Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-09
THE SURPRISE PARTY;
AND WHAT BECAME OF 1T.

al wish somebody would give us a surprise
party, for Lizzie Terrence had one last week /;
AID yon don't know what delightful time
they all had, to be sure there was dancing,
and music by band, and such supper-well,
can't describe it; but Lizzie said it was so
niceI''
Thus said 4 brght-eyed little girl of a dozen
summers and added, with long g-drawn sigh,
that seemed TO come from the very bottom of
her heart ssBut nobody ever visits US that is
anybody, now-a-days!''
ssAnd does my little darling think so much
happiness would result from sudden gather
ing of a crowd in these old rooms, where We
have tried SO long to be thankful for the very
great degree of quiGtness and repose that al
ways reigns here 20 replied her father; ssyour
mother and l can, either of us, tell you diff
ferent story, where surprise party very near
ly ruined our prospects and, but for a merely
accidental circumstance, well nigh caused Bit
terness and gloom as the result of one evening
of comparative joy"
ssOh, tell ME the story, fatherl'' said Mary
81 will do Sc, my love; and you shall see
whether there is so much pleasure, after all, TO
be obtained from such a gathering, not only Of
people of whom you know nothing, or at least
very little, but of those who care nothing more
about US than to see how we may receive
them, nothing more"
s'James Sargent & Co., was the name of a
thriving firm who did very prosperous busi-
ness many years ago, in Boston.
ssStrict integrity and constant industry, being
the motto upon which their dealings were all
based, they were enabled to amass, in few
years, q competent fortune and many were
the young merchants, just entering into busi-
ness who were proud and pleased to name a
mong their correspondents men so upright and
Just and not few, through their means, OBJ
tanned credit which often proved of lasting
sit was my pleasure and satisfaction to
serve my apprenticeship in the store of these
gentlemen, and to MIR. Sargent himself, owe
much thankfulness for whatever OF prosperity
l have since, enjoyed.
ssMr. Sargent was man of sterling worth
and remarkable business talent-a man of few
words, though, when he did speak, it was as
much to the purpose as if he had uttered vol
umes.
"Un!ike Ihe customs of these degenerate
days, the men of the old school held GER
tain dignity and manly bearing that had stir
ring effect in the counting house; and woe to
the apprentice or underling who did not OBJ
serve some degree of reverence and respect IN
the presence of his employer.
ssI well remember entering the old MaSsa-
chusetts Bank, in Boston, where Mr.. Sharp for
so many years so faithfully discharged the du-
ties of teller, and always counted over the
money three times when caShing check Tor a
customer; | well remember entering the bank
and presenting myself at the counter to make
a deposit, with covered head-'Take Oft your
hat. sir!' said Mr.. Sharp, and was willing
enough to acquieSce and comply with the re-
quest on the instant and l should no more
think of remaining covered in gentleman
counting room than in his parlor. Alas! those
times are of the past, and he is STYLED an Ola
fogy who too strenuouSly insists on such cour-
tesies now.
.sOn becoming of age, through the kindness
of Mr. Sargent, 1 obtained a stock OF goods on
short credit, and easy terms of payment, ana
commenced business on my own account.
ssTrade was at that time good, and money
plentiful and easy to be had, and on very Ia
vorable terms and for the first five years, eV-
erything went on smoothly and satisfactorily
so much so, indeed, that the evil day seem
ed too far ahead as to be even in sight, cred
II had extended and a greater amount OF busl-
ness had been transacted, not only in the city.
but throughout the country, than was judged
to be either safe or advantageous; and finally
a crash came-and an awful crash it was, L as
sure you.
aMany of the strongest houses were Obliged
to succumb; confidence was lost; money BE-
came scarce, and only loaned on first-class pa
per, and at high rate of interest. Such
state of things can never exist long in mer.
camille community without being felt IN :
greater or less degree by every class, whetnei
the class be mechanic, mercantile, or profes
sional; and the suffering that ensued was aw
| fnI in the extreme. The merchant, who thoI
himself almost rich enough even to have
| dreams of retiring upon his wealth. became
| suddenly reduced to poverty; the mechanlt
| found no labor for his hands TO perlorn' ano
perfect stagnation ruled the hour. A..
e.I had lust taken in partner when tht
! crash came: and although l had been warned
| ~ examine nv accounts closely, i should no