News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-12-21
A DANDY IN TRADE.
SHATTERED BY THE FIRST STORM.

SHATTERED BY THE FIRST STORM.
At the ripe age of twenty-one Harr
Melville decided to go into business O
his own account.
'Wait until you are twenty-five" sal
Harry's prudent father.
''And lose four years p returned Har
ry, almost with indignation. ''It
folly"
"And gain ten," said old Melville
''The earlier young man goes into busi
ness the oftener he has got to fail before
he grows wise enough and strong enough
for success. My advice is to wait unit
you are thirty. There will be ter
chances in your favor then to one in YOU
favor now"
Harry, however, considered his father
old-fashiOned and behind the times. and
so let his prudent counsel go for nought.
Harry had been three years in city
house and considered himself fully posted
up in business matters, and quite equal
to the common run of traders. Indeed,
his talk ON matters of trade was quite ed
flying; and an uninitiated listener could
hardly have failed to give him credit for
considerable more knowledge than was
his due
Harry Melville had ten thousand dol
lars left to him by an uncle. Upon this
sum he commenced business, in company
with young friend about his own age,
and about equally experienced.
Ten thousand dollars in cash was some
thing of basis for credit; and although
our young traders expended twenty-five
hundred in fitting up their place of busi-
ness, they found no difficulty whatever
In stocking it with more than all the
goods they needed.
The times were propitious. Money
was cheap. Everybody bought and
everybody sold with scarcely the for
mality of inquiry as to the basis upon
which confidence rested. In less than
two years Melville and Morris were doing
business at the fast rate of many thou
sands per annum, and making fabulous
profits. To marry, and set up expensive
domestic establishments, came as nat
ural result. Both the young partners
committed this additional folly. To
marry would have been well enough, if
modest Prudence had smiled her quiet
blessing ON the rites. But, as it was,
silly pride and weak ambition reigned
triumphant.
Old Mr. Melville shook his head,
looked grave, and demonstrated in pri-
vate with his son; but Harry grew i'm
patient at the old gentleman's narrow
minded interference, and finally requested
him to waive the repetition of language
that was only felt as an annoyance.
Of course the father was hurt, and did
not go near his son for some weeks. As
peace offering Harry bought a new
house, for which he paid down one-half
in'cash, and gave bills for the remainder
With the title deeds in his pocket, he
called at the modest paternal residence.
Mr.. Melville received his son kindly,
yet not with the accustomed cordiality,
their last interview stung him severely,
and the pain had not yet subsided.
''What are these ?" asked the elder
Mr.. Melville, as Harry laid upon a table
before his father the title deeds of the
new house.
''Read them, was the smiling answer
With half-curious manner, Mr.. Mel
vile opened a broad parchment sheet.
His eyes glanced hrlrriedly over the con-
tents; but his face, instead of brighten
ing, grew clouded.
Explain this, Harry" he said, look
ing up at his son.
'Does it not explain itself, father ?"
said Harry.
''No'' replied Mr.. Melville, and he
shook his head to make his ''no" still
more emphatic.
81 have always looked forward to this
time with a pleasure that words can
hardly express" said Harry, leaning
toward his father, and speaking with a
sudden warmth of manner. ''These
papers are simply the title-deeds of a
house which is yours. Take them as
some small return for all that L owe you
sons debt to a good father can never
be wholly cancelled.
Mr. Melville was touched by this act,
and softened by the manner of his son.
For almost minute he sat with his gaze
upon the floor. Then, looking up, he
said, in a low voice that trembled with
suppressed feeling:
"My dear boy, it pains me deeply to
refuse what, In the generous impulse of
your heart, is now so freely offered. But
this house is not yours to give, and
therefore honor and right compel me to
decline its acceptance. "
"Not mine to give p exclaimed Harry.
Z" Father, what do you mean? %
1T belongs to your creditors, Harry. -
"My creditors p said Harry. cam /.
then, only a bankrupt in your eyes
Father, this is too much. -
You are scarcely two years in bust