4 GOOD INVESTMENT. 109

 

drawn against my last shipment are back
protested, and will be presented to-morrow.
I cannot lift them. So ends this matter.
So closes a business-life of nearly forty
years, in commercial dishonour and personal
ruin !”

“ Are you certain that they have failed?”
asked Mr. Winslow, with something like
hope in his tone of voice.

“Tt is too true,” was answered. ‘“ The
Celeste arrived this morning, and her letter-
bag was delivered at the post-office half an
hour ago. Have you received nothing by
her ?”

“JT was not aware of her arrival. But
I will send immediately for my letters.”

Too true was the information communi-
cated by the friend. The large commis-
sion-house of Toledo & Co. had failed, and
protested drafts had been returned to a
very heavy amount. Mr. Winslow was
among the sufferers, and to an extent that
was equivalent to ruin; because it threw
back upon him the necessity of lifting over

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