The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-18
1 REMINIscENCE Op nILLY GRAY.


know Of but one historic "Billy Gray. F."
Hl vas the most successful merchant OF
his time. Born Of parents poor and hum.
bic, in tile town Of Lynn, Mass, he was
apprenticed Mt an early age, and when he
had reached his majority he stepped forth
into the world with only good name TO
- recommend him, and firm will to do
right and to deal justly to sustain him.
He established himselfin busines, IN Salem,
and In fye.and twenty years he was the
weAlthiest man in the tOwn-a town in
which there resided the heaviest mer-
chants Of the State. From trouble with
his townsmeu, wherein he felt that he hnd
been purpOsely sighted and grossly
abused, lie removed TO Boston, taking his
property and businets with him. From
political reasons they had refused, By vote,
to promote him to the office Of selectman
In Salemi but shortly after bis advent in
Boston he was elevated to be Lieutenant
Governor Of Massachusetts And from
the time Of Billy Gray's departure from
Salem may be dated the decline of the
foreign commerce Of that town. She had
been the monOpOlizer OF the East India
trade; but when Gray took his stocks aud
his ships to Boston he took with him the
impulse which was to change the base Of
the India and Chinese traffic.
OF the many curious and entertaining
stories told Of Billy Gray, | will relate the
following which wasrecently given me by
one who knew him well
While Mr.. GRAY was in Salem, and aiter
he had become the heaviest business man
In tile place, hO desired an apprentice for
his counting room-a youth who should
come with the desire and will to be mer.
chant, and who should possess such quail.
tiles as would At him for confidential
clerk and correspondent when the time OF
need should come; for the merchant had
made II rule 10 bring up those employ.
eeS who were to be most sacredly trusted
under his own. eye. Accordingly he
advertised his want, and appointed time
when he should receive applicants.
Over in Beverly lived widow named
Atherton, who had been anxious to obtain
Rsituation for her son, bright. faced, fair
haired boy OF fifteen. She was very poor,
and felt that she could keep her child no
longer at home. She gained knowledge
of,Mr. Gray's want, and babe her son ap.
ply for the situation.
"Bdt,," sAid'tlie lad, trembling, ~ dare
not 90 there. lie wants m apprentice for
his counting.hOuse-AFhpprentice not to
trade, but to the profession Of merchant
The sons of rich men will apply. ! should
stand no chance
"Don't be frightened, Thomas. Remem..
Der that Mr.. Gray was once as poor as
we are. lie will Judge by their merits,
and not by the standing Of their friends
Atany rate, Il cannot hurt you to apply.
Yon are not afraid OF Billy Grayin
"No. mother" replied the boy, proudly
lining his head, al am not afraid of the
mani fear no true man, but shrink
from an attempt which Is almost sure to
result In failure, And again, know that
the sons Of more prosperous people will
be'there; for this advertisement carriesin
It's intent the idea that tho apprentice
selected is to come up in the merchants
sanctum-witliin his private office. Look
atmy clothes. They will laugh at me-"
"My boy, have seen Billy Gray
dressed in shabbier clothes than are those
you now wear. lfyOn would please your
mother. 60" .,
And Thomas AthertOn went. Arrived
At the office Of the merchant he found
score Of applicants for the place adyer.
tiSed; and, as he had anticipated, among
them were sons Of families standing high
In the social scale.
These scions Of prosperity looked down
upon the son Of the p or widow, and
stood apart from him; and they seemed
to wonder how one so low had dared to
aspire to tile position they held in view.
Thomas felt uncomfortable hut the sneer.
Ing glances Of tile better-dressed youths
aroused his self.respect, anil lie was deter.
mined, come what may, to stand Ibis
ground. .fs--s-r
BY and by Mr. Gray entered. lie was
small, wiry, pleasant-faced man, with an
eye which, as one who once merited his
reproof afterwards remarked, could look
Gre, or look daggers.n There were one
and.twenty applicants In all. Eight oi
these were dismissed upon sight. Of the
thirteen remaining the merchant selected
seven for examination that day, bidding
the other six to present themselves at the
same hour on the morrow.
Thomas Atherton was one Of the last
named; hut since he had not been pernp-
tOrily discharged, Us some had been who
bad appeared in far more tidy and fash.
ionable guiSe than he could afford, he re.
solved to bear up to tile end and lie went
away to call again on the morrow.
The first boy selected from the retained
seven was the son Of parents well.tO.dO
10 the world. Mr.. Gray examined him In
thOss branches Of education most in use
In general buslne. affairs, and when this
had been done he took him into room
where there was table with pen, ink and
paper unon II, aud gave him a short bill
oflading to copy. lie then went out, aud
closed tile door behind him, leaving the
lad to perform his task by himself
Half IN hour anerward the applicant
was recalled, and lie presented bis copy.
The merchant ran his eye over the freshly
written page, and told the lad be might
depart