Finding that all his appeals were in vain, Layton retired from the
store of his unfeeling creditor. It was too late, now, to make a
confession of judgment to some other creditor, who would save, by an
amicable sale, the property from sacrifice, and thus secure it for
the benefit of all. Grasper had already obtained a judgment and
taken out an execution, under which a levy had been made by the
sheriff, and a sale was ordered to take place in a week. Nothing
could now hinder the onward progress of affairs to a disastrous
crisis, but the payment of the debt, or its security. As neither the
one nor the other was possible, the sale was advertised, the store
of Layton closed, and the sacrifice made. Goods that cost four times
the amount of Grasper's claim were sold for just enough to cover it,
and the residue of the stock left for the other creditors. These
were immediately called together, and all that the ruined debtor
possessed in the world given up to them.

"Take my furniture and all," said he. "Even after that is added to
this poor remnant, your claims will be very far from satisfied. Had
I dreamed that Grasper was so selfish a man as to disregard every
one's interests in the eager pursuit of his own, I would, long
before he had me in his power, have made a general assignment for
the benefit of the whole. But it is too late now for regrets; they
avail nothing. I still have health, and an unbroken spirit. I am
ready to try again, and, it may be, that success will crown my
efforts. If so, you have the pledge of an honest man, that every
dollar of present deficit shall be made up. Can I say more?"

Fortunately for Layton, there was no Grasper among the unsatisfied
portion of his creditors. He was pitied more than censured. Every