Litchfield enquirer., 1858-10-21
SHATTERED BY THE FIRST STORM

SHATTERED BY THE FIRST STORM
 BY T. s. ARTHUR.
 At the ripe age of twenty-one, handsome Harry Melville decided to go into business or his own account.
 Wait till you are..twenty-fve,' said liar ry's prudent father.
 And lose four years 7 returned Harry, al. most with indignation. It is folly.'
 earlier young man goes into business the of ] tener he has got to fail before he grows wise enough and strong enough for success My advice is to wait till you are thirty There will be ten chances in your favor then than one in your favor Dow'
 But Harry considered his father old fogy- ish and behind the times, and so he let his prudent counsels go for nought. He had been three years in Q jobbing-house in Market street, and considered himself fully posted up in business matters, and quite equal to the common run of merchants. Indeed, to hear Harry talk on matters of trade was quite ed flying and an uninitiated listener would hard- ly fail to give him credit for considerably more than was due.
 Harry Melville had ten thousand dollars left him by an uncle. At twenty-cne the proper | ty came into his hands. It was in the, shape of State stocks, and readily convertible into money Upon this sum he commenced busi- ness in company with young friend about his own age, and equally experienced Ten thousand dollars in cash was something of a basis for credit and although our young mo nhap bupI had T o1 lars in fitting up the store, they found no diff cuty whatever in stocking it with more than all the goods they needed. The times were propitious. Credit was cheap. Every body bought and every body sold with scarcely the formality of an inquiry as to the basis upon which confidence rested. In less than two years, Melville < Morris were doing business at the rate of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum, and making enormous profits. To marry and set up Aashy domestic establishments, came as natural re . suit. Both the young partners committed this additional folly. To marry would have been well enough, if modest Prudence had smiled quiet blessings on the rites. But as it was, silly Pride and weak Ambition reigned triumphant.
 Old MT. Melville shook his head, looked grave. and demonstrated in private with his son but Harry grew impatient at the old gentleman's narrow th0ughted interference, and finally requested him to cease repetition of language that was only felt as an annoy arce. Of coursc the father was hurt, and did not go near him again for some weeks. As Q peace offering, Harry bought a new house, for which he paid three thousand dollars in t;c for ho l>olo thousand. With the title deeds in his pocket, Mir. Melville received his son kindly, yet not with the old cordiality, for one or two senten- ces uttered during their last interview, stung him severely and the pain had not yet sub- sided
 What are these ? asked the elder Mir. Mel ] vile as Harry laid upon the table before his father the title papers of the new house. Read them,' was the smiling answer. With a halt curious manner, Mr. Melville opened broad parchment sheet. His eyes glanced huriedIy over the contents, but his face, instead of brightening, grew clouded. Explain this, Harry, he said, looking up at his son.
 Does it no explain itself, father. No
 i Mr. Melville shook his head to make his no,' still moIe emphatic.
 have always looked forward to this time with pleasure that words can hardly ex- press,' said Harry, leaning towards his father, and speaking with sudden warmth of manner These papers are simply tho title deeds of a house which is yours. Take them, as some l small return for all that owe you. A sons | debt to a good father can never be wholly can. celled'
 MT Melville was touched by this act, and softened by the manner of his son. For al most minute he sat with his gaze upon the floor. Then, looking up, he said in low voice that trembled with suppressed feelings my dear boy, it pains me to refuse what, il the generous impulse of your heart is so freely offered. But this house is not yours to give and, therefore, honor and right compel me te decline it's acceptance.'
 Not mine to give, father what do yor mean?
 It belongs to your creditors, Harry
 My creditors ! am then only bankrupt in your eyes? Father, this IS too much ?
 You are scarcely two years in business, m, son aud now you propose to take from tha business two-thirds of your original capital and put it into house fer me-
 But we have made over fifty thousand dol lars, and are actually coining money in ou business'
 Profits on paper at best,' answered tn, incorrigible old man. But my word for it, i the footing up is so large, there is mistake in the figures somewhere. The thing regart as simply impossible. You are dashing abou at too desperate a speed. my son, as I hav' before declared and just as sure as any dis astrous change in the business world take place, you will be hurried to swift destruction.
 In anger, Harry parted with his father ol that day. On the next his hank offerings wer all thrown out. He called in surprise upol ] the cashier to ask the reason. There was stringency in the market, an unusual deman,