The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-09

| myself and Ratford, and the town as il
was that morning. As I was wondering
at the ruin inside, Ratford, almost burst.
ing with anger, struck his fists together
and cried
IN sell this grocery to the first man
that makes an offer for it,"
Looking in at the window sang
out, I'll give you $500 for it,"
"All right, you can have it," said he.
81 didn't know what I was buying,
but it looked to me as if it was still
worth twice that. told him who I was,
that didn't have the money, but would
give my note, and there and then the
amid the broken jam, hardly knowing
what had done, when Lincoln came
across from his boarding house and
looked in.
whats up, Bill" said he.
81 told him what had done, and he
laughed till he nearly cried. 1t looked
so funny, he said, to see me standing
there in the copperas and sulphur, a
newly fedged merchant. "You must
have an inventory right away" said he.
Iremember that was the first time had
ever heard the word inventory, and I
had kind of dim sort of notion that it
meant another smash.up; so I said,
much obliged, Lincoln, but I don't
want any more inventories here" Then
he laughed, and explained, and pretty
soon came over and helped me to take an
account of stock. We found when we
got through that there were about $1,000
worth of goods, and I felt pretty we'll
over my bargain. Then Berry came
round. He talked to Lincoln, and
finally they offered to take up my note
to Ratford, give me horse, saddle and
bride that Berry had, and $3.50 cash for
my bargain, and 1 accepted it. The
money was all in silver, and that night I
started home had sent the grist back
during the day. feeling pretty proud.
1T was rather late when got to the
house, and when 1 opened the door,
father. who slept in the room, gruffiy
cried out, Who's that?'
Its me-" said I.
"Oh, it's the marchant," he exclaimed,
derisively. "Who you goin' to get to
clerk for you? You pack off to bed now,
mighty quick. I'll give you store in
the morning"
He was very mad, but instead of 60
ing to bed threw some kiEdling on the
fire, and it blazed up, making bright
light. I took a handful of silver out and
threw it ON the table.
whats that" said father.
''I've sold the store,' replied.
so, you hev," said he. "And how
much did you make?"
Il don't know said I. Il want to
get it out of my clothes" and 1 began
tho c;1rar -, oil d;roo<;o,, Jro,,
ing it out of every pocket. Pretty soon |
he raised up on his elbows and looked
at me.
said he. Still went on until he opened
his eyes in amazement, and then l told
him what had done.
..Here. Lizzie" he cried TO mother, as
I got through. "Get up, and get this
boy good supper. He's had q hard
days work"
''It was all right then?'
sWell. the result was that Ratford
give me up my note and take
Lincoln and Berry's, but let it remain as
il was. and it afterwards gave Lincoln
and myself infinite trouble. The war |
broke out and things went wrong with |
the new firm. the note went into the |
hands OF Peter Vanbergen, still living |
in Springfield, and We renewed 1t sew
eral times at twenty-five per cent. |
Finally it reached 5000, and Lincoln,
while dolefully discussing the slim pros
pect of ever paying it, used to call 1t the
national debt. A few years later went
into Kentucky to teach school, and LIN
coin removing to Springfield, began to
earn something at the law. and between
us we at last paid it. 1t was several years
though, before he got ahead enough to
paw me for my share, but he did at last,
and that was the end Of the grocery
business"
Ibid Lincoln feel bad over his fail
ure %
"Well, he felt bad at his inability to
pay the note, which he had agreed to
nav. but he became satiied that he was
not cut out for business man. Douglas
told me after his famous campaign with
Lincoln that he thought one day he
would give the latter rap over the sa-
loon business, as he calls it, and so he
tauntingly referred to the fact that he
practiced behind the bar at Salem. and
did it with much grace if not with re-
markable success.
"Lincoln received the taunt good ma
turedly, and, replying, said that though
he did not achieve wealth or distinc-
ton while engaged on his side OF the
bar at Salem, he was able TO testify 70 the
Il T. L.