'"
"What is the meaning of that?" asked Mrs. Wallingford.
"It is understood in business circles," replied her husband, "to
mean, that a house is doing too much business for the amount of
capital employed, and that it has issued, in consequence, a large
amount of paper. Any very heavy losses to a firm in this condition
might prove disastrous."
"Too much extended?" said I, thoughtfully, some new impressions
forming themselves in my mind.
"Yes, that was the opinion held by the individual I refer to; and he
was not one to speak carelessly on so grave a matter."
"If the house of Floyd, Lawson, Lee, & Co. should go down," I
remarked, "there will be sad work in S----."
"There will, without any doubt," replied Mr. Wallingford.
"The executors to the Allen estate might find themselves in a most
unfortunate position," said I.
"Such a position as I would not be in, for all the world. Any thing
but dishonor!"
"How dishonor?" asked Constance.
"The whole estate would be, I fear, involved."
"They gave security," said I.
"But the sureties are not worth a tenth part of the sum for which
they stand responsible.
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