Friends and Neighbors | Page 7

it."
"Are you much pressed for money just now, George?"
"I have a note in bank of three hundred, which falls due to-morrow, and
one of two hundred and fifty on Saturday. Twenty-five dollars at least
will be required to pay off my hands; and besides this, our quarter's rent
is due on Monday, and my shop rent next Wednesday. Then there are
other little bills I wanted to settle, our own wants to be supplied, &c."
"Why don't you call on those persons you spoke of; perhaps they would
pay you?"
"I have sent their bills in, but if I call on them so soon I might perhaps
affront them, and cause them to take their work away; and that I don't
want to do. However, I think I shall have to do it, let the consequence
be what it may."
"Perhaps you could borrow what you need, George, for a few days."
"I suppose I could; but see the inconvenience and trouble it puts me to.
I was so certain of getting Hillman's money to meet these two notes,
that I failed to make any other provision."
"That would not have been enough of itself."
"No, but I have a hundred on hand; the two together would have paid
them, and left enough for my workmen too."
As early as practicable the next morning Mr. Allison started forth to
raise the amount necessary to carry him safely through the week. He
thought it better to try to collect some of the amounts owing to him
than to borrow. He first called on a wealthy merchant, whose annual
income was something near five thousand.
"Good morning, Mr. Allison," said he, as that individual entered his
counting-room. "I suppose you want some money."
"I should like a little, Mr. Chapin, if you please."
"Well, I intended coming down to see you, but I have been so busy that

I have not been able. That carriage of mine which you did up a few
weeks ago does not suit me altogether."
"What is the matter with it?"
"I don't like the style of trimming, for one thing; it has a common look
to me."
"It is precisely what Mrs. Chapin ordered. You told me to suit her."
"Yes, but did she not tell you to trim it like General Spangler's?"
"I am very much mistaken, Mr. Chapin, if it is not precisely like his."
"Oh! no; his has a much richer look than mine."
"The style of trimming is just the same, Mr. Chapin; but you certainly
did not suppose that a carriage trimmed with worsted lace, would look
as well as one trimmed with silk lace?"
"No, of course not; but there are some other little things about it that
don't suit me. I will send my man down with it to-day, and he will show
you what they are. I would like to have it to-morrow afternoon, to take
my family out in. Call up on Monday, and we will have a settlement."
Mr. Allison next called at the office of a young lawyer, who had lately
come into possession of an estate valued at one hundred thousand
dollars. Mr. Allison's bill was three hundred dollars, which his young
friend assured him he would settle immediately, only that there was a
slight error in the way it was made out, and not having the bill with him,
he could not now correct it.
He would call on Mr. Allison with it, sometime during the next week,
and settle it.
A Custom-House gentleman was next sought, but his time had been so
much taken up with his official duties, that he had not yet been able to
examine the bill. He had no doubt but it was all correct; still, as he was
not accustomed to doing business in a loose way, he must claim Mr.
Allison's indulgence a few days longer.
Almost disheartened, Mr. Allison entered the store of the last individual
who was indebted to him for any considerable amount, not daring to
hope that he would be any more successful with him than with the
others he had called on. But he was successful; the bill, which
amounted to near one hundred and fifty dollars, was promptly paid, Mr.
Allison's pocket, in consequence, that much heavier, and his heart that
much lighter. Fifty dollars was yet lacking of the sum requisite for that
day. After calling on two or three individuals, this amount was obtained,

with the promise of being returned by the middle of the next week.
"I shall have hard work to get through to-day, I know," said he to
himself, as he sat at his desk on the following morning.
"Two hundred and fifty dollars to be raised by borrowing. I don't know
where I can