Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-09-27

large sums but made the out |
lay with Judgment and discretion.
The result exceeded his most saneuine
His store was continually |
crowded with customers, with genuine
bona .fde customers, and with but a !
small proportion of gadders and fancy
shoppers. The newspapers had borne
to the best families in the city and
country full descriptions Of his stock.
His name was rs familiar as "house-
hold Words" in the dwelling of the rich
and poor, of the farmer, the mechanic
and laborer.
Truly, the harvest was abundant, and
Ben rubbed his hands with delight as
he cast his eyes over the figures that
conveyed to him the pleasing result of
his years operations. He had the
means not only of clearing himself of
debt, but also of gratifying his wife by
giving her all the new furniture she re-
quired, besides handsome surplus
with which to increase business.
The new furniture was bought and
set up; every debt was discharged, the
importers and jobbers were eager to
give him unlimited credit.
One day while he was Illuminating on
this pleasant state of affairs, Joe Wes-
ton entered the store, For some months
past the intercourse between the young
merchants had not been as cordial as
formerly. Joe's nice things had rather
"set him up" some Of the upper ten
had condescended to visit him, and he
attended the "Almack" parties with
| his wife. lrsta sl}aasa tsu +e i
He was getting ahead fast in his own
contempt for the slow motion of his
friend. But when, in the middle of the
year, he found himself running down
hill, and discovered that Ben's store
was crowded with shoppers while his
own was empty, @ feeling of envy took
possession of him. Ben must be under
selling, and sooner or later the conse-
quences would appear.
The prosperous merchant could not
but notice the detected mein of his
friend, as he entered the store.
How are you, Joe? You are almost
a stranger, lately. Where do you keep
yourself?' asked Ben.
Business, Ben, business p replied
Joe, demurely.
"Good business before pleasure"
" Anything over to-day?" asked Joe;
but the query was not put in that
elastic tone which had distinguished
him in former days. ..,..
I" A trife; how much do you want ?"
replied Ben, promptly.
! "To tell the truth, I am bang up; ,
have note for two hundred to pay,
and I have not raised the first dollar to-
ward it." ...
"You are late, it is half past one,"
replied Ben, consulting his watch.
"Ben, ! am in a tight place." said
Joe, i'll 8. low, solemn tone.
Indeed l am sorry to hear it, !"
and Ben's face wore an expression of
sincere sympathy. 1t is nothing Sc
rious, I hope"
| ~ am afraid So"
"What can l do for your" and the
young man took down his check-hook
and examined the state of his bank &C
count.
81 can give you check for three
hundred if that will 90 you any good"
ne continued, taking up the pen to fill
up the blank.
"Thank you, Ben, you are very
kind, but I don't know as I ought to
take it,"
Not take it Why not?"
If should pay this note, there is
hardly a possibility that I could get
thro' the month"
So bad as that? Pom my word I'm
sorry to hear it."
"Smith & Jones advise me to make
an assignment"
How does it happen? I thought
you were doing WELL"
Business has been very dull for the
last six months. Haven't you found
| it SOP"
"Well, no, it has been driving with
me-" o
Joe knew it had; indeed his present
visit was not to borrow money, but to
prepare his friend for the "smash"
which was now unavoidable.
My sales have been light" contin-
ued he. g [ can't account for it"
81 can; look here, Joe."
Ben took down his ledger and point
ed to the account Charge, where the
sums paid for advertising had been
entered. On slip Of paper he had
footed them up.
Five hundred and sixty-fve dollars
for advertising, Joe! That's what did
| the business"
Joe was astonished. It was as much
as he had paid for fine things for his
home, and for parties and the opera;
but the investment had been vastly
more profitable, inasmuch as taken in
connection with the careful manage
ment of his business, and his econom-
ical manner of living, it had laid the
foundation of his future fortune. It
had given him good start in business,
and good beginning is half of the
battle.
Joe Weston failed, and paid twenty
cents on dollar. His fine furniture
was sold, and he was obliged to board.
But IN his extremity Ben was his true
friend. He received him into his
house, and when his business was set
tied, took him into partnership.
The firm is now one of the most re-
spectacle and prosperous. Joe, ever