Lessons in Life, For All Who Will Read Them | Page 7

When Mr. Halpin, some weeks afterwards, made reference to the right
of way across Mr. Bolton's land, and asked if he would not sell him a

narrow strip on the south edge of his farm, to be fenced off for a road,
the latter said--
"No, Mr. Halpin, I will not sell you the land; but as it is of little or no
value to me, I will cheerfully vacate it for a road, if you are willing to
run the fence."
And thus was settled, most amicably, a matter that bid fair, in the
beginning, to result in a long and angry disputation, involving loss of
money, time, and friendly relationships. Ever after, when disposed to
act from a first angry impulse, Mr. Bolton's thoughts would turn to this
right-of-way question, and he would become cool and rational in a
moment.

COALS OF FIRE.

"I AM sorry, Mr. Grasper, that you should have felt it necessary to
proceed to extremities against me," said a care-worn, anxious-looking
man, as he entered the store of a thrifty dealer in tapes, needles, and
sundry small wares, drawing aside, as he spoke, the personage he
addressed. "There was no need of this."
"There's where you and I differ, Mr. Layton," replied Grasper, rudely.
"The account has been standing nearly a year, and I have dunned you
for it until I am sick and tired."
"I know you have waited a long time for your money," returned the
debtor, humbly, "but not, I assure you, because I felt indifferent about
paying i the bill. I am most anxious to settle it, and would do so this
hour, if I had the ability."
"I can't lie out of my money in this way, Mr. Layton. If everybody kept
me out of my just dues as long as you have, where do you think I
would be? Not in this store, doing as good a business as any one in the
street, (Grasper drew himself up with an air of consequence,) but
coming out at the little end of the horn, as some of my neighbours are. I
pay every man his just dues, and it is but right that every man should
pay me."
"Where there is a willingness, without present ability, some allowances
should be made."
"Humph! I consider a willingness to pay me my own, a very poor
substitute for the money."

There was an insulting rudeness in the way Grasper uttered this last
sentence, that made the honest blood boil in the veins of his unfortunate
debtor. He was tempted to utter a keen rebuke in reply, but restrained
himself, and simply made answer:
"Good intentions, I know, are not money. Still, they should be
considered as some extenuation in a debtor, and at least exempt him
from unnecessarily harsh treatment. No man can tell how it may be
with him in the course of a few years, and that, if nothing else, should
make every one as lenient towards the unfortunate as possible."
"If you mean to insinuate by that," replied Grasper, in a quick voice,
"that I am likely to be in your situation in a few years, I must beg leave
to say that I consider your remarks as little better than an insult. It's
enough, let me tell you, for you to owe me and not pay me, without
coming into my store to insult me. If you have nothing better to say, I
see no use in our talking any longer." And Grasper made a motion to
turn from his debtor. But the case of Layton was too urgent to let him
act as his indignant feelings prompted.
"I meant no offence, I assure you, Mr. Grasper," he said, earnestly,--"I
only urged one among many reasons that I could urge, why you should
spare a man in my situation."
"While I have as many to urge why I shall not spare you," was angrily
retorted. "Your account is sued out, and must take its course, unless
you can pay it, or give the required security under the law."
"Won't you take my notes at three, six, nine, and twelve months, for the
whole amount I owe you? I am very confident that I can pay you in that
time; if not, you may take any steps you please, and I will not say a
single word."
"Yes, if you will give me a good endorser."
Layton sighed, and stood silent for some time.
"Will that suit you?" said Grasper.
"I am afraid not. I have never asked for an endorser in my life, and do
not know any one who would be willing to go on my paper."
"Well, just as you like. I shall not give up the certainty of a present
legal process, for bits