The merchant directed a check to be drawn, for the principal and interest, which he handed to him, with a receipt for his signature.
“What is dis, monsieur?”
“That is a check for the money.”
“Den you pay?”
“Yes, you demanded your pay.”
“Eh! monsieur, (handing back the check)—I was alarm. If you pay, den I dont want. If you no cant pay, den I must have.”
FOLLIES OF A PANIC.
Another instance quite as reasonable, and of equal notoriety, was a French gentleman of respectable property, entirely out of business, and out of debt. His sympathies were so much wrought upon, by the reported distresses of the community, that he began to be alarmed for himself; and accordingly applied to his bankers for a loan, which being granted, he suffered the money to lie on deposit: but his excitement growing warmer, he applied again and again, when being expostulated with by the cashier, that he did not want the money, and that others did, he replied, “sare I am afraid dat dis ting will me ruin. Sare, I must have moneys. I shall starve, if I have not moneys. I must have de loan.” His request was complied with, and when the excitement was over, without ever having drawn a dollar from the bank, he paid his debts with the loss of interest, and the gain of a good deal of mortification.
These are some of the follies of the panic. The villainies also deserve some notice.
VILLAINIES THEREOF.