American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-06-14
Miscellany.
HAMMERING 1T THROUGH.
PART 1.-THE TWO FRIENDS.
BIT r. p. ALLEE.


PART 1.-THE TWO FRIENDS.
EVER since the pronounced decree that
''by the sweat of a mans brow shall he
eat" there has been an unsuspended effort
by the majority of mankind to shirk the
responsibility upon the shoulders of other
people. The desire to eat of the fat of the
land without physical labor is universal,
and upon this enc desire l find that the
general run of the human mind is en-
phaticalfy unanimous. Furthermore,
riches alone can render that desire a GER
tainty Hence we see that he who tolls
the hardest is the one who denies himself
the most He who is already far ahead on
tae road to wealth gradually loosens his
purse strings at the demand of luxury.
Gradually, l say; that is, as the purse
fills, the opening slowly increases in di-
mension.
1t was this desire-inborn, as he be-
lieved-that led Matthew Bernard to aban-
don the halfpay of a merchants clerk,
and seek for wealth in the earth; to be-
come an agriculturist in reality farmer
in deed. BIS experienced will relate, that
it may assist some and decide others in
the course they choose to pursue for the
accumulation Of money.
seWeli, Mat, hear that you have thrown
up your position in Yardstick's store,' re-
marked Harry Thomas to Bernard, on the
street.
ayes, have done so, and am now look
ing out for a chance at something quite
different" answered Matthew.
what in particular have you in view?"
think shall go upon farm" was
the smiling answer.
"Ha, ha ! that's good; decidedly the best
thing I've heard this long time. What
Mat Bernard, the good looking, white
handed measurer of calico, going to farm
ingr' jokingly laughed Harry, seeming to
think his friend was merely in sport.
you may laugh as much as you please,
Harry, but that is the conclusion l have
reached" answered Bernard and the look
of determination on his face convinced
Harry there was more truth than fiction
in his friends decisive words.
"Well, if that be so, then must say that
I wish you much comfort and pleasure
delving through the summers heat and
winters snow. But Mat-pardon me if
speak plainly-I can't help thinking you
are making fool of yourself"
mo apology, Harry. 1 know well
enough you mean right if you do indulge
in terse Terms; and as for being a fool, /
can do better at twenty dollars per
month on q farm than 1 can at twenty five
in q store"
Probably so," answered Thomas, rather
doubtfully; possibly not. In mercantile
business one has a chance for advance
ment; but a farmers man is only a clod-
hopper all his life.''
.sfhink you that Horsford or Everson
are clod-hOppers?" asked Mat, as smile
passed over his countenance.
"Oh, no. they are rich, and hire all their
work done. They spend their time as
gentlemen, making farming a mere pas
time"
"And vet heard Everson say, few
days since, that he commenced as boy
at five dollars a month and worked his
way up" calmly answered Bernard.
Then your mind is set on that line of
business, while mine is bent on going
through the one am now in. Perhaps l
NAV have to stand at the counter all my
life; but we will see about that some other
time said Thomas
"When?" asked Mat
IF we both live, meet me in five
years to compare notes." answered Harry.
"Well, five years hence we will cast the
balance, but remain friends as Of old, in
the interim"
Certainly; good day" :,
"Good day." answered Bernard. And
the two friends entered upon their diverg-
ing roads to wealth, each with hope
and desire to excel the others balance
sheet.
Matthew Bernard was an orphan, de-
pendent upon his own energies for sup
port. Harrison Thomas could boast of
parents in independent circumstances, but
not wealthy. They moved in good society,
and had their sphere of social influence
PART H.-HARRY THOMAS FIVE YEARS.
The days heightened into weeks, the
weeks ran through months; and Thomas
steadily applied himself to the never
ceasing round of a clerks or salesman's
duties Yards of muslins, silks, prints,
threads, needles and all the thousand arti-
cles usually kept in prosperous country
store, passed through his hands with mo-
notonous round. Smirks for the gaudily-
dressed customers and hurrying off with
the more humble. Uniform courtesy to
all won the good opinions of the many,
until it became general remark that
Harry Thomas was the best salesman in
the small country village of Linton
Many offers of easier employment and
better wages were held out to Thomas,
with a view to induce him to change his
then situation, but all in vain. 81 am sat
SIZED as it Isl was his sole reply. And
50 the months rolled into years; yet he
kept plodding on, with some apparent OBJ
ject in view that he alone knew of
Yet in all these years the confidence his
employer had of this upright and steady
attention to business was never mentioned
to any one. Closely had he watched the
ways of his clerk, and while he saw many
things that did not suit the fastidious
tastes of an elderly man. he would quietly
declare in his mind that 4boys will be
boys" and so seldom intruded advice to
the one who sorely needed it. However,
there was one thing he did that showed
in more than words the business opinion
he entertained of Harry's tact in being
the best salesman in town-he gradually
increased his wages until they were suf-
ficient for every needful want, leaving a
margin for savings.