ect, possibly, that he might have failed for every dollar
that he was worth, and you would have lost $5,000. You possibly forget
that you have risked $5,000 without even the prospect of one cent in
return. This is the worst kind of hazard. But let us see--by and by the
same favor is again asked, and you again comply; you have fixed the
impression in your mind that it is perfectly safe to endorse his notes
without security. This man is getting money too easily. All he has to
do is take the note to the bank, and as either you or he are considered
good for it, he gets his cash. He gets the money, for the time being,
without an effort. Now mark the result: He sees a chance for speculation
outside of his business--a temporary investment of only $10,000 is
required. It is sure to come back even before the note is due. He places
the amount before you and you sign in a mechanical way.

Being firmly convinced that your friend is perfectly responsible, you
endorse his notes as a matter of course. But the speculation does not
develop as soon as was expected. However, "it is all right; all that is
needed is another $10,000 note to take up the former one at the bank."
Before this comes due the speculation turns out a dead loss. This friend
does not tell you that he has lost one-half his fortune--he does not
even tell you that he has speculated at all. But he is now thoroughly
excited, he sees men all around making money--we seldom hear of the
losers--"he looks for his money where he lost it." He gets you to
endorse other notes at different times upon different pretenses until
suddenly you are aware that your friend has lost all his fortune and all
of yours. But you do not reflect that you have ruined him as well as he
has ruined you.

All this could have been avoided by your GENTLEMANLY but BUSINESS-LIKE
BEARING on the start. If you had said: "You are my neighbor, and of
course, if my name will be of use to you at the bank, you can have it.
All I ask is security. I do not at all distrust you, or your plan, but I
always give security when I ask such a favor and I presume that you do."
If you had simply asked security he could not have gone beyond his
tether, and, possibly, very likely would not have speculated at all.
What the world demands is thinking men. Let justice rule in all business
transactions. How many men would not waste another man's property, but
would waste that which belongs to his family! Ah! we want more men who
wil