Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-05
Misfellanp.
Skill is Capital.
GENUINE NEW ENGLAND STORY. .

es' iafhers ooy, whose parents ilved on farm
where his grandfather was born, and half dozen
miles from Augusta Me. With good com.
mon school education, and natural aptitude,
Hiram was considered at the age Of twenty 10 be
quite promising young man, and was certainly
OF great service to his father on the farm. Old
Veazie was comfortably situated as TO pecuniary
means; first, because his wants were few, and
secondly, because his land very nearly supplied
them all, But when Hiram asked his father to
advance him some small amount with which to
commence business, the old man frankly acknow.
ledge his inability, and rather wondered that his
son could not content himsef on the farm, as his
athcr and grandfather had done before him.
The truth was, that Hiram had from boyhood,
and daring all his school hours, been the intimate
friend and companion Of pretty Lucy White, the
Squire llughter, AMI this childish friendship
had rip med with years into love. Lucy's father
understood the position of afflirs perfectly, be-
tween the young people. but never interfered un
I'll one day when Hiram took the old gentleman
one side and asked him for Lucy as his wife,
Old Squire " hite, a s he was universally called,
replied kindly but irm J, that Hiram must first
acquire some trade, and means enough to sup
port Lucy before he could give his consent to
snch an arrangement. The future looked blank
to Hiram, therefore, for he was poor farmer 8
boy.
Lucy was gentle and lovely girl of nineteen,
as intelligent but she was too sensible to sit down
with him and pine over the situation of affairs
She was practical Yankee girl, and her advice
to Hiram was sound and loving.
Co." she said, " to Boston or New York
You are active, good looking, intelligent and in
dustrious; the very characteristics tina, command
place, should say, in large city, and see il
you do not find the means of earning such wages
as shall help you to lay by something too
will be industrious, IN the meantime, and wha,
little can save shall 60 to make up the sum fol
the purchase of snug little house for u.s."
Hiram kissed his little schoolma,e, and proms
ing her that she should never for an hour he ou,
Of his mind, soon gathered a small sum together
and with the blessing of his father add mother
he took the cars for Boston. 1t was his first
visit to large city, and at the ontset he was be.
wldered but seeking economical lodgns he be-
gan at once to look about himself for employ
mcnt. That he found was hard to obtain, but
he was daily growing more and more conversan,
with city life and ways, and he wrote every day
TO Lucy digest of observations and fortunes.
A fortnight or three weeks in Boston made fear.
ful inroad into his slender purse, and at the
suggestion of some new acquaintance he determin-
ed to go to New York.
Here he passed some two weeks with various
adventures, but without finding an hour of pay
ing occupation. He wandered everywhere obser-
wing and searching out places inquiring freely
of all, until at the close of the third week, he
had but single dollar left in his pocket, and
felt for the first time nearly dsheartened. In
this mood he strolled thro' one of the up town
cross streets above Union Park, and found bis
attention attracted by the operation of steam
saw mill, which he entered and quietly watched
the business of. He saw small but efficien,
engine driving four saws fed by four men, " hile
here stood at desk hard by, one evidently the
manager of the establishment. Hiram felt strong
interest in what he saw Z; there were large pile
of lumber in the building, an article he was ia
milliar with from childhood, and he watched the
process of saving it up, carefully observing t
what purpose the wood was put, and saw coup
le of hands in fu,her part of the shop engage
in dove-tailing the pieces together and formin
the lumber into boxes of various sizes He cor
sumed SO much time, and was so minute in hi
observations, than at last the proprietor came
to him. and adressed him pleasantly:
You seem to be quite interested I" h, re
marked to Hiram
Yes. | have seen good deal of lumber
my day, and was calculating how much yo
used in this way.'
We use good many feet every week."
" So should think, and best number o,
too.'.
ACci "O iCYultO eiO FCiy uCot oiUCh, di
lumber is up now"
" How much do you pay ~
twenty four dollars thousand, all Gle
and assorted"
What do you do with these boxes I" cont
ued Hiram.
20, we sell them faster than we can ma
them, for packing soap, chemicals, &C."
IT," Rather heapy for that purpose, should say
added Hiram. ....-
Well, they are rather heavy, but we can't g
boards sawed any different they are down
the lowest gauge of the numbering mills"
Hiram looked thoughtful, handled the boxe
examined the saws, talked good common sen
in business style to the man, and at last he sal
& half seriously, half in jest ...
Z" You DON'T want partner, do you,
Why, not exactly thought | had one W
would put in copule of thousand dollars, a
take hold heartily himself, | would't mind sh
Ing the thing with him and throwing in the n
chinery." e
:" haven't cot any money!" said Hira
" but will give yon an idea about this mat,
and will take hold and give my time my time
way that think will be worth as much as
sum you name, ina short time provided you Y
give me half the business"
{" like the way you talk" said the man, h
essly; )" but this is an odd proposition,
You say youpa twenty-four dollars tho
and for the boardsl"
Yes"
!" Supposing ! bring them down to twelve