Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-22

pictures were wanted to relieve the wallis.
Her husband, who had once exceeded the
limits of his means, found no great Heulty
in doing so again, and the things were
bought.
But Joe had some scruples about IL. His
notes began TO be troublesome, and every
day he was In the street borrowing money.
His business, too, had not met his expecta-
lions Instead of increasing I'm the ratio of
the first years experience, it hardly held its
own and the noor fellow bean 10 have some
serious misgfvihgs about tie future.
Before the year had half expired, he was
obliged TO introduce rigid system of re-
trenchment into his family and business ex-
perses within his means.
CHAPTER III.
Another year had passed away in the bust
ness experience OF the young merchants. The
books had been balanced, and the results
stood in black and white before them
Ben had followed up his system OF ad YER
Using through the year. He had expended
large sums. but made the outlay with ju1g-
meut and discretion.
The results exceeded his most sanguine ex-
customers, with genuine, bona fde custo-
mers, and with but small proportion OF
gadders and fancy shoppers. The newspa-
pers mad borne 20 the best families in the city
| and country full descriptions of his stock.
His name was as familiar as household
| words in the dwellings of the rich aud
poor, of the farmer, the mechanic, and the
labOrer.
Truly, the harvest was abundant, and Ben
rubbed his hands with delight az be cast his
eyes over The hgures which conveyed 10 him
the pleasing results of his years operations.
he had the means, not only of clearing him
self OF debt, but als OF gratifying his wife by
giving her all the new furniture she requirei.
besides handsome surplus with which TO
increase his business.
The new furniture was bought and set up;
every debt was discharged, and the import
| limited credit.
One day while he was Illuminating unon
1 this pleasant state of things Toe
tered the store. For some months past the
Intercourse between the young merchants
mad not been as cordial as formerly. Joes
| nice things had rather "set him up" some of
| the upper ten had condesceuded to visit him,
| and he attended the "Almack" parties with
| his wife.
He was getting ahead fast In his own esti-
nation, and cherished a supreme contempt
for the slow motion of bis friend. But when,
running down hill, and discovered that Ben's
store was crowded with shoppers, while his
own was empty, a feeling of envy took pos
session of him. Ben must be underselling
he concluded, and sooner or later the conse-
quenceS would appear.
The prosperous merchant could not but no
tered the store.
How are you, Joe? You are almost. a
stranger, lately. Where do you keep yorsr-
Business, Ben; business" replied Joe, de-
murely.
"Goodi Business before pleasure"
Anything over to day?" asked Joe; but
the query was not put in that buoyant, efas-
tic tone, which had distinguished him in
former times.
"a trifie; how much do you want?' re-
turned Ben promptly.
Ito tell the truth am bang up 1 have
got note for four hundred to pay, aud /
have not yet raised the first dollar towards
it,
"You are late; 1t is half past now" re-
piled Ben, consulting his watch.
"BeD, am in tight place" said Joe, in
low, solemn tone.
"Indeed! lam sorry to hear it," and Ben's
race wore an expression OF sincere sympathy.
"N Othing serious, HOPPER
81 am afraid So"
"What can do for your" and the young
merchant took down his check book and ex-
amined the state of his bank account.
81 can give you check for three hundred,
II That viii do you any good" continued he,
taking up the pen to fill out the blank.
"Thank you, Ben; yen are very kind; but
don't know as ought TO take IT,"
Not take it, Why not?"
ali should pay this note, there is haully
a possibility that 1 could get through the
"S) bad as that? Pom my soul, L am sorry
Smith and Jones advise me to make an
assignment"
How does it happen? thought you were
Business has been very duh for the last
six months. Haven't you found it SOP
"WeH no; Ii has been driving with me-"
Joe knew IL mad; indeed, his present visit
| was not to borrow money, but To prepare his
friend for the ''sInash" which was now una
/ voidable.
my sales have been light continued he;
! Il can't account for it's
81 can; look here. Joe"
Ben took down his leiger, and pointed to
| the account "Charges," where the sums paid
| for advertising had been entered. On slip
| OF paper he had footed them up.
''Flve hundred and sixty five dollars for
advertising, Joe! That's what did tue bust
ness"
Joe was astonished. 1t was quite as much
| as he had paid for fine things for his home,
/ and for parties, and the opera; but the in-
yestment had been vastly more prof table,
fnaSmuch as, taken in connection with the
| careful management OF his business and his
economical manner Of living, it had laid the
| foundation Of his future fortune. 1t had
! given him a good start in business, and a
| good beginning is half the battle.
| Joe IVES ton failed, and paid only twenty
cents on dollar. His fine furniture was all
sold, and he was obliged to board out. But in
his extremity Ben was his true friend. He
| received him into his house, and when his
business was settled up, took him into part
! nership.
The firm is now one of the most respecta-
| bic and prosperous in the city. Joe, ever
since he was 'bang up believes In adver-
Using. and any one who opens the Journal,
or; indeed; any Of the daily papers, cannot
of"Weston Co."-OLiUer Optic.
THE PROPER LENGTH OF SERMoNs.-A
| discussion is going on in the religious news
papers as to the proper length of sermons.
l Inc Boston OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES publishes
/ number of communications upon the subject,
which give various opinions. Most of the
| writers seem TO think that thirty minutes is
| the standard length for sermons under ordi-
| nary circumstances. One writer approves
! OF forty minutes for the morning sermon,
! less for the afternoon, and an hour for such
! startling occasions as the taking OF Rich
| mond, Va, during the late war, or the as
| sassination OF Lincoln. Allowance is to be
| made for the weather, and preachers must
| be merctful TO hearers in danger of freezing
| or roasting. Account must be taken also OF
| the preachers gifts OF speaking. An of
| hand sermon, alive with spirit and fall OF
! apt illustrations, will win attention forty or
/ nifty minutes from an assembly who Will
nod over dull homily of twenty minutes.
Reference is made 10 the length of the whole
service, and 1t is said that seventy-five min
utes is long enough TO keep the people to-
gether at one time. In reply to the remark
that there are no conversions after thirty
minutes, the Christian Register smartly
says that conversion is not the aim of all
preaching, but that instruction belong TO the
pulpit, and instruction often requires time
and patience. Some men, and we believe
that the Rev. DR.. Bushnellis one OF the NUM-
ber-haye said that they cannot turn
around" in less than forty minutes.