The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-03

for a steerage passage. He invested FIVE
more guineas in the purchase of seven
flutes, and, with the third five as money
capital, set sail. For two months the
vessel was ioe-bound in Chesapeake bay,
and the passengers were fed on very short
rations. This delay, however, proved
very fortunate for Aston. A German fell
low-passenger, who had made good bar
gains with the Indians in the purchase of
furs, which he had taken to England and
sold at heavy profit, WAS returning to get
stock for second venture Of the kind.
He gave Aston much information about
the business, and advised him to follow his
example. This he resolved to do. In
March, 1885, the ice broke up, and the
| vessel reached Baltimore. The long de-
tention, and the journey to New York,
nearly exhausted Astors money, and his
wits and bis seven flutes were his chief
capital. On arriving at New York he
found that his brother Henry was laboring
under embarrassments, which, however,
proved temporary. He could do little for
the new conner The latter was not man
to give way to despair. he at once en-
tered the employ of Robert Boune, q
Quaker, who bought, dealt in, and export
cd peltries. "a. .. e'.s.. =,
The wages were two dollars week and
board. By his industry and intelligence
the young beginner soon thoroughly learn
his employers business, and gained bis
| good will. He was soon intrusted with
more important business than beating furs,
and made journey to Montreal, then the
chief fur market in North America. Re-
turning with his furs, he employed the In
dams in transporting them to the Hudson,
down which he brought them in sl0op.
He speedily learned the art OF trading
with the Aborigines, and never could rise
superior to the habit of hard bargaining,
which be acquired in bis dealings with
them. .,.-1 .. .n 1s..
| HIS START IN BUSINESS.
Aston did not long remain in Mr..
Bounes employ. In 1885, in little shop
in Water street, with back room, yard,
and shed, the shop furnished with only 8
few toys and trinkets, he began business
for himself. He had then the most un-
bounded confidence in his abilities. He
was sure of getting rich, though as he re-
marked in his old age, "The first hundred
thousand dollars-that was hard to get !;
but afterwards it was easy to make more. I"
At first he did all his work himself. He
bought, cured, beat, packed and sold bis
skins. At the proper seasons of the yeas,
with his pack on bis back, he made short
excursions into the country, collecting
skins from house to house, gradually ex-
tending the area of his travels, till he knew
the State of New York'as no man of his
day knew it. He early noted the spots
which he thought would one day become
business centres and Rochester and Buffa-
10 afterward established the keenness of bis
discernment. His first voyage to London
with furs established bis business on sol.
id foundation. One of the results of this
was to make an arrangement with Astor
& Broadwood, of London, by which he be-
came their New York agent for the sale
OF pianos, violins and flutes. He was the
first man in New York who constantly
kept for sale supply of musical instru-
raents. On his return from England he
moved to little dingy store in Gold street,
where he swung out the sign, "Furs and
Pianos"
In 1890 he married Sarah Todd, whose
connection with the Brevoort family, and
little fortune of $500, gave him better
social status, and small additional capt.
tai She proved a very industrious and
faithful helpmate. About 1894 be became
able to purchase ship, in which his furs
were carried to London, and in which he
occasionally made voyages himself. In
London be became connected with the op-
eratiOns of the East India Company and
Chinese trade. China was then the best
market for furs. In 1900 he sent his first
venture to Canton, and continued to carry
on commerce with China for twenty.seven
years.
HIS BUSINESS HABITS, i.'
In 1900, when he had been in business
about fifteen years, he was worth quarter
OF million of dollars, an astonishing
amount, when the disadvantages under
which he commenced operations are con-
sidered. He had, however, wonderful
genius, and now, as through his whole
hfe' was singularly frugal His Injuries
were pipe, q glass of beer, q game of
draugnts, q ride on horseback, and the
theatre. He held in utter contempt the
dashlng mode of life of many New York
merchants, and abhor7ed note shaving and
stock jobbing. Nevertheless be was no
plodder, when Flooding had ceased to be
necessary. ,E
He was very mean. He .ouce lost
the services of one of his best Captains
and $4,000 In the bargain, BY refusing
to pay for ohronometer which the
Captain said his ship needed. The
Captain left his service and immediatelv
entered that of another house. He ran a
cargo of teas into New York just seven
days after one belonging to 1r. Astor had
arrived. Aster not expecting another
ship to arrive for months, had made no