The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-02-20

tAll old fashioned. Made last fall-and all
out Of date. tried John to give me a barege,
but he would not
/ am sure, if had your dresses, I should
think Iwere a princess
'Pshaw Ifmy husband don't give me anoth-
er next week, shan't 60 to church but once
month
If had your dresses, Ellen. should not
think of another, for year at least
Why don't you dress better, Sarah?'
I can't afford to do so.'
.Poohr
my mother thinks dress well enough
why, you have worn the same dress to
meeting every Sunday for a year.
And probably shall wear it every Sunday
for the next yearp @-+
I wouldn't, if I were you'
i can't afford new dress every month";
/ was speaking The other day about having one
more dress, but mother said SO much aganstit
that l gave up the idea
Tied to your mothers apron string yet?
sneered Mrs. Farmer.
/ am too thankful to get my mothers ad
vice, to regret it.
But get the raw silk, do! 1t will become
spite from that everlasting fawn-color!'
No, have made up my mind not to have it. ,
Put the money into your stomach instead,
and get the dyspepsia in the bargain? said Mrs.
Farmer, as she took her leave.
The long run tells the story; so let US step
forward a few years. and look into the count
ing room Of our clerks.
James and John are still there, and occupy
ing the same relative positions. Their salaries
have been raised. and for three years they have
been the recipients of the handsome sum Of
fourteen hundred a year.
The first of January is at hand. Harris e.
Co. are about to dissolve, and the senior, who
has made princely fortune-and is queer
old fellow at that's about to form new CO.
partnership.
Boys says old Mr.. Harris, you have been
with me long while; l suppose you want to
90 ahead and become merchants?'
The boys acknowledged the corn and
John Farmer winked significantly at his asso-
clates. ---. ..-... -..
But continued the patrarchal merchant,
to get ahead in business, requires certain quail
tiles of mind and body. One must be indus.
trious, economical and wide awake, as well as
shrewd. Driving fast horses, eating cham
pagne suppers, and sucking mint juleps, do not
furnish the necessary schooling for a merchant.
| W ont preach, however. In one word, the lst
of January is close upon us. Those o, you
who can put two thousand dollars into the con-
Germ shall draw a sixth of the profits! That's
ALL
The old fellow turned on his heel, picked up
his hat and left the counting-room.
James Bradley was the only one of the num-
ber-four in all-who could face the music.
The other three had perfected themselves in
the art of driving 2:4O horses, drinking cherry
cobblers. and eating good dinners; which Mr.,
Harris had hinted was not necessary qualti-
cation for one of his partners.
John Farmers surplus had been spent IN
giving his wife one more dress AS his salary
increased from year to year 'one more dress
was oftener required. Beefsteaks, mutton
chops and ice were unhealthy and dyspeptic il
their tendency as ever; and yet Mrs. Farmer
from the costliness of her apparel. might have
been mistaken for the lady of nabob.
Five years more Old Mr.. Harris is dead
and though the firm is still Harris & Co.,
James Bradley is the senior partner. He has
already made competence, and does large
business.
John Farmer left the concern three years ago
1t was supposed because he could not endure
the thought of being clerk under his former
companion. He left Boston and went to New
York, but lis unthrifty habits followed him.
His wife wore the greatest part of his salary on
his back; and disheartcned by his i'll success,
he had increased the number of his cherry cob
/ L Ill
tent that he had been discharged from his place
Not being able TO get another situation in New
York, he reached Boston in heightened cir
cumstances. He was equally unfortunate there
The toddy blossoms on his nose were against
him; his coat was rusty; and his breath smelt
like the fog from three cent grog gshop. His
last dollar was spent. and his wife was paying
visit to friend who had repeatedly urged her
to spend week with her, and whom she would
have been sorry to disappoint.
He was reduced to the last extremity. His
old friend and associate, James Bradley, was
now in affiuence, and able to assist him. Nor
tifyiny AS was the thought, there was scarcely
any other alternative, but to apply to him for
situation.
James was shocked when he recognized him
Dress and the, want of encouragement had
done their work.
Is there vacancy in your counting room,
Mr.. Bradey?' he asked in humble tones.
There is not John. but l will vacate place
for you,' replied the liberal merchant, as he re-
allied the situation of his former associate.
Thank YOU replied Joen, tear starting to
his eye at this unexpected kindness-the first
he had ever experienced any where, not except
ing his own house--for many and many a
weary month John had an opportunity to
contrast his own circumstances with those of
his thrifty friend. He was sad at heart--in
fact, he was ruined man.
He did very we'll for few month in the
counting room of his friend, but his old habits
soon obtained the mastery over him again, and
he died suddenly of a disease induced by dissl-
patton.
'One more Dress said Mrs. Green-the
good old lady is now cherished member of a
daughters famil ly-'is the representative of the
whole system of extravaganza. One more
dress, as the type ola great bundle of bad hab-
its, was the ruin Of John Farmer. Don't you