Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-04-19
A Shrewd Operation.

history OI DOSlOn lOI INC past uitJ years.
Among other characters introduced is Josh
Sears, of whom the following history is
told:
Those were days of sharp practice.
The principals of a concern then did not
delegate certain transactions to their clerks
as they do nowadays. Josh was an early
bird. and the sunrise rarely found him un-
der the sheets; if there was worm to be
caught he was sure to catch it.
At the time we write of, Boston con
troled full three-quarters of the West
India trade of the country, and the daily
arrival Of several cargoes of molasses in
the season was no unusual occurrence.
We have sold our birthright in it since to
New York, as we have nearly everything
else that once gave US commercial pre-
emincnce, and for something less than a
mess Of pottage.
A cargo of molasses was classified, after
being landed on the pier, as sour for dis
tilling and sweet for retail, and after the
cargo was landed and gauged by the GUS
tom house official, it was offered for sale.
II it was fair average cargo it was offer
ed to the jobbers, the price being fixed up
on the hogsheads as they ran. Josh would
often buy several hundred hogsheads, and
ro sell to the small jobbcrs; he of course
I'LL after he knew exactly how they did run.
Now overy one knew that Josh Sears
was very shrewd buyer, and how he al
ways managed to get the best retailing
molasses out of cargo, without getting
any sour hogsheads, passed the understand
ing of importers and buyers, till at last a
very shrewed importer, whom we will call
c., had his suspicious that the early
prowling propensities of Josh meant
something besides exercise to get up an
appetite.
A cargo of molasscs having arrived to
his consignment, he determined to watch.
So taking his position early one morning,
where he could see unobserved, he waited.
Not long after, a we'll known individual
was seen approaching, bung driver and
broomstick in hand, accompanied by two
Irishmen. Said individual proceeded to
try the molasses; and upon every hogs
head that proved satisfactory. be placed a
small private mark. When he had selcc.
ted the quantity he wanted, he ordered
the Irisbman to roll them into certain
position, and then left 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 ne, 81 have it, Josh,
old fellow, you are done now" lie im.
mediately procured large gang of men,
shifted the hogsheads, replacing them with
others, taking the precaution to put the
same private chalk mark on, and leaving
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
G., what are you asking for tho Els
worth's csrgo?"
Twenty eight cents"
"Fair cargo?'
"Yes. Do you want to buy?"
"Yes.r
"Go look at il now"
ayes. Where is il landed?'
This last question was almost too much
for G--'s gravity.
"Bartletts wharf Well, come along"
Arrived at the wharf, Josh cast his eye
keenly along the hogsheads. There were
his marks, all right, and then he went
through the form Of trying several hogs
heads of each tier. They proved satisfac
tory.
"Thnk it will run about like this
! G--Y
81 don't know. There it is; take it as
you find it,"
"Well, I'll take these six tiers. Send
up as soon as you can, and take of the
gauges, and Josh putting on his big S in
chalk, they both left.
Josh, as usual. Immediately ordered up
the ten hogsheads as a sample. We'll
aware Of the custom, c. had arranged
to have ten good ones sent.
In due time they arrived, and were de-
posted on the sidewalk at the back of the
store. Invitations were sent out to the
jobbers to come and inspect. Everything
was satisfactory; the balance was sold at a
handsome advance; clerk was sent down
to deliver; gauges were taken of; book.
keeper made out bills; Josh was sitting
down at the old desk, pleasantly calcula-
ting the net profits Of the dodge, when
suddenly his reverie was disturbed by the
entrance Of Mr.. A., with:
"Look here, Sears, that molasses you
sent is sour"
"Whatl'
Entered Mr.. b. "That molasses il
not what l bought; it is sour"
"Tho devil it is'
Entered Mr.. c., ioquitur. "Every hogs.
head Of that conlounded molasses is sour.
This was too much; up jumped tho iratC
Josh, and put for G---s couuting-room
G. was in.
.,Look here, c." says Josh, "that
molasses | bought of you has sourcd
mighty suddenly, or else you have given
mo what didn't buy. Id like to hav,
it explained"
Certainly, Mr.. Sears; there is a pecu
liarity about this South side molasses; i
it is disturbed by rolling the hogshead be
fore sunrise, IL invariably sours. Ihav'
been thinking that perhaps some"
Josh stopped to hear no more, but jamm
ing his hat over bis right ear, aud plungin,
his hands in his pockets, left without
word.