River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-10-20
THE YOUNG MERCHANTS ORDEAL

dressing her young husband, sit seems
to me that Mr.. Sharping IS getting
ahead of you in business"
''Ah I" muttered the young man.
looking up from his paper.
"Yes," continued his wife. "He has
lust moved into his big house, and
expect we shall be invited to the open
ing party" .o,..o,,,oa ho.o
Sarah ?" asked Mr.. Leeman, with a
slight tinge of disappointment in his
tone.
ooh, yes, l am contented; but then
should like to have you look as we'll
that is, to appear as well-as William
Sharping does. You are as well ac-
quainted in the town and you are as
generally respected. Your store is as
well situated, and you seem to possess
all the advantages you could wish.
wish you could keep up y'ith Sharp
ing"
Arthur Leeman was a young mer-
chant located in large and Hourishing
village, where he had been in business
nearly two years. He had been brought
up by virtuous parents, and his ideas
of Justice and honesty were founded
upon deep moral principles.
shortly before he entered business
for himself he married beautiful girl,
whom he had long and ardently loved,
and who had in turn reciprocated that
love. He had received from her
$1,000, which sum had gone a great
way toward purchasing his stock in
trade.
He rented small cottage neat re-
tired abode-and here he settled down,
with every prospect of continued hap
piness; and this happiness he had a
right to expect, for his wife was mild
and gentle, loving and true, and ever
regardful of his welfare.
His expenses he carefully kept be-
hind his income, and, as might be ex-
pected. had made but little domestic
show. His comforts were all solid,
based upon the single idea of "content."
William Sharping also kept store in
the village. He had commenced about
the same time that Arthur did, but he
seemed to have more money, for he
spent more money in his living, and as
already minated, he was on the point
Ofmaking a still greater show of accum-
ulating wealth.
Sharping's wife was an intimate friend
of Sarah Leeman, and hence the latter
felt more sensibly the contract between
her own and her neighbours outward
circumstances.
In a few evenings, William Sharping
opened his house for the reception of
visitors, and, of course, Arthur and
Sarah were invited.
Arthur Leeman was wonder struck
by the appearance of his friends do
mestic equipment. The furniture was
rich and costly, and the carpets were
all of the very finest material. Large
mirrors hung upon the walls, golden
lamps adorned the marble mantle, and
sumptuous ottomans and sofas offered
their temptations to the weary.
"What a splendid house they've got,
haven't they? ?" remarked one of the
guests to Sarah Leeman.
Eyes, replied Sarah.
And as she spoke she thought her
interlocuter was drawing a comparison
between her own and Mrs. Sharpings
domestic establishment.
Sarah heard, on all hands, praises of
the things ON all sides of her, and she
wondered why her own husband could
not do all this as well as Mr.. Sharping.
She let the spirit of envy into her
bosom before she was aware of it, and
from that moment she became unhap-
by. She took no more pleasure in
viewing the costly articles about her,
and at an early hour she drew her
husband away from the company and
begged him to go home. When she
reached her own snug, neat little room,
she forgot all the happiness she enjoyed
there. She only thought of the con-
trast between that and Sharping's sup
erb parlors.
'1'm sure | don't see why we may
not make as good an appearance as
Sharping," she murmured, after she
and her husband became seated.
IL can hardly afford it now, Sarah, >
returned Arthur,
"But why not, as well as William
Sharping?"
Because Sharping has more money.
He makes more than | do"
81 can't see how he can do that. tie
must have one secret in uade that you
do not possess. 0, | wish that we could
keep up with them People will see
that Sharping is more prosperous, and
they will think him more of business
man than you are and If he once
takes the lead in trade, he will not only
be sure to keep it up, but also to gain
on his competitors. You know how
people like to trade at tlourlshing
places"
Arthur Leeman began to think there
was some force to his wife's argument
He, too, began to lose sight of the
sweet content he had been for two
years enjoying, and in the stead thereof
he was looking fo- what the world
calls plenty
He might at first have argued more
with his wife, but he remembered that
it was her money that had helped ma
terially to set him up in business, and
he feared to touch q cord that might
vihrate on the point. He did not July
know the real character of his wife
he did not know how holy and pure
was the soil in her soul that had thus
given life to few noxious weeds. Had
he fulN known that her present envy
was but an exotic, just sprung into life
by thoughtless transplanting, he might
have sought more earnestly to pluck II
out but he gave no heed to her words
md his own soul became the abode oil
discomfort.
Before Arthur Leeman retired that
night he told his wife he would exert
himself to outstrip his neighbor
A few evening after that, as Arthur
was returning home from his business,
he had occasion to pass his neighbor's
store. and as he saw the light cleaning
through the ehinks in the shutters, he
thought he would enter. Sharping was
there alone, and he had just closed his
ledger.
''Ha, Leeman, how are you How's
business ?" cried Sharping with the all
of y man who is well pleased with him
self
80, so SC" returned Arthur, reaching
over the counter to shake hands.
1--WE done eapitally to-day, resumed
Sharping. "A profit of S5S 50. y
Not clear net profits" said Arthur
opening his eyes.
"Yes-clear profit. Ha, ha, ha 7
And as the young merchant thu:
laughed TO himself. he leaped over the
counter and rubbed his hands exult
ingly.
but l don't see how you did it." ut
tered Arthur, in a tone of nervous visit
fitness