and have the matter arranged. Come to me when you are ready to leave for the city, and I will give you a check for the sum you want."

The check was given, and a receipt taken. Already the overseer and his family had drawn five hundred dollars. Their wages for the year was to be seventeen hundred; only two hundred of the entire sum therefore, would remain. This was July; less than three months from the time they had entered Mr. Franklin's service.

The overseer remained away all night. When he came back on the next day, he reported that everything had been satisfactorily arranged; and warmly expressed both his own and his brother's gratitude, for the great kindness they had received.

Not many weeks passed after this, before Mr. Franklin observed a change in the overseer. He was not as respectful as he had been; and spent much more of his time unprofitably to his employer, than the latter fully approved. When questions were asked, or suggestions made, his answers were far from being satisfactory. Before two months elapsed, Mr. Franklin found it necessary to speak to him very plainly and decidedly. This offended the overseer, and he was exceedingly disagreeable to everybody about the place for a whole week.

After October, when the whole result of the agricultural season was known, and the disappointment felt by Mr. Franklin exceedingly keen, mingled with a pretty strong feeling of indignation towards the individual who had led him so far astray in his ignorance — he took occasion one day, to speak his mind plainly to the overseer. Being now in possession of data, obtained by dear bought experience, he was able to charge home upon him a dishonesty of purpose in leading him into enormous expenses, under a false idea of product. The overseer had but one argument in answer to all this, which was to get angry, and become abusive. Mr. Franklin was in no mood to bear with this, and so promptly ordered him to leave his premises.

The overseer took him at his word. He had drawn his year's salary, as well as that of his family, seventeen hundred dollars in all. This, for six months' service, he considered very good pay; and retired well content with his part of the bargain.

The next thing Mr. Franklin heard of him, was, that he had bought a farm on Long Island, for which he paid down two thousand dollars cash! And he, moreover, learned, that he had no brother in the country, and that the story of the endorsement and execution was a mere fabrication, in order to get an advance of his salary, preparatory to a rupture between him and Mr. Franklin, which he knew must come as soon as the eyes of the latter were opened. And opened he very well knew they would be, before many months rolled around.


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