To Mrs. Winslow, the shock, so unexpected, was very severe; and it was some time before her mind, after her husband’s announcement, acquired any degree of calmness. About half an hour after Mr. Winslow’s return home, and while both his own heart and that of his wife were quivering with pain, a servant came and said that a gentleman had called and wished to see him. “Who is it?” asked the merchant. “I did not understand his name,” replied the servant. Mr. Winslow forced as much external composure as was possible, and then descended to the parlor. “Mr. Davis,” he said on entering. “Mr. Winslow,” returned the visitor, taking the merchant’s hand and grasping it warmly. As the two men sat down together, the one addressed as Mr. Davis, said— “I was sorry to learn a little while ago, that you will lose by this failure in Rio.” “Heavily. It has ruined me!” replied Mr. Winslow. “Not so bad as that I hope!” said Mr. Davis. “Yes. It has removed the last prop that I leaned on, Mr. Davis. The very last one, and now the worst must come to the worst. It is impossible for me to take up fifteen thousand dollars worth of returned drafts.” “Fifteen thousand is the amount?” “Yes.” Mr. Davis smiled encouragingly. “If that is all,” said he, “there is no difficulty in the way. I can easily get you the money.” Mr. Winslow started, and a warm flush went over his face. “Why didn’t you come to me,” asked Mr. Davis, “the moment you found yourself in such a difficulty? Surely!” and his voice slightly trembled, “surely you did not think it possible for me to forget the past! Do not I owe you every thing?—and would I not be one of the basest of men, if I forgot my obligation? If your need were twice fifteen thousand, and it required the division of my last dollar with you, not a hair of your head should be injured. I did not know that it was possible for you to get into an extremity like this, until I heard it whispered a little while ago.” So unexpected a turn in his affairs completely unmanned Mr. Winslow. He covered his face and wept for some time, with the uncontrollable passion of a child. “Ah! sir,” he said at last, in a broken voice, “I did not expect this, Mr. Davis.” “You had a right to expect it,” replied the young man. “Were I to do less than sustain you in any extremity not too great for my ability, I would be unworthy the name of a man. And now, Mr. Winslow, let your heart be at rest. You need not fall under this blow. Your drafts will probably come back to you to-morrow?” “Yes. To-morrow at the latest.” “Very well. I will see that you are provided with the means to lift them. In the meantime, if you are in want of any sums toward your payments of to-day, just let me know.” “I can probably get through to-day by my own efforts,” said Mr. Winslow. “Probably? How much do you want?” asked Mr. Davis. “In the neighborhood of three thousand dollars.”