Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-06
THE TWO CLERKS.


"And so you are going to the city to
live, are you not. George ?"
II suppose l shall. Father thinks tits
very fine chance for me and he Won
ders that your father was unwilling to have
you 20. What was the reason, James ?"
"well he said he had good many
reasons but the one he gave to Mr.. Wal
colt was, that was loo young to leave
home.n
TOO young why you are older than
am, and am fourteen. Father says he
will risk me to take care Of myself" and
the boy straightened himself up as though
he already felt himself man.
"That was only one of fathers reasons.
/ think. perhaps, hc would have thought
more favorabIy of it if Mr. Walcott had
been Christian"
"a Christian I should like to know
what his being Christian has to do with
his success as merchant. Father says If
man is honest, and looks out for the
main chance, that's enough. Walcott is
one Of the richest and most successful
merchants in the city. And only think
Of his going away from this town poor
boy with little bundle in his hand, and
entering the city stranger with only a
single shilling in his pocket And what
is he now? There's energy and perse-
verance for you ! shoula like to take
lessons Of such man."
II do not doubt but Mr.. Walcott is q
smart business man, and has become very
wealthy; but the store Of rich merchant,
who thinks Of nothing but making mon
cy, is hardly the place in which to form
the character Of boy-father thinks"
"And my father thinks just the contra
ry. He says IL lad is to become a sue
cessful merchot he must commence
young--must learn hotc-so that all the
"tricks Of trade" may become familiar to
him.
"Well. George, II / can't become sue
cessful merchant without learning the
"tricks Of trade" as You call them, viii
be farmer. Ny Bible says, "A faithful
man shall abound with blessings; but ho
that makcth haste to bc rich shall not DO
Innocent"
"Aman may be honest and make a good
trade; and don't SEQ what thero Is wrong
in getting all tho money VIC can, and as
fast as We can. Father has set his heart
upon having me rich man. and I don't
mean to disappoint him. A man who has
got money has got something to trust in;
he can "snap his fingers in the face Of tho
world" father says"
"Yes. but riches sometimes "take to
themselves wings and fly away" But
we read in the Bible. "Fcar the Lord, for
there is no want to them that fear him."
I had rather have tho Christians trust
than the rich mans"
"But are not Christians sometimes
poor? have read Of some who almost
starved and were very wretched."
1T Is true Christians arc sometimes
poor here, but that is because they have
laid mp all their treasures in heaven
And they sometimes suffer, too. but even
this makes them happy; for the Bible de-
clares, this light afIliction, which is but
for moment, worketh out for US a far
moro exceeding and eternal weight of glo-
ry." and when they think of this they
can't help rejoicing. They know they can
1.-Two here but few years, at longest, and
they had rather be rich in q long eternity,
than to have all their wealth for a little
while on earth."
"Well, l suppose what the Bible says Is
true, though father says that If man is
honest, and lives Ike a gentleman, it is
enough for him in this world. He has
never troubled himself about such things
as you speak Of, ard am sure he has got
along in the world just as we'll as your faith
er. don't see as those who profess to be
Christ ians do so much better than other
people,"
"But is Mr.. Walcott strictly honest in
all his dealings? Father thinks ho did
not deal very honorably with old Mr..
Williams"
"Honcst? Yes, heard father telling
Mr.. Wade about that affair with Mr.. Will
Jams, and they thought that Mr.. Walcott
managed 1t pretty shrowdly. It isn't ov-
cry one who can mako five hundred dol
lars earn him two thousand as easily rs
that. II was perfectly lawful business
transaction. Mr.. Williams ought to have
looked out for HIMSELF"
1T may have been perfectly lawful
business transaction; but was II kind or
right for him to take oil that property Just
because the mortgage had expired tho day
before ? Was this doing as he would bc
done by ?'
II guess ho wouldn't give any one tho
opportunity to serve him such o trick
He would look out for himself"
"Wcll, ! would rather not be In such
mans employ. am afraid / should
learn to DO dishonest Father intends Ia
have mo go into store In year or two q
he can find sone pious. Christian mar
who will take mo. And think, George
I shall bo happier and better Of to ''trust
In the Lord' and try 10 please him. thar
TO snake haste to DO rich."
@Every ono Tor their notion, James,
Father Is very much pleased about my
going, and has promised to buy me I
watch aud q new suit OF clothes to begir
with"
"When do you go?"
an about three weeks"
''And how soon do you expect to re'