The national Republican., 1867-04-23
a sharp Mola..e. Trade.

The following story Is told Of Josh Sears,
a shrewd old merchant, who hourished in
Boston in the days when that city con-
trolled most Of the West India trade.
A cargo OF molasses was classified after
being landed on the pier, as sour for distill-
ing and sweet for retail, and alter the cargo
was landed and gauged by the Custom
House official, il was offered 10 the jobbers,
the price being fixed upon hogsheads as
they ran. josh would often buy several
hundred hogsheads, and resell to the small
Ter jobbers; he Of course always bought
them 'as they run," but not till after he
knew exactly how they did run.
Now every one knew that Josh sears
was very shrewd buyer, but how he al
ways managed to get the best retailing
molasses out Of q cargo, without getting
any sour hogsheads, passed the understand
ing of importers and buyers, till at last q
shrewd importer whom we will call c.,
had his suspicious that the early prowl-
ing propensities Of Josh meant some
thing besides exercise TO get up an appe-
tite. "'.'. ,T
A cargo Of molasses having arrived to
his consignment, he determined to watch.
So taking his position where he could
see unobserved, he waited: Not long
after, well known individual was seen ap-
preaching, bung-driyer and broomstick in
hand, accompanied by two Irishmen. Said
individual proceeded to try the molasset
and upon every hogshead that proved
satisfactory he placed little private mark
When he had selected the quantity he
wanted, he ordered the Irishmen to roll
them into certain position, and then lef'
the wharf before any one was stirring
As soon as he was out Of hearing c.
jumped from his hiding place with a laugh
"Ah!" said be, II have it; josh, old
fellow, you are done now" He i'm
mediately procured q large gang Of men,
shifted the hogsheads, and replacing them
with others, taking the precaution to put
the same private chalk mark on, and leny-
ing few Of the original private inspection,
at the head Of each tier, for Josh to try.
Shortly after returning to the counting
room, Josh entered, as expected, Well
c., what are you asking for the Els
worth cargo"
"Twenty-eight cents"
Fair cargo?" /.
Yes. Doyou want to buyf'
yes"
"Go look at it nowf"
"Yes Where is il landed?"
This last question was almost too mucl
for G-s gravity.
"Bartlett's wharf. Well, come along.
Arrived at the wharf, Josh cast his ey,
keenly along the hogsheads. There were
his marks all right, and then he wen
through the form Of trying several hogs
heads at the head OF each tier. They
proved satisfactory.
Think it will run about like this
c."
"Idon't know. There 1t is; take it a
you find it," ...
"I'll take these six tiers. Send up a
soon as you can, and take off the gauges,
and Josh putting on his big s in chill
they both left.
Josh, as usual, Immediately ordered uE
the ten hogsheads as a sample. Wei
aware Of this custom, G. had arranged
to have ten good ones sent.
In due time they arrived, and were de
pssited on the sidewalk at the back OF thu
store. Invitations were sent out 10 thu
jobbers to come and inspect. Everything
was satisfactory; the balance was sold at I
handsome advance; clerk was sent dow
to deliver; gauges were taken of; bookkeep
ermade out the bills; Josh was sitting dow
at the old desk, pleasantly calculating thu
net profits Of his dodge, when suddenly hi
reverie was disturbed by the entrance o
Mr.. A. with Look here, Sears, that mo
lasses you sent me is sour"
What"
Enter Mr.. B. THAT moasses is moi
what bought it is sour"
The devil it is
Enter Mr.. c., loquituT. Every hogs
head of that confounded molasses is sour. "
This was too much up jumped the iratt
Josh and put for G-'s counting room
G--was in.
'Look here, c." says Josh, "tha
molasses | bought Of you has soret
mighty suddenly, or else you have giver
me what ] didn't buy. I'd like to have i
explained"
Certainly, Mr.. Sears; there is a pecu
liarity about this South-side molasses; i
it is disturbed by rolling The hogSheads be
fore sunrise, IL invariably sours, and
have been thinking that perhaps some
Josh stopped to hear no more, but jam
ming his hat fercely over his right ear
and plunging his hands in his pockets, lef
without a word.
LIT K H AT u n e.