The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-09
RETIRING FROM Business.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.


Two men sat conversing together in q
store in Water street, Philadelphia, about
forty years ago. They were young, and had
been for a short time successfully engaged
in business Already, upon a capital of five
or SIX hundred dollars saved from a clerk
salary, each had operated so judiciousIy a:
to be able TO write himself worth in the
neghborhood of ten thousand dollars. The
name of one was Justin Maurey, and thai
of the other Felix Lester. The subject that
engaged their thoughts was business. Other
matters rarely claimed the attention of eli.
ther-at least when together and that was
often, for they were friends, though not as
ISOLATED as partners in trade.
'My last shipment will turn out even bet
ter than | anticipated remarked Maurey,
during the conversation.
So see by last advices from Rio,' re-
turned Lester; you will realize two thou
sand dollars clear from this operation
AT least. And besides that my little ad-
venture to Cuba promises half that sum,
net gain. Ifnot altogether disappointed in
my prospects, this time next year will see
me worth twenty thousand
Il hardly think that cards will turn up
quite so favorabIy with me- remarked the
lr end. Still, everything looks encoura-
ging. | should like, above all things, TO be
able to jingle twenty thousand dollars in a
year from this time
For any particular reason 7 asked Mau.
reg. .s-s
Tho day am worth twenty thousand
dollars, mean TO buy myself house.
Il wouldn't do any such thing
'Why not 2
How much do you expect TO pay for a
house?' -..r
Not more than five thousand dollars
'One fourth of your capital at once to be
permanently. locked up, when you can rent
alhouse Just as well, and have twenty thou.
sand dollars. instead of fifteen. thousand, tc
trade with
i can do as much business as | wish or
fifteen thousand dollars. and, beside. | have
no idea of risking everything. A house
fairly secured for my family, is something
if should be taken off suddenly
There is no need of risking all. Ope'
rate on half your capital away from home
and let the other half show itself in the SHAPE
of merchandise in your warehouse
TO be sold on four, six, and nine months
credit. Bills receivable are not always a.
good as real estate. | have never intended
from the first to risk all in merchandising
There is no great risk, Lester, if 20,
keep as wide awake as you have thus far
As for me, | am determined neither to turT
to the right nor the left, until make enough
to retire on
;. How much will you call enough 2
Il can't say, now. Perhaps one hundre'
thousand dollars --
If you should succeed in making tina
much, you will. no doubt, think two hundre'
thousand dollars but moderate fortune
1T will depend upon the state of trade a
the time, how l feel as regards still prose
cutting business with yigor. i'll am no
too old, and my health not affected by Sc
we're application, shall feel it TO be my du
ty still to go on
our duty to vourselfP
$ o myself and. family, of course. N
i, one else, i believe, has any claims upo
, me- ....e,.,:..t.,
, Then understand you, that your sol
. end in prosecuting business is, that you ma
accumulate afortune, upon which, whe
you may retire, and live at ease
With my family. You have stated tn
r, case precisely. And, l presume, your ow
, reason for engaging in trade is exactly tn
/, same as mine.'
mo doubt am influenced by the yer
same motive. more or less; but | have bee
a thinking Of late, that perhaps this motIv
, was not exactly the true one that shout
i operate in our minds 7'
r And why not prayf' asked aaurey,
: surprise, o. -g5u sT-v euis5 ssaf1
: Because it involves such supreme re
!. CARO- for SELF .--..-.-
II 81 don't see anything wrong in that
. Every one regards self in business. FL
]. what other reason, pray, do you and othel
engage intrade, manufacturing or agricu
: turel' ~ fs-= -. red .-e. ttt's.
For individual advantage, Of course -