, 1859-12-30
how he 1Fade his Fortuna.

How he Made his Fortune.
It was pleasant day in August, 1855, when
John Williams and myself were pleasantly sail
ing upon the smooth surface Of the Mississippi
River. There was gentle breeze before which
our boat moved pleasantly along, and for some
time we were silent spectators Of the beautiful
scenery on either bank Of that noble river.
at is but few years" said my friend, at
length, "sinceI was clerk in yonder office; and
as but very few ever made fortune by more
bold or reckless man@uvre, | will inform you how
realized mine.
"Albert Sherman and myself were both clerks
proud, poor, ambitious, and spendthrils Each
subsistcd upon q salary Of five hundred dollars
per annum, and were generally hard up for cash,
and there were very few who wished 10 become
our creditors.
"Cannot we manage some way to increase
our creditl" said Sherman to me, one day.
"NOne that can conceive" was my reply
| Your inventive powers are not SO good as
mine" said he. "YOu have cousin in the East
Indies, reported to be worth million Of dollars,
and as have brother there also, can report
that have received letter from my brother,
stating that your cousin is deceased, and has be-
queathed his whole fortune to you. This will give
you credit, and by improving the chance we may
realize something from the operation"
mo one will believe you" exclaimed
"We will see, " was the reply.
The next morning received an early call from
my tailor, to whom was somewhat indebted,
and who usually dunned me every week. Z,
IL am very sorry" said l, "that cannot pay
you this morning"
"DO not trouble yourself" was the reply. al
called to see if you would not like to procure .
suit Of black, to dress in mourning for your de-
ceased cousin, who leit you his fortune"
! told him that | had no money; but he said
he did not want his pay for months. At last, ]
consented to allow him 10 make thcm. He had
but just left me when the jockey called TO sell me
span Of horses, SO that could ride in q style
befitting my new fortune. As be did not want
any money, bought the span Of horses, aud after
wards a carriage. aa a9
When walked the streets. was thronged
with persons who were pro(use Of Compliments
and GOOD wishes. and who mostly wished to OBJ
tain some lucrative 81. uation through my instru-
mentality, or often to sell me some real estate or
other property, for which, mostly, they only want
ed NV note. The story of my wealth spread like
wi,dlire: the papers alluded 70 my good fortune,
while every one alluded to my great business
talents and good character. unlil / even began 10
consider mysrlf a worthy man and a millionaire.
Two weeks before. could not have bought n span
Of horses on credit but now rode in my own car
riaes. 10 the astonisbment Of an. and the graft
iScstioS Of myseIG in particular. i7C' 75,z
A. Sherman had shown what he called the
o-;cn.l ls,ier from bis brutber containng the ac.
connt Of Inc death Of NV cousin. and also the
stnteent tbat his fortune was IN to me. but little
donbt was entertaiaed of the truth Of this report.
MANY sought me: nv credit was large. aud I
improved Il by purchasing large quantities Of real
estate, on which, was cO0iident, there would be
a great rise In the value BY spring. 81 ig ai
i was fortunate beyond my most sanguine
expectations, for presently sold valuable estate
for ten thousand dollars more than gave for il,
receiving my pay in shares Of the Atlantic Coal
Company, which property was then undervalued
in the market The brokers' having little conf.
dence in this Company, desired to sell mo IDoTs.
| | told them that had not received any money
| vet from the Indies, and therefore could not
purchase. They offered 10 take my note on
time, which terms readily accepted for being
personal friend Of the President Of the Coal
Company, knew better the prospects o. the
Company than many others The result Justl-
fed my expectation, as afterwards sold these
shares for double the cost te.s Va
But best Of all, my position in society now
favored my acquaintance with Mss Emily De-
lavan, the belle Of our city. This lady | had
ever admired, and had envied those who moved
in her society. was soon happy in being called
her friend. di
The Spring opened propihous % my wishes,
emigration from the East was great beyond for
mer experience; undreamed Of profits were
made on real estate; property was often sold
two or three times in a day, each time At higher
f! price, and thus We were rushing on to the acme
Of our ambition. afrs.
But my creditors soon began to notice that
no remittance cauie to me from the lndi,s, and
aiser ALL 10 make inines sun worse, 2 leS.sr ~
came IRON my cousin 70 the nrln OF bFecet &So.s