Every failure depleted the resources of other concerns.

Loss after loss ensued, until a total paralysis of business set in.

Every weak spot was discovered and houses that otherwise would have been strong were borne down largely because our country lacked a proper banking system.
We had not much reason to be anxious about our debts.

Not what we had to pay of our own debts could give us much trouble, but rather what we might have to pay for our debtors.

It was not our bills payable but our bills receivable which required attention, for we soon had to begin meeting both.