The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-05-14

But YOU are Oldcran wiser, ana can thlnk
TO better purpose than can. shall have
TO call on you again..
NO, Harry. Reason has been given you
for your own guidance. Do not let it grow
weak for want ofproper exercise. i'll think
for you now, you will depend upon me to
think for you again, and SO on: until you
merely lean upon my reason. And then
where will you be when fail. No-no.-
To every man reason sufficient is given him
10 enable him TO 90 safely through this world,
and TO fill that place in it that is best for both
himself and the world. If, therefore you
have not the mental acuteness not the moral
force of character 10 occupy for yourself your
present position, you had better descend a
little lower, lest you presently fall down
headlong, and dash yoursclfto pieces. So
good day Harry! am going to New York
in the morning, and shall not be back Cor
some weeks. When return, | hope TO see
you in a more manly state of mind
But stop, uncle, don't be in hurry.
should like TO have some more talk with
you
Il can't now. Harry have good deal
10 attend TO before | go. So good day, and
try and think for yourself Remember, that
it you succeed in business, it will be the re-
suit of good will, united 10 true thought, in
prompt action
And the old gentleman turned away leav-
ing Henry Lewis 10 his own reflections, which
were not OF very pleasant kind.-For the
whole Of the day he felt cast down in spirits.
There was an oppressive weight upon his
feelings. 1t was hours, that night, after he
went 10 bed, before he could sleep. He
thought, and thought, and thought.-But, it
must be owned, 10 little good purpose; for
there was no confidence in his thoughts.
On the next morning he felt calmer, and
his mind was much clearer. On going TO
his store, he directed his clerks 10 commence
taking an account Of stock, in doing which
he actively assisted. This occupied several
DAYS before il could be fully Completed
After that, he had his books posted, and
balance sheet drawn off. Over his stock
book balance sheet and bill book he sat and
thought and made calculations for the most
part of two days, becoming more and more
disturbed in mind as the true state OF his
business became more and more clearly ap-
parent.
Five years have been toiing on here,
early and late,' he said gloomily TO himself,
after all was plain 10 his apprehension, and
now am moi dollar better off than when
began! To-day, l should have been worth
ut least twenty thousand dollars. But am
not worth one cent really. And If should
be forced TO wind up my business, would
come ont worse than nothing
Doubt and dependency overshadowed
his mind. as he bent his head down, and res
ted his face in his hands that were laid upon
the desk at which he was sitting. He re-
manned thus for some time, no light breaking
in upon him.
Day after day passed on, but the young
merchant did not regain his buoyancy OF
spirits. The result of bis examination into
his affairs so thoroughly diEheartened him.
that he could not attend even 10 his ordin-
airy business with efficiency. His clerks re-
marked the change and wondered what
could have happened. To add 10 his gloom
ofmind, his sales fell off to one half of what
thew had been, without any apparent cause.
Confidence Hoper he exclaimed, as he
paced the floor of his room long after every
one else in The house had retired TO rest
1T takes man of stronger nerves than am
To hope with the sea breaking over his YES
sell shall 90 down, inevitably, spite of'ev
ery effort what can save me? Nothingn
Henry Lewis had started in business
about five years previously, with capital
OF three or four thousand dollars. His uncle
wished him 10 take small store, at cheap
rent, and work his way upward. But he
had served his time in large mercantile
house, where very large profits were made
on the years business, and his ideas OF what
u young man ought to realize when he had a
store of his own, were, in consequence very
large. Against the advice ofsome, and with
tie concurrence of others of his friends, he
took large store, al rent Of two thousand
III IL
readily obtain, stocked it heavily.-For the
first year every thing went on swimmingly.
He sold great many goods, and set down
his profits nj six or seven thousand dollars.
After that, his sales rather diminished than
increased, and he began TO experience diff
culties in meeting his payments. Still. his
business was large, and he took it for granted
that he was making snug little fortune quite
rapidly.
Year after year passed on, and Lewis ex-
perienced greater and greater perplexilies,
until things arrived at the crisis just presen-
ted 10 the reader. And now nothing but
failure stared him in the face, and made him
halt beside himself.
4 must 90 10 ruin, inevitably! Nothing
can save me p he would exclaim, az he walk
ed his room, in deep agitation, night after
night, for hours, unable even alter his head
was laid upon his pillow, TO sleep. Cannot
keep on long at this rate; and when the
worst comos 10 the worst, and all my goods
are forced of,I shall not be able TO pay eighty
cents on the dollar
The idea OF 4 failure when he began TO
look at the result, distressed him deeply. 1t
wounded his high sense of honor and jus
tice.
q would willingly give up ALL he unused
/ in a more subdued state Of mind, and go
out OF business pennyless. But TO become a
/ bankrupt is more than can think OF. 1t
would kill me. hoped, ere this, TO have
realized something handsome. But that has
proved vain. Now would be content if |
were certain of a safe business, and slow
but sure advance towards competency
Old Mr. Law was detained in New y FORK
good deal longer than was expected. He
was gone nearly six weeks. During his alb
sence he had heard nothing from his neph-
ew, in whom he took much interest, at The
same time that he saw clearly his faults OF
character, and strove, in his own way, TO cor
rect them.
On the day after his return, and as soon as
he had disposed of various matters requir-
ing his attention, he thought he would call in