confide in one friend.  He went to a relative, and asked him to lend him six thousand dollars, the sum necessary to take up all the notes.  The relative was astonished at the request, and insisted upon knowing the facts in the case.  Mr. Stout made a full and frank statement.  It was met with the remark, ’Well, Andrew, I thought you would be a rich man, but if this is the way you do your business, you will never be worth any thing,’ But Mr. Stout did not want preaching, he wanted money; and as the relative seemed to hesitate about loaning the money, as no security was offered, Mr. Stout curtly told him he could do as he pleased about it; he could get the money somewhere, and pay the notes.  The money was promised, and he went on his way.

“The bank watched the young financier with a great deal of interest.  The whole matter had been discussed often in the bank, and the wonder was how young Stout would meet the blow.  It was supposed that he would ask for an extension; and it was agreed to give it to him, and to make the time of payment convenient to his ability.  Had he proposed to compromise the matter by paying one-half, the bank would have accepted it.  That would have left him a capital of nearly eight thousand dollars for a fresh start.  Had he offered his seventeen thousand dollars on condition that he was released from all liability, the notes would have been canceled with alacrity.  He did neither.  He proposed no compromise, asked no extension, and attempted to negotiate no settlement.  When the first note became due, he paid it.  He did the same with the second and third.  After the third payment, he was called into the office of the president.  Reference was made to the notes, and to the fact that he had obtained no benefit from the money.  The president told him the bank was ready to renew the notes, and to give him any accommodation that he might ask.  Mr. Stout simply replied that the blow was a heavy one, but that having assumed the obligation, he should discharge it; that he asked no favors, and as the notes matured he should take them up.  He paid every dollar due, and every one was certain that his wealth must be very large.  His manliness, pluck, and integrity, which carried him through that crisis, became the sure foundation-stone on which his great fortune was laid.  He took the front rank among successful financiers, and his honorable course in that crisis established his fame as an honest man, in whom it would be safe to confide.  Years of earnest and active business life have not changed that character, nor allowed a blot or stain to cloud that reputation."[A]

[Footnote A:  Matthew Hale Smith.]