Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-22

have been in tolerable good season
had there been no other detention
but as ill-luck would have it, cara
van Of wild beasts had arrived i
town the night before, and wer
stationed on his route. The grow
ing attractions which were hun
out for public inspection arreste
his attention for a moment as b
passed, when a fellow-acquaintanc
stepped up and asked him to ac
company him inside, to take a loo
at the show.
81 cannot stop, possibly" uttere,
James. 81 must be at school. D,
you heart The bell is ringing now
-and he moved to 60 on.
80, never mind; you will be il
season. Let's go in just one mo
ment."
"Indeed, you must excuse me.
shall be late"-urged James.
"We will not stop at ALL" said hi,
friend, pulling him along, and James
for want Of sufficient decision, yield
ed.
He was no sooner inside, than hi:
attention was rivitted upon the won.
ders and curiosities OF the scene, and
school was, for a time, entirely for
gotten. At length, waking as il
were from a frightfuI dream, he
rushed from the scene and hurried 10
the schoolroom, to find, TO his bitter
modification, that his class had been
examined, and the medal awarded TO
his rival. Thus TO him was the delay
of a few moments the cause Of in.
estimable pecuniary loss, as well as
merited honor.
At the age OF twenty-one, for the
first time, he obtained a situation as
chief clerk in a good mercantile es-
tatlishment. 1t was by slow de-
grees and vigorous efforts that he
gained the position, even at that age,
and he felt very sensibly the impor-
tance OF sustaining il well. Pros
perity seemed now to favor him. and
he soon earned the confidence of his
employers. A very important
part Of the business was left entirely
to his trust, and on his part, full sat
isfaction was given, both in regard
to ability and integrity.
During his second year with the
firm of Wellman & Co., at a season
when business was very fuctuating,
and when it needed more brains
than means to make fortune in a
day, there was an opportunity Of
fered TO the firm TO purchase some
valuable stocks at very low price,
and the speculation was considered
sure fortune to the purchasers
To obtain these stocks it was neces-
sary to 90 or send to neighboring
State. The business Of the partners
was Of such nature, that at that
time neither of them could be spared
from home; and it was proposed
that James should 90 and make the
purchase, ard in case Of his success,
he was to be received as a partner in
the firm.
This was a perfect god-send to
James, and he felt sure that, as all
have their better days, his was com
ing nowl Preparations were made
for the journey al the shortest no.
tice. Clerks and masters were en-
ployed in adjusting James portion OF
the business that it should not suffer
in his absence. As usual, at the
latest moment, James found many
loose ends to gather up, which had
been bequeathed to the morrow, from
day to day, because he had not been
obliged TO care for them at once.
The journey was to be performed
partially by sea, and it was learned
At late hour, that an excursion par
Ly had chartered the steamer, and no |
one was to be taken who had not
an excursion ticket. ltI
was but fifteen minutes before the
lime appointed TO start when one Of
he partners came hastily in the
store, and asked if James was ready.
"All ready, sir," was James reply.
"Have you your tickeil'
"No, but there is plenty Of time.
have deposit to make at the bank,
ind then | shall have ten minutes to
purchase my ticket and get TO The
,oat."
81 assure you there is not time
enough, sir," said Mr.. -, growing
,xcited. "Leave the money! ] will
make the deposit-leave all, and gol"
James was fairly awake, and the
hought rushed upon his mind that
le might be too late. A thunder
Jap at that moment, would not
ave given him a more terrible
hook. He fastened as quickly as
to purchase his ticket and
hence to the wharf, where he arri-
ed Just in season to see the beauti-
ul steamer laden with passengers,
'uffing away under its burden well