While in the utmost doubt and perplexity as to what I should do in my difficulty, two notes were handed in.

One contained a dry goods bill which you had run up of over a hundred and fifty dollars, and the other a shoe bill of twenty-five.

I cannot describe to you the paralyzing sense of discouragement that instantly came over me.

It is hopeless for me to struggle on at such a disadvantage, said I to myself--utterly hopeless.
And I determined to give up the struggle--to let my notes lie over, and thus end the unequal strife in which I was engaged; for, to this, I saw it must come at last.

Full twenty minutes went by, and I still sat in this state of irresolution.