The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-08-04

who is well pleased with himself.
20, so-so,' returned Arthur reaching owe
the desk to shake hands.
I've done capitally to-day resumed Sharp
ing. "A profit Of fifty-eight dollars and thr
r ty-three cents
Not clear net profitl said Arthur, opehinl
his eyes.
'Yes--cleur profit. fla, ha, ha.' And a
the young merchant thus laughed to himsel
leaped over the counter, and rubbed his hand
exultingly.
'But don't see how you do it, uttered
Arthur, in tone of nervous wstfulness.
'Ha, ha, ha. What fools there are in this
: world Leeman. Just look here, ratified the
successful merchant, as he eapcd back ovel
his counter, and pulled piece Of goods from
one of his shelves. There, what do you cal
; ;hatP
! Leeman carefully examined the article with
the air OF one wto understands the business.
! '1t's made to look like the finest Of silk he
said, 'but the great body of the cloth is cot.
ton. | never saw any like it, BEFORE he con.
tinued, as he drew out thread and ran it be.
tween the nails of his thumb and forefnger
thereby stripping off the glossy slken cover.
ing from stout thread of cotton.
'No--it's q new thing. / got it in New
York. Sold piece this afternoon-flteen
yards-for nine shilings yard. Ha, ha, ha.
mine shillings,' repeated Arthur in renew
ed surprise. 'Why, the stuff is not worth
seventy-fve cents
'Bess your body, only paid forty two
cents for it. Got it at auction. It's a new
thing. Only think--of fifteen yards made
profit Of sixteen dollars and twenty cents
'But the one to whom you sold it must have
thought it silk
'Of course she did. You don't suppose
she'd have paid that price if she didn't. But
mind tell you this in confidence, you are
one Of the trade, you know, and of course up
to such things
Arthur Leeman was not 'up to such things
but then he had not at thu moment the man.
ly independence to say so. new idea was
working its way darkly through his mind
'You didn't of course tell her it was really
silk--pure silk he said carelessly.
20, no. returned Sharping, with a know
ing nod Let me alone for that. She wan
ted something for dress, took down that
there said [, 'look at that--just whst you
want--splendid artcle--just examine it for
YOURSELF What do you askp Two dol
ars,' said l. TOO high she said. But my
dear madam, look at t--I must make myself
whole She begged and groaned about the
ruinous plan of selling below cost. At last
she hit upon nine shilings. 'Ruinous,' said 1;
'out if W mt III ,nti,r i.--i( yoi'Il promise
not to tell Of it, She promised aad--took
it. Ha, ha, ha.'
Sixteen dollars and twenty cents! NUT
tered Arthur aloud
SAY, good round profit added Sharping.
But then we must do it. Must live, you
know; and we might as we'll have their mon
ey as anybody. They've got it to spare, else
they wouldn't spend it,
When Leeman turned to his home he had
leai med how William Sharping made money,
and half laid awake and thought of it. The
next morning he walked very slowly to his
store. He was still thinking of what he had
learned the night before, and was trying to
silence the still small voice that was whis-
pering to his soul.
Its only business, after all!' he said to him
self, Il may as well have living as other
folks
1t was with those words upon his lips that
he entered his store. His clerk was there,
and the place was all neat and clean. He
had been in the store half an hour, and at the
end of that time his clerk asked him if he
was unwell
'Unwell! What put that into your head,
Henry.
'O,-I thought your face looked flushed
feverished-I didn't know but that you caught
cold
mo, no. am WELL
Arthur Leeman turned away, aud wondered
if he had been showing all his feelings. Some
how the store did not seem SO cheerful to him
as usual. The neatly arranged shelves and
boxes, and the choice goods did not look SO
inviting as was their wont.
During the first part of the day he sold some
common articles, such as calicoes, lawns,
threads, but it did not occur to him that even
he might have overreached a simple custo-
mer He did not think of getting some twelve
and half cents for some six penny prints.
Shurping did it but Leeman was not yet in
lated.
At Ter 9Th the opportunity was offered fot
Arthur to try his newly discovered plan ol
business. Towards night middle aged gen
teman entered the store and expressed wlsf
to purchase some cloth for a pair OF pants
He was a stranger, having but few days be-
| fore moved into the village.
! Il should like a piece that is good--aA
lrool, thick and firm he said, as Arthur led
the wav ta the cloth counter.
The gentleman looked over the goods and
at length his eye hit upon piece OF dark
mixed doeskin. 1t felt firm and thick and
was in truth handsome piece.
IIew is that!' said Arthur.
! Il think it will suit me. 1t seems to be
firm and good. Not quite so soft as clear
wool generally is.' -,
! 1T is excellent cloth--few days wear will
soften it, said the young merchant, trying to
appear candid.
'What is it yurd!'
Now that cost Arthur just thirty seven ant
half cents per yard, and he had intended t'
have sold it for forty.two, and had placed hi'
! urivate mark upon il accordingly. 1t was