The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-10-05
The First Adventure.

N
The following stories are told Of two
Nantucket boys, who afterwards be.
came famous in their several walks OF
life.
Captain West commenced his career
as boy on board the sloop Speedwell
Of New Bedford, and It was while in the
Speedwell that Jacob Barker, then
eight years old, came TO him with Q
ninepence (twelye and q half centsl
which he had had presented to him, and
said "Stephen, ! wish thee would in-
vest this money, on thy arrival in Bos-
ton, in something that will pay"
Stephen accepted the business, prom
Using TO give e his best attention. On
tho arrival OF the vessel in Boston, he
looked about for profitable invest
ment. Going up Long Wharf, he pass
cd table where au old woman had ex-
posed for sale, in tempting order, her
stock OF apples, nuts aud candies.
Amongst this assortment, Stephens at
tention was attracted by the sight OF
some beautiful sticks Of candy, white
in the centre and entwined with
stripes of red in most attractive
form. II was tho first Of the kind he
had seen, and he Immediately decided
on d purchase and procured twelve
sticks. On the arrival OF the Speed
well at Nantucket, Jacob was already
on the wharf, more anxious for the re-
suit OF this first adventure than after
wards OF the argosies Of wealth that
bore their burdens 10 his stores. The
hrst salutation was Stephen, has
thee purchased anything for me2' The
reply was that he had, but this vessel
must first be secured, the sails handed,
and the clerks cleared, before the cargo
could be discharged. jacobs anxious
hands soon aided in furling the jib and
putting everything in order, when they
"went below" and Stephen spread be-
fore his delighted eyes the first mer-
camille Investment. Highly delighted,
he stepped on the wharf, and was soon
surrounded by o dozen boys, with
whom he commenced his trade, and
with such success that before he had
reached the store Rt the head OF the
wharf he had sold the whole adventure
for thirty.seyen and a.half cents, real
izing profit OF two hundred per cent.
making, what he termed, "a very good
turn OF It," This was the first act or
turn OF business that this great mer.
chant and financier accomplished, and
not even those very heavy loans, to
which our government IN the days OF
her financial difficulty was obliged to
resort TO him for aid, gave him 80 much
pleasure as this first adventure Of his
boyhood.
But this adventure would bo OF slight
interest had II not sequel In tho lapse
Of time. Several years afterwards MIR.
Barker had become q confidential clerk
to q substantial mercantile house in
New York. Mr.. West arrived in Now
York an officer In the ship Brothers,
Captain Thaddeus Waterman, from
Liverpool. While in Liverpool Mr..
West had laid in IN adventure in o lot
OF beer. On his arrival In New York
he was much troubled and perplexed
for money to pay the duties, then high,
and the other matters relating to 1t.
The adventure was in danger Of being
lost, when he recollected that his old
friend and schoolmate, Jacob Barker,
was in New York. Jacob had already
some fame as o clever man for business
and shrewdness. As soon as Wes
could leave the ship, he sought out
Barker at the counting.room OF the
Messrs. Hicks, and stated his perple1-
tiles regarding his Liverpool adventure.
"Give thyself no uneaSinoss," " replied
Jacob, "on that business, Stephen.
will attend to IL for thee. Enter the
beer at the Custom House; | have
plenty Of money by me to pay the du.
ties. I will not only pay the duties,
but attend to the selling Of it for thee.
Thee only deliver II to my order when
1 send one." The next day the order
came and the beer was delivered. In
the evening, while Mr.. West was writ
| ing in the cabin, Jacob came on board
and informed him that he had sold tho
beer excellently well, and in proof
opened his handkerchief and turned
out on the cabin table large sum OF
solid coin. Tho sale was indeed well
done, and much beyond Vests expee-
tation but, sailor.iike, he showed back
tho money, saying, "Take your pay,
Jacob, as much as you want" Not a
cent, Stephen" was the response,
"not a cent Does thee remembering
sugar. ar.candyP" and with hearty good
.i,sI,n - tLa hood khhv nnPkpd - ROSlOn