We left our friends the Montjoys busy in their store, taking an account
of their affairs, and preparing to encounter the difficulties they had
been thrown into. They found things not quite so bad as they feared.
Should the whole loss be realized, all which they had made would be
swept off; but there would be enough to pay their debts--that was a
great comfort: and if they could but preserve their credit, matters
might all come right again. With the promptness which had ever marked
his conduct, the morning after the reception of the intelligence which
had given them such a shock, James was on his way to his friend McFall.
The statement which he was enabled to make was very satisfactory; and
would have been all that was required, could his friend have been able
to advance the funds. The pressure was indeed of a most serious kind,
affecting individuals and banks alike; and requiring on the part of each
the utmost skill and exertion to stem it through. James found that his
only resource now to meet the present emergency, was to lay his case
immediately before the Bank; if he failed to procure aid from thence, he
saw not whence it was to come. The power which by circumstances becomes
thus concentrated, can only truly be felt by those situated as was this
young man. Whether it be an individual, or a corporate body, and whether
they are conscious of it or not, the ability, for the time being, which
is at their command to afford or to withhold the life-blood of trade and
commercial credit, is the most despotic in its grasp on the mind of man
that can be conceived this side of infinite sway. It is not, of
necessity, the fault of those who wield it, that it should often press
with such sickening, despairing force; so long as enterprise shall
stimulate man to go a step beyond the means at his own disposal, must he
in some measure depend upon the aid of others; and once dependent, he
can never calculate with certainty upon enduring peace of mind. The
fluctuations in trade, like changes in the weather, baffle all the skill
of the most shrewd and far-sighted: they come at times before any
suitable preparation can be made to meet their destructive influence,
and the high-minded, honorable man is obliged to stand before the same
tribunal with the mean and designing, and for too often compelled to
submit to rules which make no allowance for character.
It was the first time that James had known really what it meant to ask a
moneyed favor. He had begun life as we have seen, and gone on, hitherto,
so much by his own means, that he felt more like a criminal about to be
arraigned, than an honest man in the discharge of duty; and nothing but
the absolute necessity of doing something to preserve the credit of his
house, and upon which every thing now depended, would have driven him to
it. He was not personally known to the cashier, and therefore his friend
accompanied him to the Bank, introduced him, and left him to tell his
own story. Fortunately for James, the person he had now to deal with was
a gentleman in every sense of the word; a man of large experience, at
home in all the routine of business, a complete financier, and with a
large share of true benevolence.
Every unpleasant feeling was, for the time, at once banished by the
agreeable, frank, and very kind manner with which this officer received
and addressed him. James felt almost sure that his end was accomplished.
He very soon, in a brief manner, related the circumstances in which he
had been placed by the sudden failure of so many persons, and then
handed to the cashier the schedule of his property and liabilities.
After carefully scrutinizing this paper with an air and expression of
countenance that showed his business character, the stern and cold
features of which damped James's hopes not a little, and at times caused
a fluttering at his heart, which he had never felt before--
'You are aware, I presume, Mr. Montjoy, that these are not only
precarious times, in which the Bank feel that the utmost caution must be
used, but the times are also very difficult. We cannot aid often, where
we not only wish to, but should feel safe in so doing. It is as
necessary for us to keep our credit unblemished as for individuals. I
will, however, lay your proposition before the Board; if you will call
again at one o'clock, you shall have the answer.'
Two long hours of intense anxiety were passed, such as James had never
before experienced. Not caring to return to the house of Mr. McFall, he
repaired to a grove which lined the banks of pretty river that glided
through the place; he sat down beneath the shade, and listened to the
murmuring stream and the warbling birds--they were sights and sounds
which he had always loved; but he now realized how necessary it was to
the enjoyment of nature's simple sweets, to have a mind at rest. How
often had he, after a weary day, sat in the quiet evening, and with Ned
enjoyed its calm serenity, and watched the moonbeams play upon the
water, or through the trembling leaves, and the bright stars coming one
by one and gemming all the sky! What pure and peaceful thoughts they
kindled, and how unalloyed the happiness that spread its soothing,
quickening glow through all his frame! How he looked back now, as to an
Eden, where he once had dwelt, but from which he seemed to be expelled
for ever! Care, that canker of the heart, had come and taken, like a
strong man armed, the full possession of his powers; tinging the heavens
and the earth with its dark hue, and spoiling all their beauties.
At the time appointed he returned to the Bank; it seemed to him that the
interests of the universe were at stake; and as he walked up to the
tall, commanding form of the Cashier, the man appeared to be vested with
a power that held the very springs of life at his command.
He was received with the same gentlemanly manner as at his introduction,
and requested to walk behind the counter and take a seat, and as though
he knew the workings of the young man's mind, and wished at once to
relieve his suspense--
'The Directors have concluded to accept your paper, sir; sit down, Mr.
Montjoy;' and James took the seat with a lighter heart than he had felt
for some time. 'They have done it in the confidence that your statement
is correct: and I will say further to you, sir, as you are a young man,
and have much business yet before you, that the manner in which you have
commenced and carried on your trade, has had great weight in determining
the decision of the Board. The times at present are very precarious, and
you will need much prudence; but, sir, I believe I can assure you, that
so long as you confine your operations to the regular run of your
business, any facilities you may need will be at your service here.'
The sun shone very brightly to James as he journeyed towards home that
day; nature was almost as captivating to him as in the days of
childhood; and the joyous shake of Ned's hand, and the calm sweet smile
of his mother, as they listened to his story, all made his heart leap in
gladness, and send up to Him whose blessing was the burden of his daily
petitions, warm and devout thanksgiving.
Thus the storm which had threatened to overwhelm these young men passed
with but partial injury. The foundation they had laid in patient
industry, prudent management, and stern integrity, bore them proudly on.
The wily plots of Mr. Cross were anticipated by the promptness with
which James attended to his affairs; and for the present, at least, the
young firm is safe.