p. 11 | Good Security

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1902

Good Security

“Mister, do you lend money here?” asked an earnest young voice at the office door.

The lawyer turned away from his desk, confronted a clear-eyed, poorly dressed lad of twelve years, and studied him keenly for a minute. “Sometimes we do—on good security,” he said.

The little fellow explained that he had a chance “to buy out a boy that’s cryin’ papers.” He had half the money required, but he needed to borrow the other fifteen cents.

“What security can you offer?” asked the lawyer.

The boy’s brown hand sought his pocket, and drew out a paper, carefully folded in a bit of calico. It was a cheaply printed pledge against the use of intoxicating liquor and tobacco.

As respectfully as if it had been the deed to a farm, the lawyer examined it, accepted it, and handed over the required sum.

A friend who had watched the transaction with silent amusement, laughed as the young borrower departed.

“You think that I knew nothing about him,” smiled the lawyer. “I know that he came manfully, in what he supposed to be a business way, and tried to negotiate a loan, instead of begging the

money. I know that he has been under good influences, or he would not have signed that pledge; and that he does not hold it lightly, or he would not have cared for it so carefully. I agree, with him that the one who keeps himself from such things has a character to offer as a security.”—Christian Observer.