“And he has already asked you for it two or three times?” inquired Marcus.
“Yes, sir, he duns me every time he sees me,” said Ronald.
“You are experiencing some of the pleasures of being in debt,” remarked Miss Lee.
“I hope it will be a good lesson to you,” said Mrs. Page.
“Will you let me have the fifty cents?” inquired Ronald.
“I will talk with you about that, some other time,” replied Mrs. Page, and the subject was dropped.
Mrs. Page and Marcus, after talking over Ronald’s financial embarrassment, concluded it would be better not to relieve him at once, but to let him bear the burden of his debt until he could earn the money to pay it up. They thought that by adopting this course the transaction would make a deeper impression on his mind, and perhaps serve as a useful lesson to him as long as he lived. Joseph Baker, who held the demand against Ronald, attended the academy, and Marcus, after consulting him, effected a settlement on the following terms: Ronald gave his promissory note to Joseph for the amount due, running three months from the date of the purchase; and Joseph, in return, gave a receipt in full for the demand. Ronald’s note ran as follows:
Highburg, March 12, 185—.
50 cents.
Three months after date, for value received, I promise to pay to Joseph Baker, or order, Fifty Cents, with interest.