Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-10-14
THE YOUNG MERCHANTS ORDEAL

to me that Mr.. Sharping IS getting
ahead af you In business
"Ah Y muttered the young man
locking up from his paper.
"le4, continued lis wife. "He has
Just moved into his big house, and
expect we shall be invited to the open.
ing party
And you are not contented here
Sarah2p asked Mr. Ieeman, with g
slight tinge Of disappointment in his
tone.
'.Oh, yes, am contented; but then
should like to have YOU look as we'll
that il, To appear rs well-as William
Sharpng docs. Y0u are as well ac-
quaintcd IN the town and you are as
generally respected Your store il as
well situated, and you seem to possess
all the advantages you could wish.
wish son could keen up With Sharp
nc
Arthur I.eeman was u young mcr-
chant located ina large and fiourlshing
village, where he had been in business
nearly two years. lie Trad been brought
up by yirtuous parents, and his IDEAS
Of justice aud honesty were founded
upon deep moral principles.
shortly before tie entered business
f9r himself he married Il beautiful girl,
whom III lad long and ardently loved,
and who had ii turn reciprocated that
love. lie had received from her
w ae0, which sum had gone Il great
way toward purchasing his stock in
trade
lie rented small cottage IL neat re-
tfcd abode and here he settled down,
with every prospect Of continued hap
plness; and this happiness lie had a
tight % expect, for his wife was mid
and gentle, loving and true, and ever
rcgardful of his welfare
Iii expenses he carefully kept be-
hind his income, and, I'LL might he eX-
pccted. had made hut little domestic
show. Ili5 comforts were all solid,
based upoa Tie single idea Of content. !"
William sharping also kept store IN
thc village lie bad commenced about
the same time that Arthur did, but lie
seemed ~ have more money, for he
spent more money iii his living, and rs
already minated, lie was on the point
ofmaking astill greater show Of accum-
natlng wealth
Sharplng' s wife was an intimate friend
III Sarah Iecman and hence the latter
felt moro sensibly the contract between
her own and her neighbours outward
circumstances
Ina tew evenings, William Sharping
opened his house for the reception Of
sisitor, and, III course, Arthur and
sarah we're invited.
Arthur Lccman was wonder struck
by tire appearance Of His friends do
mostie equipment The furniture was
rich and costly, and the carpets were
all 81 tie very finest material. Large
mirrors hung upon the walls, golden
lamps adorned thc marble mantle, and
sumphIous ottomans and sofas offered
their temptations a. the weary.
What il splendid house they've got,
haven't they2' remarked one of the
guests To Sarah l.pcman.
YES. replied sarah
And rs she spoke she thought her
nteriocuter was drawing comparison
between her own aud Mrs. Sharping's
domestic establishment.
sarah heard, Oh iii hands, praises oi
the things on MI sides of her, and she
wondered why her own husband could
not a. Ill This IL well is Mr.. Sharping.
she lei the spirit OF envy into her
bosom before She was aware Of it, and
from that moment she became unhap-
py. She took no more pleasure in
viewing the costly articles about her,
and al M early hour She drew her
husband away from the company and
begged him "a "a home. When she
reached her own snug, neat little room
AS forgot alithe happiness she enjoyed
there, She only thought Of the con
trast between that and Sharping's sup
rrt parlurs
I'm sure don't see why we may
not make as good I'M appearance rs
@hatping. sire muumured, after She
md her husband became seated
caa hardly afford il now, Sarah,
returned Arthur
But why not, rs well rs William
~harping
Recourse Sharpiug has more money
lie makes more than do
II can / sce how he can do that. lie
must have one secret in trade that you
l0 mi possess q. wish that we could
Keep np NTH them People will See
that Sharplng is more prosperous, and
they will think him more Of u business
man than You are and if lie once
takes the lead II trade, he will not only
I'M sure ta keep il up, but also t. gain
on his competitors lou know how
people like to trade mt tlourishing
places
Arthur l.ecman began to think there
ms some force 10 his wife's argument.
lie. too, began Is lose sight Of the
sweet content he had been for tive
Years enjoying, and inthe stead thereof.
lie was looking for what the world
calls plenty.
Hc might III first have argued more
with his wife, but lie remembered that
i was her money that had helped ma
tcriaily u SCI him liz iii business, and
he feared g touch cord that might
NITRATE on the point He did not ,ullv
know the real character of his wife
lie did not know how holy and pure
Ms thc soil III her soul that had thus
given life To i few naxious weeds. Had
he fully known that her present envy
was hut m exotic. just sprung into life
by thoughtless trans planting, he might
have sought more earnestly to pluck it
0ut: Int liz gave liz heed 10 her words /.
Ind his own soul became the abode of
discomfort.
Before Arthur Leeman retired that
night he told his wife he would exert
himself g outstrip his neighbor.
4 few evening after that. rs Arthur
WAS returning home from his business,
he had occasion 10 pass his neighbours
store, and rs he saw the light cleaning
through the chinks in the shutters. he
thought lie would enter. Sharping was
there alone. and he had Just closed his
ledger
Ha, l.eeman. hoa are you i? How's
business = cried Sharping with the air
81 ! man who is Well pleased with HIM
self.
%, 50 So, returned Arthur, reaching
over the counter 70 shake hands.
I've done capitally TO-DAY. /" resumed
Sharping. a profit Of SOS. So"
Not clear net profit ?" said Arthur.
opening his eyes.
YES clear profit Ha. ha, hs y
And is the young merchant thus
laughed TO himself. he leaped over the
counter and rubbed his hands eNult-
ingly
But don't see how you did it." ut
tered Arthur, in tone of nervous visit
fitness.
'.Ha, la, ha What fools there are