The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-22
From the Ne,o York Dutchman.
WANTED-A YOUNG MAN
FROM THE COUNTRY.
JEREMIAH BUMPS EXPERIEN CE
IN DRY GOODS.
BY FALCoNDRIDGE.

aoi ehO SouilSt VI NSSh, tilit tllcuSdAuS VI
these genteel young gents, find it anything
but an easy matter to find bread or situa-
tons half their time, in these crowded
marts of men and merchandise. An adj
vertisement in New York or New Or
leans paper, for a clerk or salesman rarely
fails to "turn mp" hundred needy and
greedy applicants, in course of morning
In New York, where vast number of
these misguided young men are "manu-
factured," and continue to be manufactured
by the regiment, for an already surfeited
market, there are wretches who practise
upon these innocent victims of perverted
usefulness, q species of fraud, but slightly
understood.
By confederacy with some expert
enced dry goods dealer, the proprietor Of
one of these agencies for procuring stua-
tions for young men, uictims OF misplaced
confidence, are put through at five to ten
dollars each, somewhat after this ia hion /:
Sharp, the keeper of the Agency, adverti-
ses for two good clerks, one book keeper,
five statesmen, ten waters, &c, &c, and,
of course, as every steamboat, car and
stage, running into New York, brings in
q fresh importation of young men
from the country, all fitted out in the
knowledge box for statesmen, book-kecpcrs
and clerkships,-everym morning new set
are offered to be taken in and done for.
Sharp demands fec of five or ten dollars
for obtaining situation; victim forks over
the amount, and is sent to Sharp number
two, who keeps the dry goods shop ; he
has got through with victim of yester-
day, and is now ready for the fresh victims
of to-day; for he makes it point to put
them through such gamut of labor vex-
atious mannuvres and insolcnce, that not
one out of fifty come back the next day
and if they do-hc don't erdnt them =
If the unsuspecting victim returns to the
".Agency," he is lectured roundly for his
incapacity and want of energy !-and ad-
vised to rctarn to the country and rccupe-
rate.
jeremiah Bumps having graduated
with all the honors of Snitfinsville Acade-
my, and having many unmistakalle long
ings for becoming a Mcrchvnt Prince, and
see sights in city ; and having read ac-
counts Of the great fortunes piled up in
the course of few years by poor, friend,
less country boys, like Abbot Lawrence,
John Jacob Astor, &c, he up and came
right straight to Boston, having read it
In the papers that clerks, statesmen, book
keepers, and SO on, were wanted, dread
fully" young men from the country pre-
ferred"-so he called on the sufcring
agent for the public, and paying down his
fee, was sent otto an Importing house, on
--street, wberE clerk and salesman
were wanted. Jeremiah found his idea of
lmnoEqfisfeg ,oq eg Aassss HaGkeG ,sa' is'8 8n5 III t the
present case, a large and luminous store,
filled up with paper boxes and sham bun
dies; while gaudily festooned, were any
quantity of calicoes, cheap shawls, ribbons,
tapes, and innumcrable other tup-penny
affairs.
Nebuchadnezar Cheatum, the proprie-
tor ofthis importing and jobbing house,
was keen little, slick-as-a-whistle, heavy
bearded, shaved and starched genius, of
six-and thirty, more or less; and received
Jeramiah with rather patronizing sur
vey personeile, and opened the engage
ment with few remarks.
"From the country, arc youl"
'Sniffensville, SIR said Jeremiah, 'Coun-
ty of Scruboak, State of New Hamp-
shire"
"Ah, we'll, prefer country-bred young
men; they are better trained" said Cheat
um, "to industry, perseverance, honest
trugality, and the duties of christian
man. l was brought up in the country
myself I've made myself; carved out,
and built up my own position, SIR. Yes,
sir, give me good sound, country-bred
young men; I've tried them, know what
they are" said Cheatum; and he spoke
near enough the truth to be partly true,
for he had "tried them;" he averaged some
fifty-two clerks and an equal number of
satesnser-yearly.
jeremiah Bumps grew red in the face
at the complimentary manner in which
Nebuchadnezzar Cheatum was pleased to
review the country and its institutions.
"What salary did you think of allow
ingp says jeremiah.
"Well," said Cheatum, 81 allow my
salemen three dollars a week the first
year, (Jeremiah's ears cooked up,) and
three per cent on the sales they make the
second year."
By cyphering it up Gin his head" Jere-
miah came to the conclusion that the first
year wouldn't add much to his pecuniary
elevation, whatever the second did With
its three per cents. But he was bound
to try it on, anyhow.
"Now," said Cheatum, "in the first
place, Soloman-"
Jeremiah, if you please, sir" said the
young man.
"Ah, yes, Thomas-pslaw!-Jediah,
| would say" continued Cheatum, correct
ing himself
"Jeremiah--Jeremiah Bumps, sir,,'
sharply echoed Mr.. Bumps.
"Oh, yes, yes; one has so many clerks
and statesmen in cours eof business" said
Cheatum, "that | getl their names confus-
cd Wall Iaxorninl, II, thn G..I .,lnoa