The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-05-08
Two Ways of Com mmencing
Business.
BY F. E. BENEDICT.

mad Deen sch00liell0Ws, and although
their worldly circumstances were not in
unison, remained in after life fast friends.
Alfred, on coming of age. succeeded to
quite nice property; whilst a few hun
dred dollars, the result of rigid economy
was all his friend could call his own
Both young men were anxious to COM
mence business, but their views on the
subject were altogether different.
81 tell you, old boy" said Alfred, while
discussing the matter, 81 must have a
handsome store and large trade; l hate
your petty small beginnings and with my
capital hope to realize a fortune in a
small time.''
"But l do not believe in these rapidly
acquired Fortunes replied James; 81
think it true principle, that whatever is
most easily obtained is least valued. Look,
for instance, at Mrs. Shoddy and Lord
Petroleum, throwing away their lightly
gained thousands without thoughtor con-
sideration, and with little benefit to them
selves or the community at large. In
days gone by, a man was satisfied to com
mence business in small way, and when
after years Of thrift and industry, he Sc.
cured an independence, enjoyed it all the
more, as the result Of indefatigabls labor
and strict economy"
$50 you would rather plod along for
years, and darken the most enjoyable
portion of life, than risk your fortune in
speculation where you saw the least
chance of failure2 Such is not my creed
He either fears, his fate too much, or his
deserts are small, who fears to put them
to the touch, and win or lose them ALL
That's my idea, james, however indiffer-
ently.quoted | had thought of asking
you to join your small capital to mine;
but with such opposite feelings, l fear
We would not work well together
"You are right" answered his friend,
your home training and mine have been
different. / have learned to estimate a
dollar at its full value. while to you it has
always seemed much smaller amount,so
we will each 90 his own way, not the less
friends for this slight difference of opin
ion.
Shortly after the above conversation,
Alfred secured large store, at an enor-
nous rent, and spent the best par t4of his
capital fitting it up in suitable manner.
His stock was purchased nearly altogether
on time, and, being new to the business,a
great part of it was found unsaleable, and
he was obligedto dispose of it at sacri.
fice Nothing daunted. how ever, he kept
adding to it daily, and sales being rather
brisk, all was smooth sailing for while
1t could not be expected that mau
doing so we'll would condescend to econo-
mize in his private expenditure. A hand
some house, elegantly furnished, was a
necessity; and then his wife could not
possibly do without a carriage Having
been to many parties be was obliged to
give some in return; in fact, to use a com
mon phrase, he was livirs fast, without
regard to the future.
| In the meantime. his friend found a
little place, just suited to his limited
means; his stock. bought for cash, select
ed with judgment, made quite an appear
ance. Judicious advertising gained him
tolerable share of custom, and his cheer
ful department and attentive manner to
his patrons did the rest. He was gradu-
| ally laying the foundation of successful
enterprise.
4 year passed. James called one Gay
at his friends store, aud found him busi-
1ly engaged at his desk, a frown on bis
brow, and looking worn and disturbed =
''Anything the matter, Alfred, he ask
led
mo, nothing in particular; this bust
mess is enough to wear man out. You
were wiser, James, after all, not to take
so much on your shoulders at once. Nc
danger of your getting swamped, eh?"
| "If there was, should throw enough
cargo overheard to Tighten the ship, wa.
the immediate answer Il advise you
Alfred, if the clouds are threatening, tc
take in sail at once.
"What, reduce my expenses? | would
mot know where to begin" and, recover.
ling his old careless manner, he chatted
Igaily with his friend 1
i n"Alfred Meredith has failed said ;
fellow merchant to James Horner, about
lsix months after, ''gone all to smash
won't pay his creditors twenty cents OF
I the dollar; where the fellows money wen
lis mystery to me. He was friend o
] yours, Horner; how did it happen-dt
i you know
], II can make shrewd guess: in thu
, first place. be imagined his capital mex
) lhaustible, ,and that the more recklessly b,
/ spentit, the greater return it would mske
!, | demonstrated with him rather strongl,
> about going into business on SO extensiy,
{ scale. 1t frightened me from part
nership, which was. at one time, though
' of. Poor MeIedith-he did not properl,
e elappreciate trifes. have seen his be,
] sweep all thew paper into the street
!, and he only laughed when | spoke of il
|. A man, to be successful in trade. mus
$ not be above econvmizlng in small way
t The waste, even in my little store, ,brough
), me FIVE dollars in six months But
t cannot illustrate the matter better for yo
than by relating an anecdote l hav
some where read
q "a Scotchman and his wife, coming I
: this country quite posr, in the course {
9 time amassed little fortune, and deter
Q mined to start their only son, John, on
large scale, with the hope of soon seein
him millionaire. Instead of becomiD
e rich in short time, he lost all the none
e with which his parents intrusted him.
Insighbor, condoling with the old lady Q