Eastern times., 1855-11-22
Story of an Honest Man.

Years ago when the proud city Of Boston
was but brisk seaport town, with its houses
struggling TO cover the hill-sides and barren
pastures, and not very successful in the at
tempt, there lived man somewhat celebrated
in his way, who rejoiced in the name of Seth
Thornton. His way of celebrity was and still
is peculiar one, honesty. Folks used TO say
that Seth was so intensely honest, that he was
accustomed TO set aside certain percentage of
his profits in trade, for the benefit of the poor,
as an Offset to any monies he might by any
possibility have become unlawfully possessed
of without his becoming aware of it.
Whether this was so or not, he was cele-
brated for his sterling undertaking honesty land
without the reward that would seem to have
been his due. Seth was poor, although he
was indebted for his comfort rather to his
economy in life than TO his success in business.
He was thirty years of age when the story
commences, and was regular, methodical TO a
nicely in his transactions, and from that had
obtained the sobriquet of Old Seth.
So much for premises, now for our story.
A dull gloomy day, it was without, cold
within, and cheerless everywhere. The trade
was as dull as the weather, and Seth was
grubbing up old accounts with severe determi-
nation, when he was disturbed by the creaking
of the low door of his shop and the entrance
of an old bowed down figure, who barely plac-
ing one foot before the other, shuffled across
the floor, through piles of West India and dry
goods, hard ware, groceries and notions, (for
Yankee land was even then full of them,) and
depositing well filled bag upon the count er,
with the ejaculation, use for Ben Foula and
Sons suddenly shufled away. Not compre-
hending the nature of SO unbusiness like a
transaction, Seth was sometime in muse, be-
fore the idea of examining the bag left, oc-
Cured to his bewildered brain.
The first touch told him it was gold, and
upon examination it contained the enormous
sum Of five hundred guineas in gold of Spain.
Having satisfied himself as to the amount, he
turned to his day-book and made entry. RE
ceived this day 5OOg., to be used for Benjamin
Fuller g. Sons,' and opened his account ac-
cordingly.
Years passed on, and year to year the prop
erty invested in :he name of Benjamin Fuller
& Sons seemed cherished by fortunes SELL
Their ventures were successful by sea and
land, when all others were ruinous their
ships rode safely through the storms that sunk
the stoutest merchantmen, and their cargoes
arrived in safety when privateers had taken or
driven away others. So immense was this in
crease that soon Old Seth was known only as
an agent for the Fullers, and his own proper
ty increase was of little account compared with
the immense commission on their investment.
His warehouse became one of the largest in
the colony; and his ships passed in and out
from every port of usual trade on the line lad
en- with the property of the unknown. Still
was the same account on his ledger preserved
and receipt and expenditures always kept
waiting the coming Of his principal or his sons,
and their examination.
So time went on, prosperity TO the mysteri-
GUS person, and misfortune to the agent. A
new market was sought for on the coast of the
Mediterranean, and vessel was despatched
for Algiers with rich consignments. The
captain upon his arrival, waited upon the prin-
cipal merchants of the place, and all of the
Foula's manifest was in demand, while Old
Seth produced but nominal profit.
A sale was finally effected Of the whole car
go, and the merchant and the captain discussed
the subject of the new trade together. The
merchant expressed desire to see the new
country, and by invitation Of the other took
passage in his ship for America.
The day succeeding his arrival, Seth was
seated in his counting room, engaged in his
usual examination of ledgers and papers, when
movement attracted his attention, when he
saw before him the same bowed down figure,
and the same shutting step approaching.
Where is the money for Ben Foula -