The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-20
VOL. l..
Ehe Mouse sAnd tEac Merchant.


with those in which we live The school
master, the press, the mechanician had not
then done so much for our people. Never
theess, prudent and pious men walked the
world with our great grand fathers and among
them there was one known to his cOrrespon-
dents as Mr.. Francis Fairhold, merchant, of
Cheapside, in the city of London.
The FairhodS had been notable in Cheap
side ever since it was called Wcstcheap, or
the western market. One representative Of
the family had helped to clear st. Pauls
Church of relics and images another had
fitted out ship at his own expense against
the Spanish Armada and one served as
member for his borough in the Long Parlia-
ment. Their house had been almost DESC
lated by the plague, and burnt down in the
great fire of London but it rose from its
ashes with the rebuilt city, and son had reg
ulany succeeded sire therein until about the
year 1883, when George The Second sat on
the throne of England. Johnson, Burke and
Goldsmith were in the morning of their
fame, and Mr.. Francis FairhoId was reckon
ed substantial member of the honorable
company of linen diapers.
Mr.. Fairhold remembered the bursting of
the South Sea bubble, the great frost, the
last Jacobite rebellion, and was, at the period
or our story, discreet middle aged gentle
man, plain Of speech, friendly of manner,
and attired like the respectable citizens of
the day, in ample skirted coat, clubbed hair,
aud silver buckles. Mr.. Fairhold was in
high respect among the London drapers of
those homely times. They knew his word
TO be as safe as his bond, his custom to be
large, and his credit still more extensive.
A prudent and prosperous man in every
sense, was our merchant Of Cheapside. -
Active but not over anxious for this world,
lie carried on his business with the steady
and quiet industry of those old fashioned
days, giving time for recreation as we'll as
work. His evenings were passed in house
hold leisure with city friend or two, who
frequently dropped in to supper. When
shop and warehouse We're closed. on Satur-
day afternoons he walked with his family 10
see their grand-uncle, the old farmer at
Marylebone, then village in the fields. or
paid more ceremoniOuS visits TO his knight
ed cousin Sir Thomas, who kept his coach
and lived in the fashionable locality of Red
Lion square Once a year, when business
was slack, about the end of summer. Mr.
Fairhod made circuit of his country Gus
TONERS, to collect debts aud square accounts
generally. He had no son to succeed him
Ill lll' luSlllOH Ol HIS lut even q
nephew, having been himself an only child
but, thankful for two good daughters, the
merchant did not despair of finding IA sue
ressor, and took on trouble regarding the con
tnuanCe Of his house. The experience Of 9th
crS had taught him that even paternal hopes
are not safe from disappointment. He had
seen sons turn ont neither comfort nor a
credit; and the saddest recollection hanging
about his own peaceful premises was that Of
a young and once promising apprentice, the
son of his neighbor, widow Waterton, who
had been gentewoman, and called madame
in her day. Perhaps the hoys mother had
spoiled him. Perhaps the love of company
(as he thought iD had led his youth into
snares: for, in spite Of care, admonition,
and the good order of Mr.. Fairhold's house,
poor William had got acquainted first with
stroling players, then with more dangerous
characters and at length, detected in an
attempt to rob his master, he fled the city,
and had not been heard of for years.
Grieved at heart was Mr.. Fairhold, and he
diligently enquired after his apprentice, in
hopes, merciful man as he was, of reclaim
ing him. No intelligence, however, of the
youth could be gained. His mother, weak,
worldly minded woman, after fretting for
some time over the disgrace he had brought