The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-03-22
A New York Merchant.
A correspondent Of tie Baltimore
2y1Isfj,1 writaa.

A correspondent of the Baltimore
Bulletin writes:
The mention Of Emma Abbott's name
inevitably suggests some anecdotes 1
heard recently concerning Mr.. George
G.. Lake, whose elegant mansion on
Fifth avenue she makes her home here,
and to whom she is glad to be indebted
for much of the material encouragement
that enabled her to pursue her career.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lake keep an apartment in
their house which they call the abbott
room," and which they have decorated
with number of objects of art, includ-
ing portrait of it's occupant, painted by
Frank r. Carpenter. Mr.. Lake is one
of the remarkable men of New York. He
is well known as the senior member of
the Broadway dry goods house of Lake &
McCreary, but he retired from active
business some years ago. He is to-day
millionaire.
I Sr. Lake came to New York a poor
boy from New England. He obtained
situation in the old house of Ubsdell &
Pierson, and, in the course of time,
made contract for three years at five
hundred dollars per year, or an aggre-
gate of fifteen hundred dollars for the
three years. Just after making this con-
tract he was called on one day by Mr..
Crist, of Spies, Crist & Co., who said to
him: Mr.. Lake, we have had our
eyes on you for some time; your fidelity
and application 10 business please us.
We have been looking for just such
man to take charge of an important de-
partment of our business. We offer you
three thousand dollars for the first year,
five thousand the second, and seven
thousand the third" Mr. Lake replied:
81 am obliged to you, Mr.. Crist, for
your good opinion, but cannot accept
your offer" Mr. Crist was surprised.
"Why not, Mr.. Lake? "Because 1
just made a contract with Ubsdell &
Pierson." "But not on such terms as
we offer you, Mr.. Lake? ?" "No, Ger
tainly not" replied the young man.
els your contract with Ubsdell & Pier
son in writing, Mr.. Lake ?" "No, sir. :"
"Well, then it is not binding" said Mr..
Crist cit makes no difference" was
Mr.. Lakes reply; 81 have given Ubs-
dell & Pierson my word" The years
went on, Mr.: Lake supporting his wife
and child on $500 year. They boarded
in Canal street at IS week. Near the
SliIi VI tuS ti1lco ,Neulo 1uI. IItI SUI Oue
day said: "Mr. Lake, we wish to say
to you that we are much pleased with
you. Among all our young men you
have been the most faithful. We know
where you go. When your daily duties
are over you go home. We are SO much
pleased with you that we have decided to
offer you an interest with u.s." Mr..
Lake replied: 81 cannot except it, Mr..
Person." "Why not?" 81 have no
capital and will not borrow" 1t was
Mr.. Persons tuln now to be surprised.
"But, Mr.. Lake, you viii stay with
u.s." 81 will stay, Mr.. Pierson, but you
must make it an object" Mr.. Lake then
for the first time told of the offer of
Spies, Crist & Co., three years before.
This he had kept to himself, as faithful
TO his duty at $500 year as he would
have been at S5, 600 or 81, 900, though he
could not always keep out of his mind
the tempting offer he had put aside.
Mr.. Pierson said; "Mr. Lake, on
what terms will you remain with us ?"
l cannot both buy and sell the same
thing, Mr.. Pierson. If my services are
desired by you, make me an offer. 1"
They parted. The next day Mr.. Pierson
said: "Mr. Lake, my partner and my
self have determined to make you this
offer-S10, 900 per year for ten years. :"
"All right, Mr.. Pierson, accept"