The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-05-11
A WESTERNER IN NEW YORK.
LOOKING FOR WORK.

writes Francis Xavier to the Pittsburg
Eoening Chronicle, writes Francis little
money, small stock of clothes, and un-
limited dreams of future prosperity
The first day after my arrival arrayed
myself as neatly as possible aud sailed
forth armed with my letters of introduc
ton. My first call was on a wealthy
banker, with whom my father was once
we'll acquainted and on his kind recep.
tion and patronage had built my fairest
"Chateaux en- Espagne." Vain hopes
and foolish dreams; with his blaudest
smile the. worthy gentleman read my
letter, shook my hand, and informing me
that they really had no opening" wish
ed me good morning aud bowed me out
How | got out hardly remem Der, but l
have an indistinct idea of marble steps
and plateglass doors opening on to Wall
street with its busy tide of men hurrying
in all directions
Plucking up my courage, struck out.
for the second gentleman on my list,
whose place of business was not far from
Stewards retail warehouse, but this
interview was a repetition of the first,
only, as the saying is, more So"
Somewhat abashed by my unhappy ex
perience, pondered over my two remain
ing letters and settled on the one 1 would
next use.
l had prided myself somewhat on this
letter, as it was written by the Mayor OF
our town, who had remembered an old
acquaintance of his living in the great
city. But this proved the most unhappy
matter had to encounter. My worthy
patron, anxious to do me kindness, had
evidently forgotten the nature of his
younger acquaintance, or time had chang
ed the man, who was once a poor gentle
man, to rich, unman nerly boor. Present
ing my letter in a somewhat flushed way,
| waited anxiously the result of the
perusal of the document. My fears were
not grouudless, for no sooner had he
finished reading the letter than he tossed
it iuto the stove. Then turning to me.
made the following cutting speech ::
Young man, if you expect that letter to
do you any good you are mistaken. There
is the door"
My patience could have borne the re-
mark if only made to me but the slur on
my good friend was more than could
bear. Sir" said |, "Mr NJ is a
gentleman, which is more than you are"
aud turning round, l walked out of his
store
These little experiences were enough,
| thought, for one day, so | amused my
self during the afternoon by reading the
papers aud stroling down Broadway
Next morning was damp and cold, and
its drear chillness combined with the
boarding house hash to make me
thorouhgly wretched.
Wretched About Il o'clock I gather
ed courage to call on the last gentleman
to whom had letter, and my reception
was such as to make up, in great measure.
for the GOODNESS / had previously met
with.
Good, kind. d.heartea man, though he
had only advice and direction to give, he
gave it with the best intentions and in the
kindest manner. After giving me desk
in his small Office, where could conduct
my correspondence, he proceeded to in.
troduce me to number of his business
friends, and also to the exchanges, where
[ could find the papers, etc. In answer
ing advertisements | had some rather
strange experiences, some Of which shall
never forget.
The first strange adventure | had was
in consequence of answering an advertise
ment for corresponding clerk. Calling
at the place mentioned. was admitted
by Jewish looking man to an ordinary
Office, up two flights of stairs, 10 row of
I L., Dr.
After tedious catalogue of questions and
considerable higgling over the small
salary | asked, | engaged with him at my
own terms. Explaining that the cor
responding would be in the afternoon,
Mr.. Ebenezer requested that would i'm
mediately busy myself at balancing up a
set of books, which seemed princi pally to
record money operations on notes, and
extended back some time.
| was busy at them when the Jew went
out saying he would return shortly, and
during his absence | inspected the two
Offices. and could not determine from the
few papers in the drawers and desk what
business my new employer was engaged
| in. In about an hour he returned with
large package of letters, all of which |
noticed contained money. AS soon as he
had opened and emptied them of their
contents, Ebenezer set me to directing
num Der OF envelopes, into which he placed
sheet of paper having on it the sentence,
"Mind your own business"
At first was at loss to comprehend
the meaning Of this age advice, but read
ing one of the letters to which the circu
lar was an answer, saw at once what II
meant The letter ran thus :"E. t. G.,
Box, New York Sir Please send me
the "Secret of Fortune" you advertised.
Enclosed is one dollar" We sent over
hundred of these circulars that even
| ino mostly To vnuthh 10 country places,